Coolants are not just coolants!

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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Re: Coolants are not just coolants!

Post by scanner » Sat Jan 24, 2009 8:08 pm

Which is twice what "everybody" reckons you should change ordinary stuff in a Bongo.
Given the pfaffing about and perils involved in that exercise - every 3-4 years (read 4 if I remember in my case) if plenty often enough to warrant a premium.

How about this - bought a nice 4 litre container of Total "Universaal" Coolant in Belgium a while ago to keep in the Bongo as it said "safe to use in any cooling system with all types of coolant" - and what colour is it? A nice deep green.

If they can make such a thing, why do we need all the others that can't get on with each other.
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Re: Coolants are not just coolants!

Post by Ron Miel » Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:24 am

scanner wrote:Which is twice what "everybody" reckons you should change ordinary stuff in a Bongo.
How about this - bought a nice 4 litre container of Total "Universaal" Coolant in Belgium a while ago to keep in the Bongo as it said "safe to use in any cooling system with all types of coolant" - and what colour is it? A nice deep green.

If they can make such a thing, why do we need all the others that can't get on with each other.
That really sounds the biz, IF it's as described - but caveat emptor, especially with possibly unregulated product labelling. Have you managed to check out its credentials, and does anybody know others of that description?

If they are universally OK as described, that adds to my feeling that BASF and Comma are mainly using their product descriptions for marketing effect - BASF, with metallurgical claims playing to the Germans' attention to detail, and Comma just focussing on an (apparently) stretched life cycle claim for the 'red' to influence we Brits to swap out our green/blue.
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Re: Coolants are not just coolants!

Post by scanner » Sun Jan 25, 2009 12:48 pm

Prestone make a Universal one as well.
http://www.prestone.com/products/antifreezeCoolant.php

As do Bluecol as I've mentioned before
http://www.redexpress.co.uk/store/s1001 ... tails.aspx


Surely these "Universal" coolants should be a completely different colour from all other coolants (just what exactly I can't think, as all the available colours seem to be being used) to avoid this "green is green" mindset. Having some incompatible coolants in green and some universal and presumably compatible coolants in green also, is just asking for problems.
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Re: Coolants are not just coolants!

Post by Ron Miel » Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:59 pm

scanner wrote:Prestone make a Universal one as well.
http://www.prestone.com/products/antifreezeCoolant.php

As do Bluecol as I've mentioned before
http://www.redexpress.co.uk/store/s1001 ... tails.aspx


Surely these "Universal" coolants should be a completely different colour from all other coolants (just what exactly I can't think, as all the available colours seem to be being used) to avoid this "green is green" mindset. Having some incompatible coolants in green and some universal and presumably compatible coolants in green also, is just asking for problems.
Yes, isn't it just? You're right, and that's certainly one good point in favour of the 'reds' - until somebody also starts playing the same game with that colour, and then we'll need another one. I vote for a nice rich Caput Mortuum (got that from Wikipedia's list of colours :D ) - or has that been done already?
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Re: Coolants are not just coolants!

Post by scanner » Mon Jan 26, 2009 7:49 pm

Ron Miel wrote:
scanner wrote:Prestone make a Universal one as well.
http://www.prestone.com/products/antifreezeCoolant.php

As do Bluecol as I've mentioned before
http://www.redexpress.co.uk/store/s1001 ... tails.aspx


Surely these "Universal" coolants should be a completely different colour from all other coolants (just what exactly I can't think, as all the available colours seem to be being used) to avoid this "green is green" mindset. Having some incompatible coolants in green and some universal and presumably compatible coolants in green also, is just asking for problems.
Yes, isn't it just? You're right, and that's certainly one good point in favour of the 'reds' - until somebody also starts playing the same game with that colour, and then we'll need another one. I vote for a nice rich Caput Mortuum (got that from Wikipedia's list of colours :D ) - or has that been done already?
I'm getting to the age when Beige or Pastel Blue looks good............

Jackets, Caps, Slacks, Cardies & Jumpers...............Ohh and White shoes...........somebody shoot me please. :lol:


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Re: Coolants are not just coolants!

Post by Ron Miel » Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:56 pm

scanner wrote:
Ron Miel wrote:
scanner wrote:Prestone make a Universal one as well.
http://www.prestone.com/products/antifreezeCoolant.php

As do Bluecol as I've mentioned before
http://www.redexpress.co.uk/store/s1001 ... tails.aspx


Surely these "Universal" coolants should be a completely different colour from all other coolants (just what exactly I can't think, as all the available colours seem to be being used) to avoid this "green is green" mindset. Having some incompatible coolants in green and some universal and presumably compatible coolants in green also, is just asking for problems.
Yes, isn't it just? You're right, and that's certainly one good point in favour of the 'reds' - until somebody also starts playing the same game with that colour, and then we'll need another one. I vote for a nice rich Caput Mortuum (got that from Wikipedia's list of colours :D ) - or has that been done already?
...........somebody shoot me please. :lol:
Being of viking stock, like what I are, it's got to be a burning longship for me. Anybody got a suitable vessel?
2001-V6-LPG-AFT-black on silver-Imperial Purbeck camper

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