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What exactly is the difference? Googling really doesn't enlighten me (probably just haven't found the right page.....) & on the bottles I've seen, blue is described as for pre-'98 cars, and pink for post '98. However, it doesn't give any clue as to why......
The reason I want to know is that the blue stuff seems harder to get hold of at petrol stations (i.e. when needed in a hurry), and thus I'd like to know whether the difference actually matters, especially in an all iron engine with conventional (copper / brass???) radiator.
Cheers!
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Something to do with the different alloys used in engines post 98
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Exactly the same engine protection and cooling ability - just a difference in specifically HOW they do it, and as a result, how long they last
Blue: Glycol - essentially tries to stop corrosion at all times. Lasts something like 2 years IIRC
Pink: Organic - only "reacts" to corrosion when it's encountered, as a result lasts much longer - usually 5 years
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You're like a crazy backyard genius! |
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RobinJI
Posted a lot
"Driven by the irony that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
Posts: 2,995
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I'm not 100% on this, so hopefully someone will back me up, but as far as I'm aware, you can use either in an older engine, but you can't mix and match. So if you're starting with an empty, flushed engine, then use either, but just make sure you're consistent in topping it up with the same again.
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100% correct! lol, I'd forgotten about that little fact too!
for most people on here, we've got some form of leak, or something that needs the coolant to be changed anyway - blue works just as well, and saves you a couple of quid
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You're like a crazy backyard genius!
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mk2cossie
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 3,063 
Club RR Member Number: 77
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Pink vs blue anti freezemk2cossie
@mk2cossie
Club Retro Rides Member 77
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as said above, they don't mix. either can be used on most engines although ive heard stories of older stuff having leaks when drained and filled with pink OAT coolant, i think that its down to the corrosion that has already occured in the engines any way  also, the pink stuff leaves a lovely easy to spot strain if there are any leaks as well, so easier to find and fix them before a major catastrophy ;D |
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will
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,023
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Never gave this any thought TBH. I've blue, luminous green and pink in the garage so I'll have to take a closer look... The coolant in the Cortina looks brown though  |
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The Golf had luminous orange. I flushed & replaced it with luminous pink.
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1993 Mercedes-Benz 190e LE in Azzuro Blue.
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,309
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Pink vs blue anti freezeChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Some manufacturers specify their own types of OAT. Some claim it is due to containing other componds (i.e Phosphate and borate) for protecting the relevant materials in the head or water pump life (i.e Ford and Toyota).
I have used OAT in my MGB before with no issues.
I have heard that OAT can do funny things in cars with copper/soldered rad items so much that Subaru say not to use it in cars older than a certain age (as did Rover when they were using copper radiators). Whether this is true or not is another thing. I do know that my old 944 did have a shot heater matrix (brass and copper in the 944 and 968) from using 'good for life' VW G12 coolant but it could have been a coincidence.
What I can say for sure (both from my own experience and someone else) is not to mix the two! They can congeal in addition to making you assume the worst (i.e white precipitates forming in the coolant).
FWIW, the cheapest source I have found for both generic coolants (bar the manufacturer specific items) is Unipart, and many service stations seem to now stock hybrid OAT which is meant to be backwards compatible (as do Unipart).
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Last Edit: Mar 4, 2012 22:56:04 GMT by ChasR
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You put blue in mens cars and pink in womens cars, nissan almeras with the handbag hook take pink, classic mini's with the handbag hook that helps to start the car take pink, land rovers take blue, simple really ;D only joking, no offence meant, one lasts a couple of years and the other lasts longer  |
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ChrisT
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,670
Club RR Member Number: 225
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Pink vs blue anti freezeChrisT
@christ
Club Retro Rides Member 225
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What I can say for sure (both from my own experience and someone else) is not to mix the two! They can congeal in addition to making you assume the worst (i.e white precipitates forming in the coolant). Really  I just grabbed the first bottle that came to hand in the motor factors the other week, didn't realize it was pink until I opened it, used it anyway thought maybe I'd get purple coolant once mixed with the blue - maybe this week I'll be doing a cooling system flush then  |
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10mpg
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 4,253
Club RR Member Number: 204
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Pink vs blue anti freeze10mpg
@10mpg
Club Retro Rides Member 204
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I have to disagree with much of whats been said here based on a rather in depth article in last months Car mechanics, as most of the bottles state, including mine (i've checked) the blue and the red both state they can be mixed safely, however the OAT flavours (which are usually red/pink) cannot be used in classic cyctems, as they will attack and dissolve bronze and brass, apprently there is significant proven research in the States......
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The Internet, like all tools, if used improperly, can make a complete bo**cks of even the simplest jobs...
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however the OAT flavours (which are usually red/pink) cannot be used in classic cyctems, as they will attack and dissolve bronze and brass, apprently there is significant proven research in the States......  So if it's not blue, is it then definitely some form of OAT? |
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Last Edit: Mar 5, 2012 9:28:48 GMT by Paul H
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most of the bottles state, including mine (i've checked) the blue and the red both state they can be mixed safely Ditto - however some make no mention at all of the cut-off date / suitability for older vehicles, or that there is anything different about it other than colour..... |
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however the OAT flavours (which are usually red/pink) cannot be used in classic cyctems, as they will attack and dissolve bronze and brass, apprently there is significant proven research in the States...... So if it's not blue, is it then definitely some form of OAT? Fuchs Eskimo MEG is pink in colour, you can also get blue OAT. You really really need to check the bottle. |
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I have to disagree with much of whats been said here based on a rather in depth article in last months Car mechanics, as most of the bottles state, including mine (i've checked) the blue and the red both state they can be mixed safely, however the OAT flavours (which are usually red/pink) cannot be used in classic cyctems, as they will attack and dissolve bronze and brass, apprently there is significant proven research in the States...... I'm with 10mpg on this although I didn't know about the effects of OAT on metals, I did now it is not kind on older gaskets and seals. I stick with the blue Glycol. What is the green stuff Rover used to use and is it still available? It seemed to have the best of both worlds - good protection and long life. |
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91 Citroen BX Diesel Estate (on the road)
85 Merc 200T Estate
83 Peugeot 205 (on the road)
61 Mini Convertible (on the road)
91 Ford Transit (on the road)
77 Mk1 Transit
60 Rover P4 100 (on the road)
Various Moggies/Minis.
Plus several others...
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I'm sure I read in ppc ages ago that the pink modern stuff reacts bad with copper and brass and shouldn't be used with copper cores and brass unions.
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Remember the days when sex was safe and motorsport was dangerous. Vintage bling always attracts pussy.  |
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i looked into using OAT on the 67 mgb and decied to stick with traditional blue glycol because of the potential for OAT to damage any brass or copper components (like the rad and header tank).
apparently there are 2 different types of blue coolant, the trad glycol stuff and a new "universal" top up blue coolant which is compatible with other colours (check out the bluecol website).
just paid £12 for 5 litres of regular glycol for my local factors
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scruff
Part of things
Posts: 621
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Esprit has a copper rad and OAT is recommended....
Porker is full of pink too...
Any links to the effects of OAT on copper?
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1994 Lotus Esprit - Fragile red turbo with pop up lights.
1980 Porsche 924 - Fragile red turbo with pop up lights.
I spy a trend...
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Sorry cant help with the discussion, but thought you might like to know that Tesco seem to be selling off the anti-freeze, screenwash, and de-icers |
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1939 Francis Barnett Powerbike
1971 Honda C90
1992 Mitsubishi Lancer 1.5 GLX
1993 Fiat Panda Selecta
2003 Vauxhall Combo 1.7DI van
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