Choose your anti-freeze & screenwash for classic cars carefully The "All Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group" have a website with an news item that says: " When you next re-fill or top up your classic car with anti-freeze, TAKE CARE. Most stores and garages now sell red anti–freeze, which lasts longer. However, it also can attack seals, gaskets and hoses used in classic and historic vehicles. So, don’t ’put your car at risk. Avoid the red stuff at all costs and stick to the more traditional blue or green varieties". http://historicvehicles.org.uk/hvg6.php See more information on antifreeze available on the V8 website Articles on antifreeze coolants for MGV8s See the information gateway. 120408 More Antifreeze coolants and their use in MGBGTV8 engines Concerns over the effects new types of antifreeze have on older engines have been raised and here Tony Lake provides a useful summary. 120312 More Concerns with modern antifreeze formulations for classic MG enthusiasts. 090310 More Antifreeze coolants and their use in MGBGTV8 engines. 141204 More Organic Acid Technology (OAT) Chris Hunt Cooke notes "I think it is a genuine concern but not a new one, a Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT) but 10 or 15 years ago antifreeze using Organic Acid Technology (OAT) was introduced with the advantage that it was more resistant to decomposing in use and therefore had a longer effective life, say 5 years compared to 2 years. Colour is not an infallible guide but OAT products tend to be green or blue and IAT ones amber or red. It is said that the products should not be mixed, OAT can cause additives in IAT to precipitate out". Traditional Ethylene Glycol based antifreeze and engine coolant (A/F) This is provided by Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG). When mixed with water at a concentration of 10% the freezing point is -4° C falling to -35° C at a 50% concentration. A 50/50 mixture is recommended for the Rover V8 engine. Typical MEG concentration in undiluted A/F is 95%. The remaining 5% consists of inhibitors that provide corrosion protection for aluminium alloys, cast iron, steel, brass, copper and lead solder. Traditional A/F formulations are also known as Inorganic Additive Technology ( IAT). The same coolant provides enhanced summer time performance. Source: Tony Lake. More Posted: 220115 Antifreeze Bluecol 5 year red antifreeze is a methanol-free, Ethylene Glycol based antifreeze and engine coolant. Bluecol* 5 year extended life antifreeze is silicate free and incorporates the latest in Organic Acid Technology (OAT). Bluecol 5 year antifreeze can be kept in your radiator system all year round to maintain protection against winter freezing and summer overheating, whilst at the same time protecting the materials in the cooling system against rust and corrosion. It does not evaporate in use and is not flammable. Bluecol 5 year antifreeze conforms to BS6580 (2010) and contains a bittering agent to prevent accidental swallowing and consequential harmful effects to humans and animals. *Not suitable for Classic or Vintage vehicles. Text above is from the Bluecol website Bluecol 2 Year Blue Antifreeze is a traditional methanol-free, Ethylene Glycol based antifreeze and engine coolant. It can be kept in your radiator system all year round to maintain protection against winter freezing and summer overheating, whilst at the same time protecting the materials in the cooling system against rust and corrosion. It's suitable for all cooling system metals, including aluminium and iron. It does not evaporate in use and is not flammable. An Ethylene Glycol based antifreeze and engine coolan that does not incorporate Organic Acid Technology (OAT) and is suitable for classic & vintage vehicles. Text above is from the Bluecol website Screen Wash Bluecol 3 in 1 Winter Screen Wash with De-Icer and Rain Repellent has been scientifically formulated to clear the windscreen of ice and light frost whilst adding an additional rain repellent coating. It contains powerful cleaning agents which quickly remove dirt, grime and insect deposits from windscreens without smearing, for better and safer visibility in all driving conditions. It also offers winter protection down to -18°C to help prevent the washer bottle contents from freezing and to clean the windscreen washer system which helps prevent bacterial growth. Bluecol screen wash will not damage wiper blades or rubber seals and is compatible with modern polycarbonate and plexiglass head lights. Text above is from the Bluecol website Bluecol Sub Zero Ready Mixed Screen Wash contains powerful cleaning agents which quickly remove dirt, grime and insect deposits from windscreens without smearing, for better and safer visibility in all driving conditions. Add directly to washer bottle to help prevent freezing down to -6°C and to also clean and purify the windscreen washer system which helps prevent bacterial growth. Bluecol Ready Mixed screen wash will not damage wiper blades or rubber seals and is compatible with modern polycarbonate and plexiglass head lights. Text above is from the Bluecol website