Fiat coolant

[tkk]

Hi, my layout under the bonnet doesn’t look exactly like the Ducato manual. Just to clarify is the bottle on the right of the picture the coolant. If so does It need to be topped up with the Fiat recommended Paraflu Up or is there equivalent?
Ta

 

[Just smiffy]

Yes it’s low needs to go to just above the half way line I think, Halfords will do a pink equivalent…

 

[Gromett]

I have recently read that the colour is no longer a reliable indicator of the type of coolant to be used.
From memory there are two types and you have to ensure you use the right one, mixing them can cause them to congeal.

This is from memory, you may want to check yourself.

 

[Gromett]

Hi, my layout under the bonnet doesn’t look exactly like the Ducato manual. Just to clarify is the bottle on the right of the picture the coolant. If so does It need to be topped up with the Fiat recommended Paraflu Up or is there equivalent?
TaView attachment 1015394

You may want to find out where it is leaking from?

Take the oil cap off and see if there is a mayonaise like substance around the cap. This could/may indicate a gasket or other issue with the engine.

If not, then you may have a leaking pipe or radiator.

Best to find out early to fix it before anything bad happens.

 

[TerryL]

My reservoir bottle always seemed to go down to that level but never could find the leak. But the garage found it on the MoT, result one new radiator!

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[tkk]

Yes it’s low needs to go to just above the half way line I think, Halfords will do a pink equivalent…

You may want to find out where it is leaking from?

Take the oil cap off and see if there is a mayonaise like substance around the cap. This could/may indicate a gasket or other issue with the engine.

If not, then you may have a leaking pipe or radiator.

Best to find out early to fix it before anything bad happens.

Had cam belt n water pump changed 2 weeks ago. It’s possible they lost a bit n didn’t top up

 

[Gromett]

Had cam belt n water pump changed 2 weeks ago. It’s possible they lost a bit n didn’t top up

That would explain it nicely .

 

[L' Hobo]

Had cam belt n water pump changed 2 weeks ago. It’s possible they lost a bit n didn’t top up

Why did they change the water pump,was it already leaking.

My Fiat Professional mechanic mate, told me that it should last the life of the engine and ONLY change it IF there is a obvious problem. WHY, because changing it often leads to leaks from the mating surfaces?

Down blame just repeating something from someone who should know.

By the way, my 2007 67,000ml Ducato has the original water pump!

 

[SVMC15]

Had cam belt n water pump changed 2 weeks ago. It’s possible they lost a bit n didn’t top up

They should have lost it all if they changed the pump! Hopefully they hadn't bled the heater matrix fully and that is why the level has dropped.

You need OAT coolant. Organic Acid Technology. I would take it back to the garage and get them to top up as it was only a couple of weeks ago.

 

[the1andonly]

Why did they change the water pump,was it already leaking.

My Fiat Professional mechanic mate, told me that it should last the life of the engine and ONLY change it IF there is a obvious problem. WHY, because changing it often leads to leaks from the mating surfaces?

Down blame just repeating something from someone who should know.

By the way, my 2007 67,000ml Ducato has the original water pump!

I read a post on the Fiat forum about this point. He was the person responsible for a fleet of several hundred fleet hire vans he said they had only replaced one pump in 20 years, they sold on their vehicles after 300,000miles. This guy was held in great esteam by the Forum.

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[royandsharont]

There is a particular brand, which I cannot recall now, which advertises it can be used and mixed with any other.

 

[psyfried]

This is what i use

Prestone Ready to Use Coolant / Antifreeze | Longer Engine Life

Prestone is guaranteed for all cars and can be mixed with any other colour of coolant/antifreeze, for 10 years of protection.

www.prestoneuk.com

 

[oldiesontour]

Why did they change the water pump,was it already leaking.

My Fiat Professional mechanic mate, told me that it should last the life of the engine and ONLY change it IF there is a obvious problem. WHY, because changing it often leads to leaks from the mating surfaces?

Down blame just repeating something from someone who should know.

By the way, my 2007 67,000ml Ducato has the original water pump!

Glad you say someone who SHOULD know,I've changed many water pumps of this type have no idea how they make them leak, he's possibly right the pump may last the life of the engine as if the pump bearings fail the life of the engine may have just been attained ! Whilst doing a cam belt it is less than an hour to change the pump and many belt kits come with a pump.If bearings fail same effect as belt breaking,seal failure cambelt off to replace pump

 

[L' Hobo]

Glad you say someone who SHOULD know,I've changed many water pumps of this type have no idea how they make them leak, he's possibly right the pump may last the life of the engine as if the pump bearings fail the life of the engine may have just been attained ! Whilst doing a cam belt it is less than an hour to change the pump and many belt kits come with a pump.If bearings fail same effect as belt breaking,seal failure cambelt off to replace pump

Are you really talking about a Ducato X250?
Only an extra hour ay?

Just out of curiosity, how long does it take you to do both the belts and the pump?

 

[oldiesontour]

Are you really talking about a Ducato X250?
Only an extra hour ay?

Just out of curiosity, how long does it take you to do both the belts and the pump?

I've got mine to do so I'll time it,but as I'll be outside on a gravel drive in the cold I would expect 6 to7hrs ,under workshop kit and conditions more like 41/2 hrs

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[L' Hobo]

I've got mine to do so I'll time it,but as I'll be outside on a gravel drive in the cold I would expect 6 to7hrs ,under workshop kit and conditions more like 41/2 hrs

So why do the Fiat Professional workshops take, at least, 8hrs IF it includes waterpump.
They must have all the equipment!

I'm sure you find plenty of Funsters business if you found a workshop!

 

[oldiesontour]

Many members have paid either very low labour rates or realistic rates for less than eight hours,but even if you had to pay 2 hrs labour for a pump change it would still be worth whileIMO.

 

[oldiesontour]

So why do the Fiat Professional workshops take, at least, 8hrs IF it includes waterpump.
They must have all the equipment!

I'm sure you find plenty of Funsters business if you found a workshop!

If 8 hrs is what fiat charge it seems from Google most independent garages are a lot quicker averaging 4 1/2 hrs ,I have been quoted £280 Inc vat labour by a local MOT garage,

 

[SVMC15]

If 8 hrs is what fiat charge it seems from Google most independent garages are a lot quicker averaging 4 1/2 hrs ,I have been quoted £280 Inc vat labour by a local MOT garage,

That's a great price!!

 

[L' Hobo]

If 8 hrs is what fiat charge it seems from Google most independent garages are a lot quicker averaging 4 1/2 hrs ,I have been quoted £280 Inc vat labour by a local MOT garage,

IF you can get the job done including water pump for just over 200 quid (excluding VAT), I think you should tell everyone the name of the garage although, personally, I wouldn't go near them, far too cheap.

Unless the parts are costing £400 of course?

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[oldiesontour]

IF you can get the job done including water pump for just over 200 quid (excluding VAT), I think you should tell everyone the name of the garage although, personally, I wouldn't go near them, far too cheap.

Unless the parts are costing £400 of course?

£280 presume not vat regd so add parts around £400 which is very similar to what other independents have charged,it's only around 4 to 4 1/2 hours labour ,but sure main dealer will be happy to take your money
As a point of interest if main dealers say they don't do water pumps because they last the life of the engine,A.what do they say is the life of the engine? B.If the pump fails in 2 or 3 years would it be a warranty claim ?

 

[L' Hobo]

£280 presume not vat regd so add parts around £400 which is very similar to what other independents have charged,it's only around 4 to 4 1/2 hours labour ,but sure main dealer will be happy to take your money
As a point of interest if main dealers say they don't do water pumps because they last the life of the engine,A.what do they say is the life of the engine? B.If the pump fails in 2 or 3 years would it be a warranty claim ?

I think Fiat themselves say, the life of the vehicle.
What that means, I neither know or care.

As I said earlier, I have had no problems with my 18yr old Ducato which has travelled 67,000.ml and it takes a lot to impress me BUT an engine of that age and mileage that does not use any oil or water between services, does impress me!

PS. It STILL has it's original Throttle Body which, apparently, is something of a miracle?
It's nice to know that the love and care I give the mechanical side of the van results in a reliable vehicle!