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MG MGF Technical - Coolant colour and Density

While checking my coolant level which seems to be ok,I would like to know if the coolant needs changing for winter how do I check the strength of the coolant in the system and can I assume from the greenish colour that it is normal antifreeze not OAT?
J.W Critchley

If green, then ethylene glycol based antifreeze (Unipart Superfreeze3 if I recall correctly - should be in the archives).

I would think that Gunstons probably do a kit for checking coolant strength, but if in question, and its age unknown, then perhaps consider a change in any case? The main concern is bleeding the system afterwards - be absolutely scrupulous in your approach if doing this yourself, or airlocks and potential HGF could await...
Rob Bell

Rob is correct, greeny yellow is the "old" antifreeze.

Just for the record, I changed my 97 VVC to OAT after flushing and warming up the engine three times. This was 4 years ago and last year I changed the antifreeze again, still using OAT. From now on it's 4-5 year changes rather then the recommended 2 years.
Brian Highe

You can buy a "turkey baster" type test tool for checking the antifreeze strength. There are 2 different ones, for ethylene glycol and OAT.
Ralph Gadsby

Thanks for your advice on the coolant,sorry for the delay in replying been on holiday.
I think the advice on changing the old antifreeze is the correct way forward,not quite decided on using glycol based or changing over to OAT?
Thanks anyway,any further advice on type of antifreeze and benifits much appreciated.
J.W Critchley

This thread was discussed between 18/08/2009 and 02/09/2009

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