coolant

[gtiscott]

i have to top up coolant for the first time, going to use G12(is this correct stuff), can i just top up with this or should i drain and refill as the stuff thats in looks more like just water?

scott

[Mikester]

Its worth draining it and refilling it, might aswell, not to hard and that way you can be sure whats in there for next time

[gtiscott]

cheers mike, do you put G12 in by itself or does it get mixed with water?

[Mikester]

Its pre mixed im fairly sure, and i think there is a later G13 now  Not sure about that though.

[mattkh]

Hi
I last used G12+ which should never be mixed with G12.
The G12+ never came premixed.
G13 is a new one on me.

[Pete Taylor]

Put some rad flush in then drain the lot and refill with G12 or the ready mixed Halfrauds pink stuff is just as good

[gtiscott]

whats the best way to drain and is it just a case of draining then filling back up?...how long should it take?

[Pete Taylor]

To drain it all out, make sure the engine is hot and remove the bottom radiator hose with the top off the coolant expansion bottle. Might want to wear gloves though to stop yourself needing skin grafts. Refill back up with your mixed coolant after re-attaching the hose, when the level is right in the expansion bottle, give the rad hoses a squeeze to help the air out. Leave the car ticking over until got to allow all the air to get out of the system then top up again because the level will drop

[gtiscott]

cool, so how much coolant should i buy? and do you leave the cap off after you fill back up to let air come out?

[Pete Taylor]

I think it's a 5 litre bottle from Halfrauds, that'll leave you plenty should you ever need to top it up again in the future. running the engine after initially filling otherwise there'll be a bigBest just leave the cap on one turn when  pressure buildup