One cold morning a few days ago i got a warning for coolant level.

Checked the level and it is just above minimum. (it may have been temporary sensor issue / only happened once but not using car everyday).

 

Purchased some G13 off ebay / Listers Seat. It arrived this morning. It is concentrate.

 

Am i ok to top up with just concentrate or is it better 50/50 even for this small amount.

 

And what are your thoughts on water? Tap vs bottled vs distilled? (it says use distilled but is it necessary, again for such a small top up?

 

Cheers guys.

 

And i know if i have lost some i need to find it, or the leak, Lol.

 

Edited 30 November, 20178 yr by Tilt

There should be a label on and indicate the % of mixture you have to prepare and drop in depending the period of time and temps on the environment.

In colder winter days think it should be more of the liquid and less the water.

Distilled water is always recomended in the coolant circuit for the best protection against corrosion issues and getting rid of the salty ingredients of water which in longer terms of period of time is no good.

For a small top up it does not really matter. It is good to use the right stuff though, G13.   It will mix up and dilute with existing what ever you do with concentrations. Distilled or even dimineralised water is always best but for such a small amount you could use a small amount neat or pour some in then follow by similar amount water.  As @AkisVH there will be detailed info on the bottle (usually peel back label).  

 

If the level was above the lower reach of the prongs in the expansion tank, you should try and scrape off both prongs with a screwdriver or something similar. Quite a common problem for them to produce false warnings after a few years.

Edited 30 November, 20178 yr by TheClient

I definitely won't be using seawater, Lol.

36 minutes ago, Tilt said:

I definitely won't be using seawater, Lol.

..sure definitely!

• Yes, steer clear of the salt water.  Brine and other alternatives also not great. Rose water would make it smell nice though...

It doesn't matter whether you top up with straight water, neat antifreeze or a mixture of both. As long as you keep the concentration right you will be fine.

 

Buy yourself a tester for piece of mind, they aren't expensive

 

 

22 hours ago, TheClient said:

For a small top up it does not really matter. It is good to use the right stuff though, G13.   It will mix up and dilute with existing what ever you do with concentrations. Distilled or even dimineralised water is always best but for such a small amount you could use a small amount neat or pour some in then follow by similar amount water.  As @AkisVH there will be detailed info on the bottle (usually peel back label).  

 

If the level was above the lower reach of the prongs in the expansion tank, you should try and scrape off both prongs with a screwdriver or something similar. Quite a common problem for them to produce false warnings after a few years.

 

I did wonder if it was a false warning as the level was above minimum and it was fine the next day.

 

Re - scraping off the prongs though, will that not put crap into the coolant. I realise it will be a tiny amount - is this likely to cause any issues?

 

Cheers guys.

You sound very fastidious! The amount of debris should be minimal and it is just scale. But feel free to remove resoivoir and flush out. Unecessary though. Sleep easy. Worry about something else, if you must!! But better only to worry about important things in your control. ....