gen3 coolant

[mrvx2]

my coolant needs topping up, now holden used the red coolant. Now can i just go down to super cheap and buy the normal green stuff, or do i need the red one?? Wats the difference?? And can u buy the red one from supercheap??

Cheers

[accentstencil]

I don't know the difference between the red and green but I would stick with red which you can get from most places, Supercheap, Repco, Auto-one etc.

[moose man]

A standard rule of the industry is that you shouldn't mix coolant types. More often than not it won't make a difference, but I've seen plenty of engines that have undergone galvanic corrosion caused by electrolysis between mixed chemicals in two different coolants.

This isn't just a bit of rust in your radiator I'm talking about, it's severe engine block and head damage, and from the inside-outwards. It happens surprisingly quickly and can be throwaway as soon as a couple of months.

Just use plain water to top up until it's time to do a coolant flush. Plain water will be better than mixing coolants, and if you still have a red colour to the remaining fluid in the radiator, there's still plenty of protection short-term. All coolant is diluted with water at the dealership anyway.

[mrvx2]

i just bought a bottle of red nulon coolant. So ur saying i shouldnt use it?? Just add water??

[moose man]

Yeah, I wouldn't mix the coolants.
If I were you, and the existing coolant was still a fairly strong red colour, I'd just top it up with water.

As I mentioned, the proper way to do it is to:
1. Top up with only the same type of coolant, or
2. Replace it all at the same time when you flush the system. Then keep some spare.

All coolants should be mixed at a ratio between 33% and 50%, even from factory (Never 100% by the way). Then there's plenty of % strength for top-ups with water before a complete flush every 2 years or so. A bit of dilution will hardly make a difference to these ratios.

What you should be looking for is why do you need to top it up? A cooling system that needs topping up usually indicates a leaking system (apart form a cup or two of water every service from evaporation).

[Vt_vic]

just go to supercheap and get the proper holden stuff.

[Lazza78]

just go to supercheap and get the proper holden stuff.

supercheap dont sell genuine holden coolant mate...

[Vt_vic]

supercheap dont sell genuine holden coolant mate...

thats pretty crap i got mine through a mate who works at coventrys only costed my 15 or so.your best bet is to try some places like that

[SIG-054]

i bought genuine coolant from holden, funny about that lol was only $30 for 5L of concentrate, just mix with rain water.

[mourati]

Ok - would like to add here some important info that mixing different coolant types is a BIG NO NO! If you do it by mistake, it will form into a jelly type fluid and makes it very difficult to move around the engine block, radiator, thermostat etc. It turns to sludge over a small period of time and can become very corrosive internally. Try to avoid doing this at all costs. I would recommend you ONLY buy the Holden recommended type. Check your owners manual or speak to the spare parts guys and tell them your VIN number so you get the correct grade. Do a through flush and mix at 50% (Gen III motor) or refer to owners manual again for correct concentration mix.

[banga]

or you could go to a radiator shop and buy some gen stuff off them if they are handy

[JMKVTSS]

Hey Mate, the red nulon coolant that you got is correct, as previously mentioned, NEVER mix coolant types unless you want throw money away, and if its down only a little bit, just top up with demineralised water (you can get it from supermarkets for a couple of dollars)

But! if its down a lot or its been going down over a few weeks, check for leaks around hoses and the water pump... If yours has done over 140000km then check the water pump... (they usually need replacing around the 140000 - 160000 mark) i know, i just replaced mine!

Oh, and go to Repco, at least they know what they are talking about...