Coolant good or not so good?

[WazzerM]

Can anyone tell me if the colour I see in the coolant expansion tank is as expected - grubby brown?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/92786605@N ... hotostream

The colour at the filler in the boot is a nice pink!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/92786605@N ... hotostream

All thought appreciated, cheers

[j61]

Hi Wazzer
Im not the greatest of experts but first question is when was the coolant last changed? what was it like at that stage?
Could it be possible a mix of coolants have been used?
Im sure theres someone technical here who can answer you question in more detail.......good luck.

ps. did you see my post about the engine bay cover

John

[WazzerM]

The coolant (I hope) was changed at the service they gave it at purchase a few months ago - they told me that 'pink' anti-freeze had been used. Maybe the colour's normal at the tank but just want to be sure.

[jmgarage]

The coolant should be red/pink coloured, known as lifetime antifreeze, but it is anything but lifetime.

Typically it starts out as pink, but turns brown with age, at which point it no longer properly protects from freezing or corrosion, which is why it turns brown, it means the aluminium and steel in the system is corroding.

It takes a lot longer than a few months to become brown, unless they just changed the coolant in the tank, rather than completely draining and flushing the system

Get it properly drained, flushed and changed. May be a good time to have the radiators and waterpump inspected closely to see if it is worth changing them at the same time, as sods law says that you will have the coolant changed and a couple of months later the rads or waterpump will need changing