Forum:
My '07 Sirion 1.3 has the factory-filled red antifreeze, which I have always thought had a life of 5 years. I have been told recently that I was wrong in assuming this and my stuff has a 2 year life span. The service manual does call for a 2 year change. I had aways thought that blue or green was 2 year, and red or pink 5 years. Has anybody any views on this subject?
The colour is irrelevant,
The colour is irrelevant, mine is pink and long life, which lasts 5 years.
It is better to change it earlier, or at the recommended intervals as anti freeze is a misnomer. Its primary function is corrosion inhibition, and the reason it is changed at specific intervals, its secondary function is preventing freezing.
This is due to various types of metals and plastics, as well as rubber components in contact with the anti freeze mixture. A condition called electrolytic reaction occurs with differing metal types and creates the sludge within the cooling system. Electrolytic reaction also creates metallic flakes to be deposited into this sludge, so a combination which will block a cooling system, or at least impede its capabilities.
Anti freeze also prevents deterioration of head gaskets and these various rubber or plastic seals and fittings. This is why there are various types and service intervals.
Thanks.
Excellent answer Assassin. I take on board what you say about corrosion inhibition. I had better get it changed ASAP.
Anti freeze
I started experimenting with anti freezes a year back
after i had the second suprize of a badly coroded enjin in my fleet. the anti freeze in both cases were replaced regulary.
and on te other hand relpaced a waterpump om a car that had no change for 9 years 180 000 km. And amazingly all the parts were as shiny as new.
It had a yelow brownish beer like anti freeze.
With in the next two weeks i took samples from 4 cars existing antifreeze and placed a shiny metal nail with aluminum foil wraped on one end in snall clear botles. I also did the same with all samples of new anti freezes that i could find from my frends.
And made one with just tap water.
After 3 days i was horified at the results of some samples the nail had dubled in visual thicness with rust farr worse than just water. in only 3 days
and that was on new anti freeses.
but on the other hand i have samples still shiny as new
and some of them are the cheap ones.
The worst one was one the familear luminess green ones. and it frose at only -2 deg C at a 20% mixture.
were the norm was -8 to -15
So i sugest If you have a good LL (Long life)
anti freeze in at the moment. yelow,brown,red,bloo
take a sample and watch the nail. if it is still ok after a week or two relax.
You could do more harm by relacing the antifreeze.
and save the enviroment aswell.