Robin Posted September 20, 2017 Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 I'm thinking of tidying up the top of the bulkhead on my mk 2 - primarily to rub down and repaint the area around the brake and clutch m/s but to make it easier to spray I may as well remove the heater box as well. Do I need to drain the entire cooling system in order to do this? Thanks Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 20, 2017 Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 Hello Robin. I guess the key question is, when did you last drain the system ?? A cooling system can never be drained, flushed and cleaned too often when the opportunity presents itself. To answer your Q, you will need to ensure that the heating system is fully open and in the hot position. With that ensured, draining 50% of the system will be fine for your work on the heater box. On replacing the coolant ensure you use a new mixture rather than that drained. Personally, I would drain in full and replace in full with brand new mix; additionally do not use tap water but buy distilled from the supermarket (cheap as chips) as this prevents unnecessary corrosion within the system along with your anti corrosion additive what ever that may be. Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted September 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 Hi Richard Thanks for the advice i actually replaced the coolant earlier this year with pink fluid bought from the club shop. I've read elsewhere that the coolant should be blue so I'm not sure if got the right stuff. Any thoughts? Robin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 20, 2017 Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 Hello Robin. I use blue, although I believe green is suitable as well; whatever you do, do not mix the different colours. Pink is normally OAT, so that would be incorrect; although that said some manufacturers are now using pink coloured AF to indicate it is long life up to 5yrs. Have always found Granville Sub Zero (blue) an excellent product and currently in both of my classics. For instance: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Granville-Sub-Zero-BLUE-Car-Antifreeze-Summer-Coolant-Concentrate-Long-Life-5L-/221956374324?epid=1242039796&hash=item33ada17f34:g:P9oAAOSwwE5WXaIC It's just my personal opinion obviously. Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted September 20, 2017 Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 Richard, this is interesting stuff. I know little about antifreeze, which is probably why I currently have drain plug blockage. This would be a good topic for the next twiddle day. What is OAT? Do you have any informative links? Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted September 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 This the coolant I bought from the club shop - can't see anything that says OAT so not sure if this is ok? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted September 20, 2017 Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 4 life is just that , its not OAT , but must not be topped up or mixed with water Seems its recommended for old classic and vintage cars Never mix oat with 4 life or glycol types Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 20, 2017 Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 Hello Robin. I've not seen this before, but I have no doubt that if the club shop is selling it, it is doing so for the correct reasons and you can feel safe with it. Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Posted September 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 Yes - thought if the shop was selling it then it should be ok. Take the point about not adding water . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 20, 2017 Report Share Posted September 20, 2017 Hello Doug. The following link may prove useful: http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/imgytr/hints&tips/antifreeze.pdf That said, there is certainly a need to try and produce a consolidated document outlining the different types of AF with their pro's and con's - plenty on the Web but in piecemeal form. Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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