I've just picked the car up from its annual service and MOT. I had to go to the local Skoda dealer because I didn't have time to go to my normal indy. The difference was £50 and I suppose they did the give it a good clean inside and out. So £200 for a service and MOT instead of my usual £150. :(

The question is though… when I picked it up, the service manager mentioned that he hadn't done the anti-freeze yet because the anti-freeze in my car only has a -20ºC limit. Apparently the recommended UK limit is -27ºC. I've never heard this before but he said it would be another £50 to flush out and put the new stuff in (2 litres), or they could just top up with normal anti-freeze. I'm thinking that when I get my service every year, all the top-ups with 'new' anti-freeze should have flushed any old out? Unless the garage has been putting the old in every year?

What does anyone else think about this? Should I have gone for all-new stuff? I was trying to imagine what it would be like if the temperature dropped to -20ºC and it brought tears to my eyes :'(

I also got two advisories for corroded rear discs (they're a Mintex Brake Box and only fitted last year so I won't be getting those again) and a deteriorated front velocity joint gaiter. Service Manager said £157 all-in to fix the gaiter so I'll probably go to the Indy for that.

Any thoughts? Cheers

G12 and derivatives are OK for UK use at any ratio from 3:2 to 2:3, going from -25 degC freezing point, up to -40 degC. So to say your mix is only -20 means it's pretty weak TBH. While I was deciding what to do about my wife's leaky radiator, I was putting in a 2:3 mix to make it go further, but I'll be going back to 1:1 for top-ups, which is what's recommended.

Are you saying I just have to concentrate the mixture more? He made it sound like it was a totally different fluid needed. What should I do then?

Cheers

What colour is the current antifreeze?, it should be a pinkish/red colour and not blue.

What colour is the current antifreeze?, it should be a pinkish/red colour and not blue.

Thats it exactly. It's always been pinkish. Do you think I can drain a bit and top up with concentrate?

In theory you could do it that way, although the coolant can go bad ways if you make it too concentrated since the anti-freeze has a much lower specific heat capacity than the water it's mixed with. Therefore, it would be handy if you can check the concentration as you go along. I've used a turkey baster to suck coolant out of the expansion tank if you don't want to mess about underneath the car!

OTOH, how long has the coolant been in the car? You may be as well just to change it and carry on without worry for another five years!

In theory you could do it that way, although the coolant can go bad ways if you make it too concentrated since the anti-freeze has a much lower specific heat capacity than the water it's mixed with. Therefore, it would be handy if you can check the concentration as you go along. I've used a turkey baster to suck coolant out of the expansion tank if you don't want to mess about underneath the car!

OTOH, how long has the coolant been in the car? You may be as well just to change it and carry on without worry for another five years!

get you indie to flush it out and refill it.

Thanks for the info people.

I always thought it was flushed and changed when I've had a full service done, but it seems not.

I think I'll have to get it to the garage and flush it properly then. Seems like a good opportunity to take advantage of the Jabbasport offer on Anti-Freeze

On another note, does anyone know how long it takes (or how much it should cost) to change a front gaiter?

Ta

Thanks for the info people.

I always thought it was flushed and changed when I've had a full service done, but it seems not. No, coolant is not a service item, like the brake fluid change it is chargeable on top.

I think I'll have to get it to the garage and flush it properly then. Seems like a good opportunity to take advantage of the Jabbasport offer on Anti-Freeze You will find that offer is for screenwash not anti-freeze - despite how they have worded it - you need G12 anti-freeze.

On another note, does anyone know how long it takes (or how much it should cost) to change a front gaiter? CV joint gaitors can take around an hour - depending on garage, experiance etc and expect a bill of around £100+

Ta

Edited 10 December, 201015 yr by Gizmo68

Aldi or Lidl recently was selling a set of antifreeze and screenwash hydrometers.

Was back in Nov but if you've one near by it might be worth a look to see if you land lucky.

Cheers everyone