Some good points above, though also some apparent confusion. Just to repeat, I've replaced my coolant and radiator hose.
The issue was whether I should offer the old coolant (and the bit of fresh I have left over) to another teacher with a leaky system in her Skoda, on the basis that it would be better than water.
I've reluctantly concluded not to do that, since I might get the blame if it fails, and since its probably been running water only for several years, its quite likely to fail.
It is generally hard to get automotive stuff here, since there is essentially no DIY and the trade is a closed shop. You generally have to buy parts through a "friendly" mechanic, which is how I got the hose. Friendly because a lot of them can't be bothered if you aren't giving them the work, and if they do order stuff for you are likely to stick you with a sizable mark-up.
Consumables like coolant, oil and filters are exceptions, since you can buy them in some supermarkets and "Furry Dice" accessory stores. I couldn't find anything with a known brand or labelling in English but I have seen Shell and Peak in the past.
I have not, unfortunately, seen any non-antifreeze corrosion protection products here. They would seem to be appropriate for this market, but lack of informed consumers may mean there is no demand. Ebay sellers won't usually deliver to Taiwan and shipping charges would be high if they did.
Cars die early here, at around 10 years, for cultural reasons, notably poor maintenance and "face" (status) considerations which make people reluctant to run old cars. My car is 30 years old, but its been in foreign ownership for a lot of that time.
German cars (and probably Skoda by association) are said to fare especially badly, partly because of especially degradable plastics which don't stand up to the heat.
Toyota's are said to last best, which is a global truism, or was until recently.
The home-made radiator hose was garden hose reinforced with a spiral of glassfibe-reinforced polythene box tape, applied onto impact adhesive, with an outer layer of electrical wire applied as common whipping. It was quite neat but I butchered it a bit when I shortened it. It showed no sign of failure but it was leaking a little where it joined the radiator.
|