Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: file28 on 02 January 2008, 04:55:34

Title: which type of anti freeze?
Post by: file28 on 02 January 2008, 04:55:34

would the type of anti freeze used make a difference to the way my cooling system behaves,ie now running on bog standard and seems to be frothing with a lot of pressure in the bottle,no mayo in oil filler or on the dipstick neither oil in the coolant and the engine run smooth

Title: Re: which type of anti freeze?
Post by: tunnie on 02 January 2008, 10:10:45

should not make a difference, i should imagine they are all much the same.

Only thing i can think of is the new stuff is creating a reaction with the old stuff. Did you go from blue to red Vx anti-freeze?

Did you topup the system with the new stuff or do a full flush and change? If just a topup, follow my guide for flushing coolant in the maintaince section.... try flushing it though 3/4 times with fresh water, then fill with 50/50 mix anti-freeze  :y

Title: Re: which type of anti freeze?
Post by: Markjay on 02 January 2008, 12:41:53

As said...

In principal it is standard antifreeze, though Vx own brand is best for long term maintenance etc.

A good starting point would be to thoroughly drain and flush the cooling system, then refill will Vauxhall Red Anti-freeze and take it from there...

See the maintenance Guides section for more info...

Title: Re: which type of anti freeze?
Post by: ians on 02 January 2008, 13:55:41

frothing sounds odd - is there some additive in there by any chance?
pressurisation when hot is normal as long as its not ridiculous (rock hard hoses etc)

Title: Re: which type of anti freeze?
Post by: file28 on 02 January 2008, 17:14:59

thanks for all the info,will try and flush through at the weekend.

Title: Re: which type of anti freeze?
Post by: Bandit127 on 02 January 2008, 18:34:06

Red, or longlife antifreeze is based on propylene glycol. Blue or standard is based on ethylene glycol.

PG antifreeze is generally rated for 5 years, 150,000 miles). It has a lower heat transfer capacity than EG.

However, if you are planning to drink it - PG is less toxic than EG if swallowed.

Both seem about the same environmentally.

There doesn't seem to be a problem mixing PG and EG, however it does reduce service life of PG to 2 years.

There is a suggestion that mixing PG with old organic (green) antifreeze can cause sludge - so is not ok.

Hope this helps.

Jim

Title: Re: which type of anti freeze?
Post by: file28 on 04 January 2008, 06:01:04

thanks jim as for drinking it i will stick to the cold one i have in the fridge :y

Title: Re: which type of anti freeze?
Post by: old cruiser on 04 January 2008, 14:38:42

The frothing you talk about; have you at any stage put something like RadWeld in the cooling system as this causes frothing and can only really be flushed out properly with engine/coolant hot  due to it's nature, not recommended due to scaulding etc though, have done it myself but that's me taking my usual risks!!
Cheers Pete