Hi guys
Just wondering
How many of you run just water in the radiator?
Is coolant a necessity or not?
Thanks in advance

If you run plain water, everything rusts in there. I use 25% ethylene glycol coolant in tap water.
For its corrosion protection, not antifreeze benefit.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Thanks Drmini

coolant is "water"

"Corrosion Inhibitor" is the green (or red) stuff that you put in "With" the water
to help prevent "corrosion",,, hence why it`s called "Corrosion Inhibitor"

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

And with modern cars there is pink, red, blue, green and so on!!! Every car manufacturer has to have a different coolant.
Just don't mix different coolants together. A good flush before putting in a different coolant.

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1963 Morris 850 Smoke Grey
1963 Morris 850 Shadow Blue
1965 Morris Mini Smooth Van
1966 Morris Mini Van
1969 Morris Mini Deluxe Resto
5/72 Clubman Gt

I use the green ethylene glycol concentrate.
Sorry, I should not have called it coolant.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

It does also increase the boiling temperature and reduce the freezing temperature (anti freeze)

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I have conducted tests on so called "Radiator inhibitors". I can not mention the name or brand of S#1t. A car owner had a brand new radiator fitted to his car on a Toyota Prado after an accident. The system was flushed and refilled with this "Green" inhibitor. Three months later the radiator developed pinholes like you would not believe. Car was transported to the Garage where the Radiator was fitted. The Mechanics started a dispute with the supplier of the chemical. When the representatives from the Chemical suppliers came to have a look at the problem wanted to say that the vehicle had a stray current running through the water which is leaking from somewhere in the wiring system. This is where I was called in. I did a voltage test between the vehicle's earth and the water in the radiator. My meter was showing me that there was Voltage in the radiator water. I went through and disconnected any suspect switches or sensors on the engine to try and see if it goes away. We disconnected everything and eventually even the battery itself. Voltage was still there. I ended up draining the coolant and flushing the complete system thoroughly and re filled it again with clean Tap water. Again I did all the testing I previously did when the system had the GREEN Chemical in it and miracle.... no stray currents. The chemical in the system was reacting with the copper and producing the voltage acting like an accumulator. We drained the system again re filled with a 50-50 mix of the RED Toyota inhibitor which is suggested by Toyota. There were so stray currents or voltages any more. I did this testing and procedures about 8 years ago and the vehicle today is still running around Happy with no radiator leaks. From this I learnt a lesson for myself too, not to use any coolant additives other than the Red Toyota Long life one. I use it in all my cars. I also have to point out here that any other additive used on cars seem to corrode where it leaks out from under hoses especially on Alloy parts. That straight away tells you something.

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DID I MENTION THAT I AM THE BEST SUPPLIER FOR MINI ELECTRICAL PARTS AND REPAIRS?
"Let us remove your "SHORTS"

Hi Tony.

Toyota says their premixed red coolant is a 50/50 mix of glycol and water. how is this different to the one that was causing the problems? I am curious if the other one was a glycol one and if it was a concentrate etc.

I note Nulon sell a product that they say is equivalent.

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Cheers
Alec
1275LS - July 78 - XNFAD18Y/102918

Well, Different, according to my testing which I did document at the time there must be some chemical in the locally produced "Coolant" the manufacturer or supplier uses and it not correct but like I said it is causing problems. The Toyota coolant does not do the same thing weather it is the full concentrate or the 50 50.

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DID I MENTION THAT I AM THE BEST SUPPLIER FOR MINI ELECTRICAL PARTS AND REPAIRS?
"Let us remove your "SHORTS"