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Thread ID: 136817	2014-04-17 03:42:00	Car coolant	Renmoo (66)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1372907	2014-04-17 03:42:00	Hi all, I drive a Toyota Starlet 1997 car. The coolant level is approaching low, so I bought a bottle of that from the local Caltex. On the back of the bottle, the instruction says to flush out the existing coolant first before adding new coolant to it. Two questions: 1) How important is it to flush out the old coolant first before adding the new lot? Rather than doing that, can I just add the new coolant straight into it? Which leads me to the second question - 2) What dilution factor should I follow? The bottle says it is "concentrated", but it does not provide a guide as to how much of water to add to the coolant. Cheers :)	Renmoo (66)
1372908	2014-04-17 03:52:00	It's definitly ok to add to the existing coolant, unless of course there's evidence of rust in the radiator. I've no idea about the ratio - depends on the brand.	Greg (193)
1372909	2014-04-17 03:54:00	Hi Greg. Thank you for your reply. Question 3: Some websites say to add 50% of each. Can I add, e.g. 100ml of coolant first, then add 100ml of water next? Or do I need to pour them into a bucket, mix them well, before pouring the mixture into the car cooling system?	Renmoo (66)
1372910	2014-04-17 03:59:00	If it's on low then just top it up with water. If you are finding your car is losing coolant then it has issues.	Alex B (15479)
1372911	2014-04-17 05:01:00	Hi all, I drive a Toyota Starlet 1997 car. The coolant level is approaching low, so I bought a bottle of that from the local Caltex. Two questions: 1) How important is it to flush out the old coolant first before adding the new lot? 2) What dilution factor should I follow? Cheers :) So it's losing water? Best to check hoses, radiator itself etc... You can't overheat modern motors, they're history in 5 minutes.....It leaks, then overheats, well...goodbye car. As for antifreeze, you can do 50/50, even 30/70 (70 water) is OK. Top it up - or add new - doesn't matter really. But it won't cure the problem.	pctek (84)
1372912	2014-04-17 06:22:00	If you can’t remember when you last added water, just top it up with water and keep an eye on it. If you have been topping it up regularly, take the Radiator Cap off and start the motor. Then take a look in the top of the Radiator whilst giving it a rev. If water blows out or you see bubbles you probably have a cracked head or blown head gasket. If that appears fine a check of the Radiator and associate hoses including the heater hoses is in order. By now you should have an idea what the problem is should you actually have one. ;)	B.M. (505)
1372913	2014-04-17 10:05:00	Unless you know the product you have purchased is compatible with the existing cooling system protectorant, I would follow the advise on the container and flush the old coolant out first. There have been instances of mismatched products reacting and causing a kind of jelly (flocuation) - that is not good for your engine. May be only a small chance, but not worth the risk imo. Dilution is often 4 or 5 to 1 for protectorants (should advise on container or at least manufacturer's website) - antifreeze usually requires a higher concentration (less dilution).	wuppo (41)
1372914	2014-04-17 20:30:00	There is 2 types of coolant available and they can't be mixed,one is for a all aluminum engine which you will have and the other coolant is for a cast Iron Block and Aluminum head Read the instructions on the back If you change it completely find a Forum on your car and there will be step by step instructions in changing	Lawrence (2987)
1372915	2014-04-18 01:36:00	He won't have an all alloy engine at all. E series Toyotas engines are cast iron block.	Alex B (15479)
1372916	2014-04-18 06:08:00	If its green get green coloured coolant if its pink get pink coloured coolant. But most importantly buy a coolant sg meter and make absolutely super buku sure it never drops below 50% add concentrate to keep it at 50% Some tips do it cold soaked and calibrate your coolant sg meter at 50 with 50% coolant and 50% water make mark on the meter. Squillion things for coolant loss but 3 easy ones to check is it bubbling in the radiator or recovery tank with pressure cap off?(head gasket cracked head) Is the carpet wet in the front footwells( heater issues) Is there some pools of water under the car overnight external leak from a hose or fitting) assuming they arent from the a/c unit. Nothing with car is rocket science they havent changed much since 1898	prefect (6291)
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