I will be replacing my timing belt soon which requires draining the coolant. Every guide i've read mentions replacing the coolant. Is this really necessary? As long as I drain it into a clean bucket can't I just re-use it?

You can re use it yeah. Not something id personally do tho as I am OCD.

Would you re use engin oil even if you had a new filter? No reason why yOu can't, but it will be full of crud and rust and god knows what else, for what it costs buy new?

It won't be full of rust at all, assuming the concentration was kept adequate, and only the correct type of coolant used to top up. In fact one of the main purposes of the coolant is to prevent rust. I remember reading somewhere that the coolant in the system is somehow better for it than new coolant, because of some sort of chemical reaction. Can't recall the details.

I personally would be worried that no matter how much effort I put in ensuring the coolant was drained to be kept clean and re-usable, that something would end up contaminating it. Then of course you may as well not bother draining it carefully and stick new stuff in.

to my mind it also depends on the age of the coolant, if been in 3-4 years due for change anyway, but if only been in a few months or so may be worth considering your options

as it is for a timing belt replacement that would suggest 4 years or more so time for change me thinks

also if you are doing timing belt consider replacing the water pump as you have everything out and it is just unbolt and replace

Up to you but for the pittance G12 costs I'd rather put fresh in and know it was done till the next interval.

Up to you but for the pittance G12 costs I'd rather put fresh in and know it was done till the next interval.

Same here. Get it changed, then you can forget about it for a few years.

I agree for the cost just replace it dude.

Can you re-use coolant? Yes

Should you re-use coolant? No

That is all...

Cheers for the replies. I think I'll agree that for the sake of cost I'll just replace it. I simply presumed that the coolant would not become contaminated

Edited 13 June, 201213 yr by piggoy

Can you re-use coolant? Yes

Should you re-use coolant? No

That is all...

Kind like can I drink my own P155 really

Got to agree with most on here.

I often reuse it, unless it is dirty/contaminated. I have an antifreeze tester which tells me if it's still providing protection and down to what temperature.

No need to change it unless there is something wrong with it!

If I spill a glass of pop then use a cloth to soak it up I could easily ring it out back into the glass and drink it, it's still be fizzy... Then again at less than £1 a 2ltr bottle for Coke (BOGOF) is it even worth considering at 15p a glass?

Interesting that some people think it would be

"

If I spill a glass of pop then use a cloth to soak it up I could easily ring it out back into the glass and drink it, it's still be fizzy... Then again at less than £1 a 2ltr bottle for Coke (BOGOF) is it even worth considering at 15p a glass?

Interesting that some people think it would be "

Crikey, it's £1.50 for two 2-litre bottles here in the midlands, you say that you could easily ring it out and drink it again, I am sorry but I have to dissagree, I buy it to throw down the toilet as it makes an excellent and cheap toilet cleaner. Quite frankly i would hate to have to drink it, and drinking Coolant would be worse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

Oh sorry, is there any way to disable the evil warning 'beep beep beep' erm...... beeper as we have another little fault, this time its the coolant temp warning light and beeper on start up, or not, depending on the amount of ambient dampness, which is about 99% most of the time, grrrrrr. :sun:

mintgreen