Engine: 2.5: v70 coolant - help needed.

[John Davies]

My son has just bought a v70estate which we assumed would have the 'for life' Volvo coolant. Just to be on the safe side I have just put some in the freezer as it is reckoned to be minus 17c here tonight just to check and it froze up to a mush!

Our options seem to be

Drain and refill with the Volvo stuff when we can get it

Refil tonight with my normal glycol (aluminium friendly)

Ideas, chaps?

Soon would be appreciated as I intend to go out and get cold very soon kndeed - darn.

Thanks

John D

[donal]

I have been using Prestone ready mixed coolant (which apparently is suitable for all vehicles) without any issues. Why not use ordinary antifreeze for now; you could flush your system out when you get hold of the Volvo stuff.

[John Davies]

Cheers Donal.

Have put in my normal ethylene glycol for now and am warming up with a whisky. So much for a full Volvo service record and 'for life components' - including coolant!

John Davies

[1nevster]

The gimmic of for life coolant is rubbish, the engine coolant should be replaced completly every 2 years maximum, I do mine every year, and checked for level with your normal under bonnet checks.

[Clan]

No , not rubbish or a gimmic at all , It lasts indefinitely as Volvo claims , proved by me over the last 30 years in many engines . As long as its still nice and bright blue/green its ok ..... If you want to sell your used coolant let me know :-)

Dont forget to change your brake fluid every 2 years however ...

[Merc85]

Hi there, please note you should not mix different antifreez's ie red/green/blue/yellow etc, asn they can form slimey deposits in the engines cooling system and lead to blockages and over heating

[1nevster]

Originally Posted by Clan

... If you want to sell your used coolant let me know :-)

Yeah will do LOL

[Lmason]

from what i understand is, coolant should be changed every 2 years.
it looses it properties to be as efficient as when it was first put into the engine.
this is because, metal sweats, polluting the coolant.
likes wise to brake fluid

[GEORGEROV]

Changing every two years used to be the case but with the latest Organic Acid Technology coolants , claimed life is now 5 - 10 years . Basic structure with ethylene glycol is the same I think but the corrosion inhibiters they add dont degrade to the same extent as they used to. Bit of a gimmic maybe to extend service intervals but hey' after ten years they dont want the car to be working anymore!. Buy a new one!. Am I a cynic or what!.

[T240]

Originally Posted by Merc85

Hi there, please note you should not mix different antifreez's ie red/green/blue/yellow etc, asn they can form slimey deposits in the engines cooling system and lead to blockages and over heating

No that I recommend it, but Bluecol, which used to be the weapon of choice for most British manufacturers (when we had them), is reckoned to be the only antifreeze that is safe to mix with others.

Cheers,

T