Coolant

[HowardSmall]

I have a series 2a 2.25 petrol ex-army. With the help of some friends have just replaced four Welch plugs, drain tap and one inch screw plug. The plug was aluminium (now steel) and it has been suggested the green coolant may have helped it corrode.


First question: why not just use water as the coolant like we did when I bought my first car (1961)? I live in Kuranda so there is no chance of the water freezing!


Second question: if I must use a coolant, what is best?


Howard

[chazza]

... The plug was aluminium (now steel) and it has been suggested the green coolant may have helped it corrode.

First question: why not just use water as the coolant like we did when I bought my first car (1961)? I live in Kuranda so there is no chance of the water freezing!

Second question: if I must use a coolant, what is best?

Howard

Using corrosion inhibitor at the correct strength, will prevent corrosion between dissimilar metals in solution. As the radiator is copper and brass; the core-plugs brass, or steel; and as you discovered some aluminium bits as well; mixed with cast iron, the recipe is set for a corrosion disaster if you just fill it with water.

I use Castrol corrosion inhibitor, or Castrol Anti-boil Anti-freeze both of which stop internal corrosion completely. Most products on the market work well it seems, so the brand is not really relevant.

Cheers Charlie

[gromit]

As per Charlie's post, use a corrosion inhibitor or anti-freeze at the correct dilution and change at the correct interval.
The green coolant would only have caused corrosion if it had been left in the system for too long. 'Green' doesn't confirm what type the coolant is (IAT, OAT, HOAT etc.) but if it was a traditional coolant it should have been changed after 2 years.

Anti-freeze/anti-boil raises the boiling point of the coolant as well as lowering the freezing point.
You will always have someone telling you that "you don't need anti-freeze in Australia", which is strictly speaking correct but.....it's the corrosion inhibitor you need. The inhibitor only works when you mix at the stated ratio so if it says 33% then that's what you need.

Also, use tankwater or demineralised water rather than tapwater although some States claim their water has few impurities.

I looked into coolants a while ago http://www.aulro.com/afvb/series-land-rovers/154742-coolants-older-engines.html


Colin