griff66 Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 what with a long cold winter predicted .its time to make sure you have good antifreeze in your vehicles i know i need to top mine up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big ray Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 what with a long cold winter predicted .its time to make sure you have good antifreeze in your vehicles i know i need to top mine up! Yes, thank you for the prompt.:goodidea: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 ... and if you're using conventional wet lead-acid batteries, either keep them fully charged or take them out and put them somewhere warmer. The electrolyte in discharged batteries can freeze and crack the battery case. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topdog Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 ... and if you're using conventional wet lead-acid batteries, either keep them fully charged or take them out and put them somewhere warmer. The electrolyte in discharged batteries can freeze and crack the battery case. Andy Ahhh, that will be what happened to mine a couple of years ago then. The Ferret is kept outside all year. Cheers Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griff66 Posted September 24, 2011 Author Share Posted September 24, 2011 plus good idea to gave it a little drive even in out garage etc keeps seals lubricated will avoid wheel stations leaking next year! oh and on ferret leave handbrake off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellstar Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 And maybe put the camping gear (tents & cammo netting etc) out for a final air on Wednesday/Thursday in the mini-heatwave before packing away for the long winter slumber :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 I use 50/50 anti freeze mix. NEVER use distilled or De-Ionised water!!! It will draw ions and therefore corrode the metal. The old British Army advice is best 'Use Fresh Rain Water'. In London the water is so hard you chew it. I normally leave a plastic dustbin out to collect rain from straight down, not metal. Filter through an old nylon stocking. Cumbersome and quaint, but works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diamond-t-steve Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 (edited) I may be wrong but I have always been taught that rainwater that has not touched any metal is distilled water.... Quote from net.. Distilled water is preferable to tap water for use in automotive cooling systems. The minerals and ions typically found in tap water can be corrosive to internal engine components, and can cause a more rapid depletion of the anti-corrosion additives found in most antifreeze formulations Edited September 25, 2011 by diamond-t-steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Farrant Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 I may be wrong but I have always been taught that rainwater that has not touched any metal is distilled water.... Quote from net.. Distilled water is preferable to tap water for use in automotive cooling systems. The minerals and ions typically found in tap water can be corrosive to internal engine components, and can cause a more rapid depletion of the anti-corrosion additives found in most antifreeze formulations Steve, You are right about rain water, not having touched metal, being as good as distilled, and thus is good for topping up batteries ................but, when you come to think of it, if you put water that has not contacted metal, into a cooling system, it is immediately contacting metal !!! I think those of us in a hard water area should preferably use a rain water for cooling, due to the amount of chalk and scale that comes from the tap water, just look inside the kettle. It depends on what area your water supply is coming from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 (edited) Round here Richard, as you know the first time you boil the kettle is the last time you see the bottom! Rain water is clean, but still has some residue in it from atmospheric pollutants, and the ions. The very pure water distilled on nuclear submarines has the odd side effect of removing calcium from bones of the crew. This is then passed in a solid form. It plays merry hell with the toilet systems apparently. The macerators used to chop and diperse the waste are jammed by the stones. I was also advised years ago by an old mechanic to add K Bar conditioner to the system when I cagnged anti freeze, I've done that ever since. Touch wood never lost one to freezing. Edited September 25, 2011 by Tony B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griff66 Posted October 3, 2012 Author Share Posted October 3, 2012 yep that time again! ANTI FREEZE for our mvs dont want to hear any stories about wanted next year, new engine due to block cracking!!!!!:cool2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrettkitt Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 yep that time again! ANTI FREEZE for our mvs dont want to hear any stories about wanted next year, new engine due to block cracking!!!!!:cool2: Don't take offence but shouldn't this be in most engines already as a basic anti corrosion jobby? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
griff66 Posted October 3, 2012 Author Share Posted October 3, 2012 it Should be yes!!!!!:cool2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Invest a few quid in Hygometers, one for Anti Freeze and one for Battery, cheap simple and soooo useful!:-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Degsy Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 I assume you mean hydrometers rather than hygrometers but for batteries and anti freeze two totally different types of hydrometer are needed. As with most things the cheap types with just a float marked with perhaps three colours are a complete waste of money as they are far too inaccurate. For antifreeze it needs to have a built in thermometer to work out the percentage of antifreeze as the temperature of the sample is critical to work out an accurate result. Likewise with the battery one it needs to be of good quality accurately marked for specific gravity not just colours on the float. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Degsey's better than a dictonary! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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