Antifreeze/coolant type. C5 mk2 petrol.

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seanrx
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Antifreeze/coolant type. C5 mk2 petrol.

Post by seanrx »

A forum search for to answer this, gives me nothing definite, even the Comma site gives two options, so, coolant top up:

OAT/non OAT, red or blue.

Car is C5, ew10a, mk2 exclusive.

I want something I can buy from a shop in town please, Halfords or Europarts, no mail order/online palaver. Its just coolant!
And if colours don't matter,

OAT/nonOAT?
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Re: Antifreeze/coolant type. C5 mk2 petrol.

Post by GiveMeABreak »

IAT: Inorganic Acid Technology - generally recommended for annual replacement - much shorter life. Don't mix with OAT types of coolant.

OAT: Organic Acid Technology (typically lasts for 5 years or 100k miles) Don't mix with IAT type of coolant.

I've edited this post as manufacturers can basically use any colour they want - what is important is the composition of the coolant. If you are unsure always drain and refill with

Basically if you are going for long life, get the system drained and filled with OAT.

I've never needed to top up the coolant on any C5, as I leave this to the service schedule and they drain and replace the whole system according to the schedule. This ensures the correct mixture to water ratios are maintained and provides the best protection.
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Re: Antifreeze/coolant type. C5 mk2 petrol.

Post by EDC5 »

If you’re going to Halfords you can get Comma G30.

It’s the UK licenced version of ‘Glysantin G30’ which is very similar to the G33 which is specced for PSA vehicles.
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Re: Antifreeze/coolant type. C5 mk2 petrol.

Post by myglaren »

I have only ever used the recommended Citroen Antigel from the dealer.
It is long-life allegedly.
As with Marc's car, fully drained, flushed and refilled at the recommended dilution.
Never topped it up, never needed other than once on the previous C5 when one of the bleed caps popped off during the MOT and flooded the pit :)
Re-filled rather than topped up.
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Re: Antifreeze/coolant type. C5 mk2 petrol.

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Yes, the PSA recommended one is PRO Glysantin G33 - which is OAT based and I believe they changed the colours some while ago too, so I'll amend my comments in the last post about not mixing the colours - it the OAT and non-OAT you should never mix.
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Re: Antifreeze/coolant type. C5 mk2 petrol.

Post by white exec »

There are actually no universal standards for the colour of coolant, with manufacturer's free to colour their products as they wish. Generally, blue-green is standard glycol type, and red-pink-yellow is OAT (organic acid) type, but there is no certainty in this.

As said, OAT and glycol types must NOT be mixed, as crystallisation, goo-formation, sediment and blocking can occur. If in doubt, completely DRAIN the system, and refill with an approved type, placing a suitable label on the engine.

Do not mix makes or types, even if they are the same colour. You may get away with it, but you could be very unlucky...
A coolant mix disaster; grey is a water-resistant stiff and sticky goo
A coolant mix disaster; grey is a water-resistant stiff and sticky goo
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Re: Antifreeze/coolant type. C5 mk2 petrol.

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Yes - I've edited my post to clarify this - the colours used to be a guide but these all changed some years ago, so always better to drain the system and refill completely if one is not sure what is in there or what the previous owner / garage has put in there.
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Re: Antifreeze/coolant type. C5 mk2 petrol.

Post by seanrx »

Thanks for the replies.
The top up is due to being in an uphill traffic jam for 1/2 hour, so boiling over inevitable I think.
Comma site did say g30, then 'use only Citroen' My mk2 uses a mk1 engine so perhaps that's the problem when searching?

And colours? Hmmmmmm.

Perhaps this info should be listed permanently here?

Sean.
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Re: Antifreeze/coolant type. C5 mk2 petrol.

Post by GiveMeABreak »

It will still be OAT in the MK I and MK II.

I really would suggest you have it drained and filled with long life OAT for peace of mind and then you can forget about it for another 5 years.

The fact that it's boiling could mean the current solution has lost its properties or has been over-diluted over the years with top ups. If you want to save a few quid, you could buy your own OAT coolant and just ask the dealer or your trusted garage to do the drain flush and refill for you.
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Re: Antifreeze/coolant type. C5 mk2 petrol.

Post by EDC5 »

I think it's very east to overthink these things, especially when manufacturers claim dire consequences from deviating from their own specification.

When I replaced the coolant in my C5 I used Total Glacelf, a good quality ethylene glycol OAT antifreeze even though it's not specifically for PSA cars.

Interestingly, different manufacturers recommend different antifreezes even when they're sharing the same engine, see Ford and PSA. So I wouldn't worry too much about antifreeze type, as long as your system is fully flushed between replacements.

I still think it is odd that you lost some coolant, did the car overheat? Is the radiator fan working?
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Re: Antifreeze/coolant type. C5 mk2 petrol.

Post by myglaren »

Check the radiator fan too - mine seized last year. Never overheated and I only discovered it by poking it with a stick when I had the bumper off to change the headlight bulbs.

Should point out that I have never been stuck in traffic before I replaced the fan.
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Re: Antifreeze/coolant type. C5 mk2 petrol.

Post by white exec »

EDC5 wrote: 10 Nov 2018, 11:33 I think it's very east to overthink these things, especially when manufacturers claim dire consequences from deviating from their own specification.
The warning about mixing types comes not just from manufacturers, but also from a good number of trade and forum sources. Can also speak from personal experience. The grey stuff above floated on water, was not soluble in it, and had the consistency of marmite; you don't get nastier than that.
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Re: Antifreeze/coolant type. C5 mk2 petrol.

Post by EDC5 »

white exec wrote: 10 Nov 2018, 11:41
EDC5 wrote: 10 Nov 2018, 11:33 I think it's very east to overthink these things, especially when manufacturers claim dire consequences from deviating from their own specification.
The warning about mixing types comes not just from manufacturers, but also from a good number of trade and forum sources. Can also speak from personal experience. The grey stuff above floated on water, was not soluble in it, and had the consistency of marmite; you don't get nastier than that.


Very true, I was only talking about antifreezes in general. Obviously topping up requires the correct stuff but with a flushed clean system I don't see the necessity of using the specific antifreeze; especially considering that the same engine used in different makes can be specced with a completely different antifreeze.
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Re: Antifreeze/coolant type. C5 mk2 petrol.

Post by moizeau »

Following the rad puncture, I changed the rad, presumed the coolant system would be empty, replaced with a coolant classed 'NFR 15-601 type 2' which I believe is OAT (and light green, though I realise colours don't mean a lot)? The system only accepted 6 litres, so wasn't empty and the old (though in very good condition) was red, of which 4 litres remain in the system. Unknown brand or classification. The previous owner did things by the book, if not earlier, and told me it was due a change this winter. I ran the engine up to temp and bled via the egr cooler bleed screw (couldn't see the thermostat bleed). I'm guessing the system can only be completely drained via a water pump removal? I think I'm good the go but would like further reassurance or the contrary.
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Re: Antifreeze/coolant type. C5 mk2 petrol.

Post by seanrx »

Cooling fan. Well, mine doesn't work! No surprise that it boiled over.
I didn't think to check that so thanks for that tip.
Coolant density still OK, just one disc is floating in my tester.
No doubt I'll be starting a 'cooling fan' topic!
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