Topping up coolant question...

8BitLife

8BitLife

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I noticed this weekend that the coolant in my bakkie is pretty much at the minimum line. It needs a top up but since I didn't put in the coolant that is in there currently, I do not know what brand it is and I really don't want to drain it and start over. So I came across this brand which claims to be universal and can be mixed with any brand in any engine.

So to all the mechanics on here, do you see an issue with it? Or can I go ahead and just top it up with that.
 
8BitLife said:
I noticed this weekend that the coolant in my bakkie is pretty much at the minimum line. It needs a top up but since I didn't put in the coolant that is in there currently, I do not know what brand it is and I really don't want to drain it and start over. So I came across this brand which claims to be universal and can be mixed with any brand in any engine.

So to all the mechanics on here, do you see an issue with it? Or can I go ahead and just top it up with that.
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I phoned the dealership where I bought my car.. It was R150 pl... I phone auto zone.. It was R145 pl...try the dealership
 
I use this as it meets the requirements for my car, google the requirements for coolant on your vehicle then check the coolant meets it.

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First rule of thumb, look at the colour of the coolant fluid and top-up with the same colour. If in doubt, then go with the universal one you linked to.
 
There should be a label in your engine that specifies the type. Go with that one as priority, next priority would be colour matched, then adding distilled water, then water, then universal. At least in my mind.
 
8BitLife said:
I noticed this weekend that the coolant in my bakkie is pretty much at the minimum line. It needs a top up but since I didn't put in the coolant that is in there currently, I do not know what brand it is and I really don't want to drain it and start over. So I came across this brand which claims to be universal and can be mixed with any brand in any engine.

So to all the mechanics on here, do you see an issue with it? Or can I go ahead and just top it up with that.
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Get a 5L directly from the dealer. It will be cheaper than this universal brand.

I recently bought a 5L direct from Toyota for R379.
 
My first question would be why are you losing coolant…
 
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bwana said:
My first question would be why are you losing coolant…
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That is a good question. Just topped it up and saw that in the last 2 weeks it dropped even further. By quite a bit. Now wondering if there is a leak. Will keep an eye over the next 2 weeks and see if it drops again.
 
8BitLife said:
That is a good question. Just topped it up and saw that in the last 2 weeks it dropped even further. By quite a bit. Now wondering if there is a leak. Will keep an eye over the next 2 weeks and see if it drops again.
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Radiator leaking; leaking coolant pipes; leaking coolant tank.
 
rh1 said:
Radiator leaking; leaking coolant pipes; leaking coolant tank.
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or leak at the water pump, or heater core, or head gasket, or cracked head or block. Lots of possibilities...
 
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Sinbad said:
or leak at the water pump, or heater core, or head gasket, or cracked head or block. Lots of possibilities...
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Agree. Forgot about those two. He will have to keep buying coolant until he has determine the reason for the leak.
 
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