Coolant Spec ?

[sparkyman]

Hi All,

Another question please.

Coolant was last changed in my Roadster 5 years ago (according to service history) - unsure of correct spec or colour, as it appears black at the moment ??

Can't seem to find what spec. is required, although I see Blues, Pinks, Reds, Greens, even Purple. Some are G12 or G13 type ??

What should I use ?

Thanks

[tolsen]

Smart uses a BASF Glysantin G48 based coolant.

[sparkyman]

Hi Tolsen,

Thanks for the information - G48 ? (all these different G numbers ....)

I did a quick bit of research and found COMMA G48 - it mentions on the label "Glysantin - a product of BASF....." etc

The coolant was last changed in 2010, by MB Main Dealer, but there is no invoice to back up what coolant was actually used ?


I intend to drain the system, then re-fill with water & flush/drain again before new coolant.

Thanks for your help

[10:45PM]

Maybe you've seen this helpful chart already (which corroborates Tolsen) as (greeny blue) G48

http://www.glysantin.de/fileadmin/Fi...list_car_e.pdf

Noting also:

The color of the coolant is defined in the specification from the vehicle manufacturers and is also a small but important part of the official approval from the vehicle manufacturers. Important note: By the color alone, it is not possible to identify the engine coolant. The color of the engine coolant does not define the chemical and technical properties.

[sparkyman]

Hi 10:45,

Thanks for the link - do you know if G48 is a generic fluid type, or a Glynsantin specific reference No. ?

I've done a quick search on eBay for G48 Coolant and the only listings are all COMMA brand, with 1x Motorex ?

[10:45PM]

*I think* brands will reference to the Glysantin types (it being part of the largest chemical company in the world (BASF) ) - i.e. I think the G numbers come from Glysantin originally

See this list from Glysantin http://www.glysantin.de/fileadmin/Fi...ovals_A4_e.pdf

So go looking for G48 antifreeze , you'll see there are lots of brands ... all most likely being ultimately supplied via Glysantin.


I could be talking bollox , but it's the best I can come up with

[sparkyman]

..read a few articles now - coomon theme appears to be that G48 is a Dark bluish-green in colour..... which could be the "black" colour I see in my expansion bottle (poor lighting in back of garage).

this would also tie in with the last recorded coolant change being performed by a MB main Dealer - so I assume they would have used MB OEM coolant (G48) ?

Still can't find any retail brand other than COMMA though (with the exception of 1x Motorex listing on eBay)

Anyway - I guess G48 it is, so thanks to all for helping again

[10:45PM]

http://www.mobil.co.uk/UK-English-LCW/carengineoils_car-care-products_mobil-antifreeze-extra.aspx

[mccsmart2002]

Just to add a couple of things to ths topic. The actual colour of the anti-freeze makes no difference as that is merely a dye that is added to differentiate between the types.

I use Comma G48 (which is MB 325.0 approved), and has a recommended service life of 3 years.

[Evilution]

Just go to smart and buy coolant, it's actually quite cheap.

[sparkyman]

Thanks for the extra info everybody - will search for Mobil 10:45

Mccsmart2002 - understand colour can not determine fluid spec, but there seems to be some correlation between certain brands - thanks for the confirmation

Evilution - nearest MB/Smart dealer is a 50 mile round trip unfortunately, but I'll give them a call and enquire. Price is not so much an issue, I was just curious as to why the eBay searches only threw up COMMA brand. I kindof realise now some brands (like Mobil) don't included the G48 reference in their product name.....

Thanks for all your help

[Evilution]

I bought mine from eBay from a smart dealer 350 miles away from me and it was delivered for the same price as driving to a dealer and buying it.

[137699]

Bluecol coolant.

[tolsen]

I simply add a wee bit of corrosion inhibitor provided freezing point is still low enough.

[sparkyman]

... Have some G48 Concentrate on it's way - job for next weekend

Thanks to everybody for their valued input

Car is coming together quite nicely now - list of issues is slowly getting smaller !