Coolant refill - what to use?

[exaltd]

Hi guys,

Just wondering (as always)... I've been running a little low on coolant for some reason (there's 1/3 left over the low line) and was wondering what I could do to top it up.

I was thinking of either buying some coolant (but I don't know which one to buy! ) or just diluting the existing coolant in water.

Advice please. Hopefully soon, so I can take advantage of the 20% today at SCA stores.

Will the Nulon Green or Castrol Green ones do fine? What would you guys recommend? Thanks heaps!

-EXALTD-

[The X]

LOL. i was googling the same thing! (Not that i'm running out in my resorvoir). Wait for an answer in the morning. SIR-VRX wil probably chime in, no doubt. LOL

[exaltd]

LOL, agreed

[SIR-VRX]

hahaha you guys

I only ever use Genuine Coolant for top ups and new coolant after a flush (45,000 service)

Coolant is one of those things which you should not mix brands/types at one time. And for a full cooling system flush, genuine is best to avoid any damage to alloys, seals etc

My 2c

[exaltd]

Oh crap....

What to do then? Running seriously low - and not servicing til March due to money issues....

[SIR-VRX]

Go and buy some from Mitsubishi

Should be able to get 1L bottle

--

Make sure you don't go over your scheduled service KMs or time by too much... And a service costs <$70 DIY

[Sickbunny]

Adrian, just wondering is the Mitsubishi one a concentrate or ready to go?

[exaltd]

Hehehe, reading the owner's manual...

7L coolant tank?!? Seriously?!? So big..... doesn't coolant only come in 1L bottles?

Damn....... $$$

[SIR-VRX]

exaltd, you don't need to fill up with 7L

Your expansion tank is not 7L, it's 0.65L. The whole cooling system capacity is 7L.

So your top-up will be less than litre.

It is a concentrate, so you make up to the strength require. 50:50 is usually the norm.

[exaltd]

Nooooooo........... *sigh* this is getting annoying now....

My dad says if you mix wrongly, you get the wrong consistency and/or the wrong sort of mixture.... it can become disastrous.......

He's done it twice in his lifetime, and twice it has cost a fortune to fix the damage.... a fortune I don't have..... I guess I'll just have to pay Mitsu to do it for me

[SIR-VRX]

Just do this:

1. Go to dealer
2. Buy 1L bottle of "Dia Queen Super Long Life Coolant" (Genuine coolant)
3. Get a measuring jug.
4. Pour 250ml Coolant in jug, then add 250ml of clean water.
5. Top up reserve tank to correct level (Lower line when engine cold)
6. Keep any left over MIXED coolant in a separate bottle (Juice container etc BUT mark with "MIXED COOLANT")
7. Win

Damage can be done in 2 ways mainly:

1. When the concentration is not correct. 50:50 and you can't go wrong. Our cars specify a mixture between 30-60% so plenty of lee-way.

2. The wrong type of coolant is used, resulting in corrosion of alloys in the motor etc . Hence why I specified genuine coolant

[SIR-VRX]

Another alternative:

If it's only a bees dick off being at the required level, just add a bit of clean water. It's not going to effect the mixture much at all.

[exaltd]

Well.... 2 more months til scheduled servicing.... and at 1/3 level above low.... with summer really kicking in (aircon naturally), whats your recommendation? top up with coolant? or dilute with water?

[SIR-VRX]

Just top it up with clean water... Will only take a small amount, will not effect anything with such a small dilution.

Trust me

[exaltd]

Clarify (I'm really noob at maintainance and am a strong believer in just letting a mechanic do it for you as long as you service properly and regularly )....

By clean water, do you mean tap water taken in by a clean jug or something, or do you mean clean distilled water?