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tow bar
by G Walker - 24/08/26 06:52 PM
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Forums39
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Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Jun 2022
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Has a lot to Say!
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Has a lot to Say!
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For completeness, here's what I've just dropped off at my local recycling centre. I did my level best to make sure I collected as much of the old red stuff as I could during my multiple flushes with de-ironised water, ensuring I could ethically dispose of all the wase coolant. ![[Linked Image]](https://i.ibb.co/QFCZN7xR/20251109-152836.jpg) And here's what the header tank looks like after the final bleed and fill with Prestone concentrate, a successful job that's clear from the difference in colour beteeen the old and new coolant. ![[Linked Image]](https://i.ibb.co/qFyms7Lh/Had-Tank-After-Prestone-Coolant-Change.jpg)
Last edited by Montegue; 09/11/25 05:42 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2015
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Talk Morgan Expert
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Talk Morgan Expert
Joined: Jun 2015
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Not when my final fill is using the concentrate I specifically purchased for the job Deejay  ![[Linked Image]](https://i.ibb.co/sd38R7h3/20251109-111027-1.jpg) The pre-mix was left over from another job, so as it was effectively free to me, I extravagantly used it for the last flush  I appreciate Prestone say their coolant is compatible with all other colours/types of coolant, but I wanted to be 100% sure all the old red [and likely tap water] was completely removed. So, after getting the rad running with clear and pure de-ironised water I just ran the 4 litres of pre-mix through that I had left over from the Elan job for good measure. Here's what came out from that last luxury flush  ![[Linked Image]](https://i.ibb.co/99BGL7Q7/20251109-134052.jpg) Rest assured the final fill ratio has been carefully calculated, actually it's comically easy to calculate because the concentrate comes in a 4 litre jug. The truth is doing the last luxury flush with pre-mix just means there will have been some pre-mix left in the line and at the very bottom of the rad, the drain plug on my Mulfab aluminum rad is horizontal. In summary, Monty is now running closer to 55% Prestone concentrate and 45% pure de-ironised water, it's the most accurate way I could fully ensure a completely safe mix of the two new elements. And nothing else from the past  I'm confident what's in there now is just the following: 1. New Prestone coolant 2. Fresh de-irionised water I'm happy with that  Thanks for that Dave. I obviously mis-read your missive.Thought it still worth highlighting though, for others who may not have given it the same consideration.
Doug
2011 Plus 4 in Rich Maroon
1972 750 “ComDom” sprinter
1958 Triton 650
1992 Triumph Trophy 900
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The tank still needs cleaning Deejay, I'm going to give Sterident and a session in the dishwasher a go. ![[Linked Image]](https://i.ibb.co/YBThJBW8/IMG-20251109-WA0010.jpg) Ideally I'd like an ally tank, being Mk1 Focus you'd think there'd be more options, but I havent been able to find one at a reasonable price yet 
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Needs to Get Out More!
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Needs to Get Out More!
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Guess it would be wise to get the actual concentration scientifically measured after running for a while for peace of mind? Yes I use a refractometer such as picture link below to confirm coolant freezing point in each vehicle before winter. ![[Linked Image]](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/0YkAAOSw29xnpcb0/s-l1600.jpg)
Richard
2018 Roadster 3.7
1966 Land Rover S2a 88
2024 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450
1945 Guzzi Airone
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Graham, G4FUJ |
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Scruffy Oik Member of the Inner Circle
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Yes I use a refractometer Yep, me too. Very handy bit of kit.
Tim H.
1986 4/4 VVTi Sport, 2002 LR Defender, 2022 Mini Cooper SE
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Yes Djay, I worked out when doing all the flushes that I could only refill through the header tank to a maximum of 4 3/4 Lt with the thermostat closed so when I was satisfied that the whole system was full of clean water I drained down the system ( as much as I could) and refilled with neat concentrate at just under 5 Lt. The last 1/4 Lt I mixed in the bottle 50/50 with water. I then started the car and took it to thermostat open temp where after cooling I was able to top the system to the correct level on the header tank using the remaining mix.. After a couple of days of running I then checked the coolant concentration and it was spot on for a 50/50 mix strength.
So the final fluid used in the system consisted of just under 5 Lt of concentrate and 5Lt of distilled water. This was effectively mixed by the water pump within the engine when running and allowed me to obtain the correct mixture strength.
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Deejay |
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Joined: Jun 2015
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Talk Morgan Expert
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Talk Morgan Expert
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The tank still needs cleaning Deejay, I'm going to give Sterident and a session in the dishwasher a go. Ideally I'd like an ally tank, being Mk1 Focus you'd think there'd be more options, but I havent been able to find one at a reasonable price yet Had a closer look at my tank today and the vertical surfaces are very clean; BUT, I now see that the horizontal section that is at about the same height as the MAX level, has a thin layer of brown sludge. I would not have noticed unless I looked up from below. A finger in the tank won’t reach it due to baffles in the way. Is this where yours is still mucky? Be good to hear if your “dental” approach is effective. On the subject of a metal tank, the drawback of course is that you would never be able to see any muck building up, and I have heard of sight-tubes/glasses clouding over and difficult to clean.
Doug
2011 Plus 4 in Rich Maroon
1972 750 “ComDom” sprinter
1958 Triton 650
1992 Triumph Trophy 900
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Has a lot to Say!
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Deejay, That sludgy build up is what spurred me into action re. a proper flush rather than just a coolant change. Again my old fluid looked fairly new when drained yet the flushing process proved that clay like greasy brown debris was present throughout the engine and radiator. I've heard of the sterident cleaning method on header tanks but as you rightly described, the Ford header has a complex compartmentalised design and I felt to get the Sterident fully throughout the whole tank wasn't really feasible. Instead I used a washing machine liquid detergent in hot water using a bucket. I was then able to manipulate the header tank under the water to fill all the compartments. Left overnight it did a fairly good job. there is some slight discolouration to the plastic due to hot coolant but when refilled with the new coolant you cannot see this.
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Joined: Jun 2022
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I've literally thrown the kitchen sink at it, well, more accurately a few products I found under the kitchen sink Monty's expansion tank was filthy and well overdue a proper clean, if the mess that came out today is indicative of what others may find, I strongly recommend everyone checks the condition of their tank  ![[Linked Image]](https://i.ibb.co/k6XLzn7m/UV76JZMr.jpg) https://youtube.com/shorts/vbDBoVDDd0g?si=0dnBxUTAu0yBzBa0To finish the job off my overnight Steradent treatment is well underway, I went all out with a strong mix of boiling water and 20 tablets, l'll refit the tank tomorrow and call it done
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Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1,043 Likes: 148
Has a lot to Say!
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Has a lot to Say!
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And here's how Monty's expansion tank cleaned up, as covered previously it was in desperate need of a thorough clean. People may be interested to know that of all the cleaning chemicals I tried by far the most effective was the mix of boiling water and an estimated 15 Steradent tablets, this clearly makes for a powerful agent that in just 60 minutes did more to clean out the tank than all the other chemicals I tried combined. ![[Linked Image]](https://i.ibb.co/BVWwcGfg/SDjcd0TL.jpg) Steradent tablets are also way cheaper than anything else, I paid £1.50 for a tube of 30 tablets, so the treatment only cost me £0.75p leaving me with enough to clean the expansion tank on my wife's rather neglected Mazda2. I did leave the solution in Monty's tank all night, but it seemed to deliver 90% of the end result in the first 60 minutes, trust me Steradent is extremely powerful stuff! ![[Linked Image]](https://i.ibb.co/M5sH1bwq/1h1f3gmR.jpg) Re this last photo, this was taken pre-bleed, so I'd slightly overfilled the tank in preparation for the inevitable drop in level as trapped air burped it's way out, for the record a Duratec Plus 4 is more or less self bleeding. ![[Linked Image]](https://i.ibb.co/ksKRW4H5/T0zGaNMF.jpg) The process is no more complicated than opening the heater valve fully, leaving the expansion tank cap loose until the coolant reaches 80c, at which point I've found any residual air has naturally risen to the tank and readily escapes to atmosphere.
Last edited by Montegue; 16/11/25 10:02 AM.
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