2003 cdti zt - cooling fluid low. What do i use?

[BigBeere]

HI all ,

I'm doing a 300 mile journey in the next few days and wanted to check the car over before i set off just for peace of mind.

Engine oil was fine, the other bits and bobs all seemed at the correct level, but when i come across the Yellow Cooling Box at the front of the engine bay, I unscrewed the cap and I couldn't even see the fluid, wasn't even at the 'low' mark - obviously this caused some concern!

I'm quite a novice when it comes to engines, but have a fairly good idea what i'm looking at, or what i've got to do.

Once discovering my poor car was dying of thirst, I got the cars manual out and checked it out.

It states: " If the level is below the MAX mark, top up with 50% mix of water and ethylene glycol based anti freeze (containing no methanol) with Organic Acid Technology (OAT) corrosion inhibitors, meeting BTC coding type 4E"

This all sounds very confusing to me, i bought a bottle of anti freeze at Christmas which i used for the ice cold temperatures we had. I'm presuming that's the incorrect stuff to put into the car!

Is there anything specific i can ask if i were to go into Halfords or anything?

Thanking you all very much!:bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

[T-Cut]

The MGR specified coolant is a 1:1 by volume mixture of 'OAT' type antifreeze concentrate and water (tap water is fine, distilled is better). OAT antifreeze is coloured red/pink/orange to differentiate it from various other formulas.It must not be mixed with any other colour or will quickly deactivate the inhibitors that stop corrosion, etc.

You can get OAT from any motoring shop. Halfords is OK but expensive, particularly their ready mixed type (already 1:1 with water). The best deals by far are from EuroCarParts right here on the forum, especially with the 25% member discount.

If you don't know what type of antifreeze is already in use you need to drain a little off to check. It should be quite distinctly coloured, maybe red/pink, but it could be blue, green, fluorescent yellow, etc. If it isn't red/pink or the colour is non-existent, I suggest you drain it down completely, thoroughly hose flush the system and refill with fresh stuff. It doesn't have to be OAT, but that's what MGR (and most current manufacturers) recommend.

EDIT: Don't over-fill the header (yellow) tank.This is how the level should look with a stone cold engine.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y191/waveguide/CorrectLevel_T-Cut-1.jpg

TC

[BigBeere]

Thank you for the speedy reply!

I'll have a look at the colour, i think its yellow, but ill have a check.

Where/how do i drain the whole system? is this a fairly straight forward job?

:bowdown::bowdown:

[FrenchMike]

Hi,

In your place ,i'll firstly look for the leak ;yes there is a leak somewhere .:shrug:

On mine within 10 years ,i never add one drop of coolant !

Then ,that will be the opportunity of renew the whole coolant ...

Mike

[BigBeere]

Ohhhhh daaammnnnn :mad:

I was hoping that wouldnt be the case! i'll have a look at the engine now, the colour of the coolant and see if i can see anything under the car or liquid in places there shouldnt be !

Is there any usual places it could be in?

:bowdown:

[FrenchMike]

Ohhhhh daaammnnnn :mad:

I was hoping that wouldnt be the case! i'll have a look at the engine now, the colour of the coolant and see if i can see anything under the car or liquid in places there shouldnt be !

Is there any usual places it could be in?

:bowdown:

I think, gaskets around the pump (items 16/17)or a T piece right in front of the bloc (item 7)...

http://rovermg1.free.fr/rovermg/thumbnails/oCR5Wu1N2F1a3OPh4dWJ.jpg (http://rovermg1.free.fr/rovermg/images/oCR5Wu1N2F1a3OPh4dWJ.jpg)

[BigBeere]

Thanks for the diagram - i had a loook, i cant see any liquid anywhere, or under the car. I took a swab of what i could in the coolant tank and it looked to me a red/pink colour - from the eurocarparts site, it only has Purple for my particular car.

Slightly worrying as i will be going to work in her tomorrow, as shes my daily user.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/BeereBelly/20130807_200732_zps30e07d5d.jpg (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/BeereBelly/media/20130807_200732_zps30e07d5d.jpg.html)

[FrenchMike]

Don't worry too much about that micro leak ;i guess it's in that condition long since...

[T-Cut]

- - - from the eurocarparts site, it only has Purple for my particular car.

Don't use the car registration search system, it's not good for stuff like antifreeze. If you know what you want, go to the antifreeze choices and pick the OAT. They call it 'red antifreeze' not 'OAT'. The search engine is rubbish.

Red Antifreeze: http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-accessories/engine-oils-and-car-fluids/antifreeze-and-screenwash/red-antifreeze/?523770481&0&cc5_866

Don't forget to try the forum discount code! And free delivery - can't get better anywhere.

TC

[BigBeere]

Thanks for all your help, im going to order a bottle of Red. As long as its topped up im happy, soon as im back from my trip ill be booking her in for her service.

Thanks all :):bowdown: