Sam Harland Posted October 22, 2023 Share Posted October 22, 2023 Hi all does anyone know what’s the best coolant to use for my C20XE Redtop Westfield? It currently seems to have the bluey/ green colour in it. I just need to top up as I’ve had a leak from the expansion cap. Many thanks Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evosteve Posted October 22, 2023 Share Posted October 22, 2023 Blue/green or normally Ethylene Glycol based so stick with the same. If you have not changed it for a while it may be worth changing it. A drain, flush and fill use 50% for best antifreeze and anticorrosion. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Harland Posted October 22, 2023 Author Share Posted October 22, 2023 Many thanks Steve Is there a recommended brand or will any do the job? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evosteve Posted October 22, 2023 Share Posted October 22, 2023 I normally go for one on offer at my local motor factors and a known brand. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Carrot Steve Posted October 22, 2023 Share Posted October 22, 2023 1 hour ago, evosteve said: Blue/green or normally Ethylene Glycol based so stick with the same. If you have not changed it for a while it may be worth changing it. A drain, flush and fill use 50% for best antifreeze and anticorrosion. What do you flush the old out with? In fact how do you flush it out? And where, just disconnect a lowdown coolant hose? Never done mine before. It's a Zetec just in case it matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evosteve Posted October 22, 2023 Share Posted October 22, 2023 Just plenty of water from garden hose, pull off a hose or hoses and run until clean in both directions. Do the rad at the same time, it may be worth taking off the thermostat housing to flush in each direction if easy to do. The block may also have a drain plug. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted October 22, 2023 Share Posted October 22, 2023 The original glycol ethanol coolant was Bluecol although I'm not sure if it's available any more. I now use Comma which is the same and coloured blue. You can buy specific rad flush to clean the coolant system, seen it in Halfords. As Steve says use a hosepipe and copious water to flush out. Disconnect hoses where you can and flush both ways on each section of cooling system for a couple of minutes. Make sure you remove the 20mm hose at the back of cylinder head at some point else the cylinder head won't get flushed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Harland Posted October 23, 2023 Author Share Posted October 23, 2023 I’ve been doing a bit of research online which of course is sometimes a bit but I’ve read a few times on Vauxhall forums etc that the C20XE is meant to run on Red coolant not blue? Does anyone know for sure if this is the case or does it matter using blue or red (obviously not mixed together) I also read that red is good for aluminium engines and blue for cast iron?? many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephenh Posted October 23, 2023 Share Posted October 23, 2023 The difference, so far as I am aware, is that the blue (or green) is a shorter recommended life than the red (or pink) so all or most of the manufacturers will recommend the red or pink. But I don't think either is "bad" for engines, whether iron or aluminium. I used to use blue rather than red in my Westfield because there was no way the engine was going to go 5 years without an engine refresh. Main thing is don't mix them, I believe you are at risk of getting a sludge in the system if you do, which can block the radiator etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SootySport Posted October 23, 2023 Share Posted October 23, 2023 Only reason Blue coolant was used in C20XE engines is because the red G12 or G30 was not around when the C20XE engine was first built in the '80's. You can of course use either. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evosteve Posted October 23, 2023 Share Posted October 23, 2023 I use Blue/green as that what's used in the XE engine went new. Any as long as it's for cast iron/alloy mix. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Harland Posted October 23, 2023 Author Share Posted October 23, 2023 Brill thanks everyone very useful info much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Carrot Steve Posted October 23, 2023 Share Posted October 23, 2023 For what it's worth both my Zetec and GSX-R1000 engines use the red/orange stuff. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrzej Posted October 23, 2023 Share Posted October 23, 2023 I use Prestone coolant - they claim that it is for "all makes, models and age of vehicle, and can be mixed safely with any coolant already in the vehicles system". So its very convenient. Only in track cars I am trying to use water + Water Wetter (or sth similar from Motul) . 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Harland Posted October 23, 2023 Author Share Posted October 23, 2023 Great stuff Andrzej thanks for the info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.