How long should coolant last?

JasonACT · 27-01-2021, 08:41 PM

Last year I created a thread about my service at SAS, where I had some issues with the fluids they used, or rather the type and amount. I was supplied with what looked like a clean drink bottle of coolant to top up my car because when I got the car back it was below the cold min level. I checked it carefully, it was totally clear at the time. My overflow bottle is now a bit full of white gunk, which stops me easily seeing the level, but which I see is common. I had the car 7 years prior though without any issue.

I checked the drink bottle tonight (someone was talking about the overflow bottle in another thread, concerning trans milkshakes) and saw a lot of sediment at the bottom of the bottle. I shook it slightly (before taking a photo, though I'll leave it a couple of weeks to see if I can get a good one later) and it went very cloudy and I can now see floaties:

Is this normal?

**aussiblue** · 27-01-2021, 08:46 PM

Two years is considered the max service lift of most coolants. You may be experiencing silicate drop out if it's older than that but it may also be casting sand from the block or a mix of both. Which car and model year and engine etc is it? Both can appear like fine white or grey sand so without testing it's difficult to distinguish between the two.

JasonACT · 27-01-2021, 08:52 PM

Oh, no, this is the bottle they gave me. It was 1.5L full and I used about 700ml, as you can see by what's left. The remainder here has been sitting in my spare room untouched and undisturbed for 12 months. I would have thought shelf life would be longer?

JasonACT · 27-01-2021, 09:31 PM

I'm saddened by what Google turned up, I'm due for a coolant flush (about 6 months ago, maybe a bit more).

**M&Ms** · 27-01-2021, 09:44 PM

It has been theorised (but not proven) that aging coolant causes the degradation and failure of the trans cooler pipe work, which gets you to milkshake. I suggest it be done every 2 years, easy enough to do yourself on the Falcons. Some Euro cars actually have it as part of the 2-year service cycles.

**aussiblue** · 27-01-2021, 09:45 PM

Shelf life of sealed unopened containers of quality brand name glycol based coolant should be almost indefinite but most manufacturers say 7 years but some say just 5. Once in the car it's just two years.

JasonACT · 27-01-2021, 10:24 PM

Thanks fellas.

I've requested an online quote from a place that appears to specialise in this area, based on their opening times it'll need to be done in 1h:15m (after I finish work and based on their closing time) which they may not be able to do. If the quote is high, or they can't do it in time, I'll try myself.

This is the first car I've owned (FGII XR6T) with a sealed cooling system since I owned my Renault 12 in the late 80's. I'd do it myself (as I have many times before) if I hadn't known about sealed cooling systems due to that car - in which you had to mutter some magical incantations that I never knew to get all the air out properly.

I've got the service manuals though (and read them, hence the quote request!) but, yes, I'd probably be able to do it properly - I did eventually get the Renault spot on, though never touched that part again! Had to replace the thermostat.

Yellow_Festiva · 28-01-2021, 01:43 AM

I can't recall if it was the Focus, Outlander or the I30 I have but one of them had coolant intervals of 10 years in the booklet.

I guess it would have to be some fancy whizz bang ultra long life stuff.

Even if it said 10, I would still change it at 5 years at the very longest.

**aussiblue** · 28-01-2021, 02:56 AM

Quote:

can't recall if it was the Focus, Outlander or the I30 I have but one of them had coolant intervals of 10 years in the booklet.

Probably the focus, as my son's Mazda 3 BL, also claims its FL22 "extended life coolant" has a 10 year life or 192,000 km with the factory fill and then 5 years or 96,000 km with subsequent fills. At $157.00 for 5 liters https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Genu...UAAOSwjT9dyi~Z or $37.83 for a liter https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Genu...4AAOSwdihf2G25 it would want to last more than 2 years too.

123Cat · 28-01-2021, 08:45 PM

What if your just using radiator conditioner , is it the same 2 years??

**aussiblue** · 28-01-2021, 08:59 PM

Quote:

What if your just using radiator conditioner , is it the same 2 years??

Likely depending on the brand and chemical composition.

T3rminator · 28-01-2021, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiblue

Likely depending on the brand and chemical composition.

I was going to ask, because Nulon Premium tub says 6 - 7 years. I can't imagine leaving it that long, but seems safe to leave for more than 2 years?

fps_grandma · 29-01-2021, 02:44 AM

I just hope coolant electrolysis never happens and it helps to use only demineralised water in the coolant mix.

Franco Cozzo · 29-01-2021, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiblue

Shelf life of sealed unopened containers of quality brand name glycol based coolant should be almost indefinite but most manufacturers say 7 years but some say just 5. Once in the car it's just two years.

My Focus went a decade before the coolant was changed

It's specified with timing belt service I think, I can't remember but it only got done last year.

Hasn't had a set of pads yet so it's got the original brake fluid in it too with maybe a couple top ups to keep the level up as the pads wear

It's too.slow to need to use brakes.

JasonACT · 29-01-2021, 04:35 PM

What could possibly go wrong? It was $140 (which was ok by me) by the professionals, but they couldn't do it (they needed 2 hours). So far I'm out of pocket $65 (and I'll at least know what's gone in it, have a little left over for top-ups and get the chance to really clean that overflow bottle).

My thoughts are, drain, flush with tap water, fill with distilled, drive around till hot, drain again, fill with coolant and top up with remaining distilled.

Thoughts anyone?

BA-XT · 29-01-2021, 08:36 PM

Falcons are easiest by far to do.

There's a really good YouTube video by a bloke called "Tangles". Just Google falcon coolant change. If there's an easier car to do this on, let me know!

JasonACT · 29-01-2021, 09:16 PM

That was a good video, thanks. So then, no tap water and no driving around - just keep an eye on the coolant level while idling. Looks like I'll get to use those low profile ramps I bought a year ago too.

**Jastel** · 29-01-2021, 09:20 PM

Change coolant when it loses green colour.

Unplug fans for faster heat up if you like.

I've used tap water for millions of kms (plus one bottle of concentrate) but I have good water where I live.

**Mont5.0** · 29-01-2021, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonACT

Oh, no, this is the bottle they gave me. It was 1.5L full and I used about 700ml, as you can see by what's left. The remainder here has been sitting in my spare room untouched and undisturbed for 12 months. I would have thought shelf life would be longer?

could it be the disposable water bottle they gave you the coolant in disintegrating?

JasonACT · 29-01-2021, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mont5.0

could it be the disposable water bottle they gave you the coolant in disintegrating?

I don't think so, it's PET plastic, where the coolant is in a HDPE plastic container and Googling them show they are both polyethylene.

HD = high density (so sturdy) but I can't see any other difference.

JasonACT · 30-01-2021, 06:26 PM

Just to show it did all happen today:

Just an FYI: When I pulled the plastic cover off underneath on my FG2, it turns out there's 2 small "trap-doors" on both sides of it. One said AC and the other says Coolant. Apparently you don't need to take it off, you just open the trap-door and access the tap control.

I think I'm good with the new coolant now, I wanted the car level so I could get as much out as possible, but the overflow bottle didn't really clean up as well as I wanted (I should just buy a new one now). While it was all up though, I wanted to do some other things, that's where it all went bad. But that's not for this thread... I'll create a new one...

**Jastel** · 30-01-2021, 07:42 PM

Those stupid trap doors...just had to zip tie one of mine shut today.
Never even used the a/c one in my life.

Just remove air intake thing and lean down...no need to jack up etc...unless you want to put a pan or funnel etc to catch water...but it goes everywhere anyway...kills the weeds.
One tip is put some rubber grease on the tap and on your rad bottle cap/thread makes them easier to remove.

The bottles do discolour after time...acid helps a bit but its messy...and never gets in all corners either...if it bothers you get a new one.

Any type of new coolant has gotta be better than old coolant...just dont mix colours.

superfly · 31-01-2021, 06:47 PM

Ford service department changed my coolant every 3 years only or about 45K. So should it really be changed every 2 years - 30K?
I just had it changed (on 150K now) but I'm no longer using Ford servicing.

BA-XT · 31-01-2021, 07:28 PM

I've owned my BA Since 2011 and change every 3 years.

As far as I can see, everything is original. I've replaced top and bottom radiator hose. Probably will replace all hoses next fill.

I use a flush and drive around for an hour before starting.

The NA models has a small tap on bottom of radiator, left side, so I use that which drains around 6-7 litres then take bottom hose off to get the rest out of of of the block.

Attach hose, fill up with distilled water, drive around then repeat process but add Coolant this time.

I guess you can remove thermostat and stick garden hose to clear out the block, but I haven't done this.