What a great reliable car

[COLVERT]

Originally Posted by Dorchester2

One only coolant swap within 13 years! Blimey what kind of antifreeze are you using?

Halfords.---Don't you just love 'em ??----

[Dorchester2]

Originally Posted by COLVERT

Halfords.---Don't you just love 'em ??----

Living in France as you do, easier going to the seller up our street, isn't it?
I'm only using -37° orange coolant, that can accept temperature from -37° up to 111°. I love a big security margin!
But I swap every 2 or 3 years, fuelling up the tank with full E85, and once a year for oil (5W40 recommended to ease the cold starts).
And my 75 auto (as well as my 214 cabby) is garaged and thanks to Torque always connected when running, I'm keeping the coolant temperature in control, and thanks to E85, generally between 75° & 80° when cruising, even in summer.
All is fine & blissful so far.

[bl52krz]

Originally Posted by COLVERT

Waterways and header tank perfectly clean

Specific gravity perfect.--Checked with a hydrometer.


PS. You can also see how clear the anti-freeze is.

Are you saying I have been wasting my time changing it every four years ?

[COLVERT]

Originally Posted by bl52krz

Are you saying I have been wasting my time changing it every four years ?

There are quite large safety margins on most of these types of liquid changes.---The manufacturers don't want any problems and they can also sell more.--Probably double.-

My 2003 car is still using the original brake fluid, clutch fluid and power steering oil.---Oh, and the original gas/liquid in the air-con.

However the engine oil and filter are changed at no more than 10,000 mile intervals.

[nubsey]

Don't know whn my antifreeze was last done. Will pull a bit out and stick it in the freezer and see what happens.

[COLVERT]

Originally Posted by nubsey

Don't know whn my antifreeze was last done. Will pull a bit out and stick it in the freezer and see what happens.

Get a hydrometer. Don't cost much.---

[pletevl]

Originally Posted by nubsey

Don't know whn my antifreeze was last done. Will pull a bit out and stick it in the freezer and see what happens.

It's not just about temperature though, it's about anti corrosion properties that diminue and start eating away the aluminium the coolant is in contact with. Pitting the head surface for example.

Pete.

[edwardmk]

Originally Posted by COLVERT

There are quite large safety margins on most of these types of liquid changes.---The manufacturers don't want any problems and they can also sell more.--Probably double.-

My 2003 car is still using the original brake fluid, clutch fluid and power steering oil.---Oh, and the original gas/liquid in the air-con.

However the engine oil and filter are changed at no more than 10,000 mile intervals.

It's not straightforward to distinguish between marketing and necessary maintenance. My favourite is the example of the shampoo company that wanted to increase sales. They hired as consultant who came up with the immortal line 'rinse and repeat' to be added to the instructions which was apparently very successful! I stopped 'rinse and repeat' years ago when I first heard this and to date the hair is still there With car maintenance I prefer to err on the side of caution where possible. Should I be worried about 2% water in my daughters's 2002 Astra?

[Annielou]

I bought my ZT KV6 three years ago because my Slaab broke and was beyond repair...
The Black Banger was cheap, MOT’d and local.
I do like the look of the ZT’s, they have an almost classic style.
It was a stop gap car.
Three years later it’s still going, still passes the MOT with the odd advisory and I have grown quite fond of it.
It is, touch wood, reliable. It really is a good car.
The thing that gets me is that there is no corrosion anywhere on it.
Underrated motor car in my opinion.

[COLVERT]

Originally Posted by edwardmk

It's not straightforward to distinguish between marketing and necessary maintenance. My favourite is the example of the shampoo company that wanted to increase sales. They hired as consultant who came up with the immortal line 'rinse and repeat' to be added to the instructions which was apparently very successful! I stopped 'rinse and repeat' years ago when I first heard this and to date the hair is still there With car maintenance I prefer to err on the side of caution where possible. Should I be worried about 2% water in my daughters's 2002 Astra?

Depends where the water is in the car. In the ECU; start worrying.---