Red / Orange coolant question

[haymitch]

Had an oil cooler / heat exchanger oil seal on my Volvo 940 replaced last week because of a minor oil leak. I took it to a garage and asked them to replace it (involving draining oil and coolant in the process).

I noticed this morning that the coolant they've replaced it with is red / orange. If I remember rightly this is not good. It looks online like orange coolant is okay (Dexcool) but red is the wrong one. Shouldn't it be green ethylene glycol though ? Some people online suggest that colour doesn't matter as long as it's ethylene glycol based.

Could someone confirm please that the coolant HAS to be green? Or is possible that the orange / red coolant is ethylene glycol based as well? When I phone up I'd like to fully armed (if needed) so I can get them to change it to the right stuff.

[jpliddy]

hi pity you didn't get the volvo coolant from dealer its not that expensive 50/50 mix been using it for 20 years in my diesel i replace it at 3 year intervals easy job and all good so far . the garage stuff should be ok .
but you cant beat genuine blue/green volvo !!!! only my personal views

[360beast]

As long as it is ethylene glycol it is fine. I've got red glycol in my Fabia VRS, they also do purple, green and blue. Colour means nothing at all in reality but because OAT (Organic Acid Technology) coolant is most commonly red/pink/orange colour people assume it is the wrong coolant. Phone them up and ask what coolant they used and if it is Ethlyene Glycol.

[bob12]

Colour has turned into a disaster area these day with absolutely no standard ... not that there was one before but with the introduction of OAT's there needs to be a standard. Bob

[940volvoman]

Its also worth fitting a coolant level sensor and warning light if you haven't got one.

Shaun

[Bob Meadows]

https://www.v8register.net/FilesV8WN...s%20090310.pdf
http://www.da7c.co.uk/technical_torq...antifreeze.htm
https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/imgytr/hi...antifreeze.pdf

You are correct: ~ Orange will usually indicate the newer type of antifreeze OAT: ~ see above caution notes against the use in classic engines- as you indicate the type used in your car needs to be clearly identified. Regarding Volvo 50/50 mix or any other brand of premixed coolant; you are paying for 50% Water! I won’t throw my money away like that! Go for the brand you prefer but dilute it yourself.
Trust it helps. Bob.

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by haymitch

Had an oil cooler / heat exchanger oil seal on my Volvo 940 replaced last week because of a minor oil leak. I took it to a garage and asked them to replace it (involving draining oil and coolant in the process).

I noticed this morning that the coolant they've replaced it with is red / orange. If I remember rightly this is not good. It looks online like orange coolant is okay (Dexcool) but red is the wrong one. Shouldn't it be green ethylene glycol though ? Some people online suggest that colour doesn't matter as long as it's ethylene glycol based.

Could someone confirm please that the coolant HAS to be green? Or is possible that the orange / red coolant is ethylene glycol based as well? When I phone up I'd like to fully armed (if needed) so I can get them to change it to the right stuff.

I think you need to see exactly what they put it and not just take their word for it.

As has been mentioned by others, some ethylene glycol is orange or red but generally it is blue or green. If they try telling you it's OAT but safe to use, tell them it isn't and needs a seriously strong flushing to remove it then refilling with ethylene glycol.

WHat isn't mentioned in any of the technical stuff Bob Meadows linked to is the fact OAT will attack cast iron blocks/components causing the cylinder block in the case of the red-block to rot from the inside out.

The OAT was developed by the Japanese because EG was corroding the aluminium in all-aluminium engines, took a while before people found it rotted cast iron though but considering it's an acid..........

Which garage did the work?

[J liddy]

Originally Posted by Bob Meadows

https://www.v8register.net/FilesV8WN...s%20090310.pdf
http://www.da7c.co.uk/technical_torq...antifreeze.htm
https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/imgytr/hi...antifreeze.pdf

You are correct: ~ Orange will usually indicate the newer type of antifreeze OAT: ~ see above caution notes against the use in classic engines- as you indicate the type used in your car needs to be clearly identified. Regarding Volvo 50/50 mix or any other brand of premixed coolant; you are paying for 50% Water! I won’t throw my money away like that! Go for the brand you prefer but dilute it yourself.
Trust it helps. Bob.

I. Got volvo coolant neat and mixed my own water with it didnt mention any type of water so hope its ok as ive been doing this for years .have volvo changed the formula of coolant now and added VOLVO WATER which is interesting .

[Ian21401]

Originally Posted by Bob Meadows

https://www.v8register.net/FilesV8WN...s%20090310.pdf
http://www.da7c.co.uk/technical_torq...antifreeze.htm
https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/imgytr/hi...antifreeze.pdf

Regarding Volvo 50/50 mix or any other brand of premixed coolant; you are paying for 50% Water! I won’t throw my money away like that! Go for the brand you prefer but dilute it yourself.
Trust it helps. Bob.

Surely you didn’t think that he was buying a premix from Volvo.

[haymitch]

Thanks for the advice everyone - I'll phone them and check that they didn't use the OAT coolant tomorrow and then update. Heh, nothing is ever simple!