Coolant

It  is a common misconception that the only job of coolant (as opposed to just water) is to keep a car cool when in fact water will do nearly as good a job under normal conditions.

Despite coolant having a higher boiling point which is becoming more important in modern cars, the biggest difference is the corrosion inhibitors and scale retardants.   Over time the coolant is reduced and the system is left vulnerable to corrosion.   This affects the radiator water outlets, core plugs, water pump and cylinder head, all of which can cause the car to be unreliable and subject to overheating.

Repairs to these components can be very costly.  Scale and sediment can build up in the system blocking the radiator and also causing overheating.   By flushing the system regularly and using a high quality coolant you reduce the risk of blockages and corrosion.

IF it has been some time since any work was done to the cooling system it may be necessary to remove the radiator for servicing and replace the thermostat.

It is also recommended that only distilled or filtered water be used as this has many of the impurities removed and will help in the longevity of your engine’s life.