question about antifreeze/coolant?

Question

I was checking all my fluids earlier and noticed that my coolant was kind of low. First off, is it bad when the fluid has turned a greyish color? Some of the bottles I have say to just add some in and others say to flush it out, put water in, flush out, and then add coolant. Well, my main question is the cap says ENGINE COOLANT ONLY and most of the bottles we have say Antifreeze/Coolant. I was wondering if that's ok (not sure if that's the same thing) or if I need only a bottle called Coolant. I probably sound dumb but just want to make sure, thanks

Answer 1

Antifreeze and coolant are the same thing. It's called antifreeze because it contains 'ethylene glycol' which lowers the freezing temperature of the solution so it doesn't freeze in winter. It's usually sold full-strength and the directions tell you to mix it 50/50 with water, but sometimes it's sold already mixed. Read the directions on the jug. It's fine to just add some for now, but you usually should flush the cooling system and fill with fresh coolant every three years or 50k miles to get rid of any rust or deposits in the system that could clog up the tiny passages in the radiator. There are also other chemicals in the mix that help retard corrosion, and these chemicals wear out over time.

Answer 2

The coolant only sign means not to add other chemicals in there. Like PS fluid, brake fluid, oil, etc. Anti-freeze and coolant are the same thing.

I would flush out the old before I add any new. There should be a draincock at the bottom of the radiator to help you do that. If not, then just loosen the lower radiator hose and pull it off and let it drain.

If you have hard water, then you may want to premix the anti-freeze before you put it in. Use distilled water, instead of the hard tap water. There are also some aftermarket products you can add that will help increase the heat transfer by reducing the surface tension. Your engine should run cooler and things should work a little better. good luck.

Answer 3

Antifreeze is a liquid that doesnt freeze to -84 degrees F if mixed 70/30, and coolant is something that keeps your engine cool before it "boils over" Antifreeze/ Coolant is the same thing. If its greyish in color, that tells me it has mixed with an abundant amount of engine oil which is bad prepare for head gasket replacement or engine overhaul, or you have some radiator stop leak chemical mixed in there. If its stop leak juice dont worry about it unless your car overheats. If theres no stop leak juice mixed in and your sure its not engine oil, then I recommend flushing the system.

Answer 4

coolant turning greyish is normal. You should flush out your cooling system every year for good measure. If you dont know when the last ime your cooling system was flushed you might ought to go ahead and flush it out. Antifreeze/coolant is one in the same. Water and antifreeze mix should be a 50/50 mix. You can buy pre mixed coolant but you are paying for half water.

Answer 5

You are doing fine, go ahead and either flush it and put clean Antifreeze/Coolant or just add. What ever you do, DO NOT JUST USE WATER! as your coolant, water will just rust your radiator and all your water jackets in your block and head. Wow I sound like a doctor, take 2 asprins and call me in the morning. LOL.. but yeah you will be fine.

Answer 6

They are the same. Read the directions. It is normal to mix 50/50 coolant with water when you put it in. It doesn't have to be exact, but it should be fairly close.

You should also flush your coolant yearly. If it hasn't been done for a while, you might want to do that.

Answer 7

it will work just fine. The anti freeze/coolant is more for winter temps. so it doesn't freeze as easily.