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How much coolant?...
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 8:18 am
by Dominic
I am planning to change my radiator on the elise this weekend. Was planning to get some of the OAT coolant to go in it. I already have some (pink), so will get more of the same - question is - how much does the system need?... and is it used neat, or diluted with water?
TIA

Re: How much coolant?...
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 8:24 am
by robin
You can buy coolant diluted (pre-mixed) or concentrated (you have to mix with water).
Suggest you buy the pre-mixed stuff as less grief.
10L diluted or 5L concentrated (yields 10L when mixed) should be enough; 5L probably won't be.
If the current coolant is not OAT then you should fill with water and drain a few times to try to eliminate as much of the old coolant as possible (effectively you'll be diluting it out of the system with tap water). Also note that it doesn't want to be mixed with air, so pour it in through a funnel and try not to stir it up too much - a nice steady pour is what you want.
People say that mixing the two types of coolant can lead to the formation of a chewing gum like substance; there are even videos on the internet to "prove" this; I put "prove" because those tests are by no means scientific.
Cheers,
Robin
Re: How much coolant?...
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 8:37 am
by woody
Dominic wrote:I am planning to change my radiator on the elise this weekend. Was planning to get some of the OAT coolant to go in it. I already have some (pink), so will get more of the same - question is - how much does the system need?... and is it used neat, or diluted with water?
TIA

Dom, do you have a copy of the manual? I have & should be able to drop it off to you. The system bleeding process is well described in it.
Re: How much coolant?...
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 9:56 am
by Stephen
Dom the system needs 8 litres
Re: How much coolant?...
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 10:33 am
by Dominic
Thanks for all the replies.
The system already has pink OAT in it, so I have bought 10l of pink ready mixed.

Re: How much coolant?...
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 11:22 am
by GBOBM
I use evian in mine.

Re: How much coolant?...
Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2014 9:30 pm
by jammacdo
Remember there are two nipples to play with once you have warmed her up.
You know, one at the front near the radiator and one near the block at the back

Re: How much coolant?...
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 10:40 am
by Stephen
How did the radiator change go?
Re: How much coolant?...
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 11:03 am
by Dominic
Stephen wrote:How did the radiator change go?
It didn't

Seems having baby in the house means that getting five mins to myself is a challenge.... ho hum.
Re: How much coolant?...
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 11:09 am
by Stephen
It doesn't get any better from here on either!
Re: How much coolant?...
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2014 7:20 pm
by robin
I don't know - mine are both at Uni now, so mostly quiet

Re: How much coolant?...
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 3:18 pm
by campbell
Dominic wrote:Stephen wrote:How did the radiator change go?
It didn't

Seems having baby in the house means that getting five mins to myself is a challenge.... ho hum.
If you can change a rad in 5 mins then you can do mine next time

Re: How much coolant?...
Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2014 3:20 pm
by campbell
Oh, and it DOES get better. One of our two terrors is becoming an established spannering helper and car valet. There is hope...