Concerns regarding OAT (Organic Acid Technology) Coolant

[Simon Jones]

I've got 6 litres of the Halfords 'Advanced' OAT coolant (the red stuff) in the garage which I was planning on using at the next service, but I'm having second thoughts having read this on another forum.

http://forums.t5d5.org/topic/14124-9798 ... ntry162596

While I don't have any silicone hoses, I am concerned that this coolant does seem to have a reputation of causing leaks. I know there are a couple of folk here who use it in their diesel engines with no apparent issues, but wondered if anyone is using it in their V6 or had any views on it?

[Velocette]

Mine plays havoc with my coolant alarm. I have had two full coolant changes and I think the first one killed all the corrosion and the second one has remained too active as an inhibitor and keeps coating the electrode screw causing it to chirp and false activate..

[Titan1995]

Well this is a new one eh.....been out of the trade for a while and unaware of such.

Don't think that I would trust it on your V6 Simon. Mine is a 2.5 WLT.

Having said that, would it not have been used on other vehicles similarly equipped with your V6 engine. Especially those with a Ford badge.

I am using Eskimo long life coolant. It is a monoethyleneglycol based automotive antifreeze and coolant.

It did have a "Searching" action when first installed. No bad thing really.

[helen&tony]

Hi
I've always stuck with Glycol based antifreeze...It had worked well with little problems for many years, and with something that reliable, I feel there's no need to change. The only problem I see is that it's toxic to animals, and care should be taken with disposal. In various concentrations it is safe well below minus 60 , so I don't see a problem with using it. I had heard of problems with the OAT coolant, but was unaware it caused leaks with some systems. I'll stick with what I know!
Cheers
Helen

[haydn callow]

Been using it in my V6 for 3 years....apart from the "normal" coating of the alarm screw during the first couple of weeks it has done it's job just fine and is still in very good condition.

[Velocette]

Been using it in my V6 for 3 years....apart from the "normal" coating of the alarm screw during the first couple of weeks it has done it's job just fine and is still in very good condition.

I think mine must be over concentrated or some weird brand or something because the problem keeps coming back. The longer screw has delayed it but it was starting to chirp again yesterday slightly.

Either that or it could be the fact that I have had new red coolant put in twice, first time after renewing several hoses and having thge system flushed and the second time after a head job. the first time ( I theorise) it has coated the inside of the block and the screw and then the inhibitor has to an extent been spent, so cleaning the coating off the screw cures the problem. The second time there is nothing but the screw for the inhibitor to work on and it remains permanently active. That is all I can think of, having replaced everything.

Hmmmm I have been reading about OAT and water hardness and I am wondering now if the coating is to do with the Bristol water which is hard or very hard according to area. I will try and find out if the garage used tap water because if it is very hard. That could also cause "soaps" to form according to what I have been reading.

[mikexgough]

I wouldn't and won't use Halfords coolant.... The information they are willing to give you on their coolants is not good enough

Car Plan Red is closest spec to Jap coolant and Comma is not far behind.... But as always.... yer pays yer money

[haydn callow]

Ah yes...now I remember....mine was filled with Comma Red 3 years age and I have used Halfords 5 year red to "top up" after working on the cooling system......all well and in fact I wouldn't be suprised if Halfords is a Comma Coolant.....after all ...Halfords dont actually make any of their products as far as I know.....they just buy in bulk and repackage.