Antifreeze Question?

[keith9534]

Hi

 

Read a couple of older threads about the "correct" type of anti-freeze and got all confused as I am trying to get the correct stuff for my 1996 Tdi Galaxy

 

I phoned Frauds and got further p***** off! They tell me that as they "only sell" one type then that must be Ok for all engines. Despite the manual saying that I should use G11 spec (whatever that is?) I can`t find anything with that number on. Local Motor Factors have multi-purpose stuff which their book sugests is the correct one for my car but again no mention of G11?

 

At present whats left in the system after changing the radiator is green and the expansion tank is marked G11....can I add anything to this safely?

 

On a previous thread it worried me that mixing old spec with new would cause blocking...or is that just for G12 stuff? (copied below)

 

All VAG engines (i.e. all the diesels, the petrol V6 ones as well as all VW/SEAT variants) require to be filled with antifreeze to VW spec G12 plus. (G12+). Earlier models - 98 were filled with G11 which is green, G12+ is a pale pinkish colour when diluted. DO NOT FILL WITH THE OLD SPEC G12 (i.e. look for the plus) or any other brand of antifreeze as the combination will chemically form a gel that blocks radiators etc. and is almost impossible to remove.

 

 

HELP!!.....please!

[anadin]

have you tried a vw dealer ?

[sepulchrave]

...Or you could just drop all the coolant and flush and refill with whatever you like (Ribena is my favourite, yum yum) :)

[seatkid]

The only antifreeze available from VAG (VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda) outlets nowadays is G12+. It is fully compatible with older spec VW engines G11 and G12. It is pink, but can be mixed safely with the green G11.

 

Don't use "universal" antifreeze such as that available from Halfords!!

[keith9534]

The only antifreeze available from VAG (VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda) outlets nowadays is G12+. It is fully compatible with older spec VW engines G11 and G12. It is pink, but can be mixed safely with the green G11.

 

Don't use "universal" antifreeze such as that available from Halfords!!

 

Thanks for the advice about G12+

 

Is there any reason not to use universal stuff..........my local motor-factors recommended car plan as acceptable by Ford (but I`m not sure myself?)

[tim-spam]

Cheap 'universal' antifreeze uses a silicate based corrosion inhibitor, which is fine for older engine designs, but more modern engines (from around the early 1990's) run higher cylinder head temperatures due, amongst other things, to tighter emissions regulations. This would cause the silicate based corrosion inhibitor in 'universal' antifreeze to degrade at a much higher rate than hitherto, and lose it's corrosion protection properties - even on older engine designs, the recommended change interval is 2 years. Replacing it more frequently in a modern engine is not a good idea either, as it works by coating the internal cooling system surfaces to protect against corrosion, and the increased deposition can cause blockages, especially in the more efficient radiators fitted to modern cars.

 

The more modern (usually pink) organo-acid based antifreezes use a completely different corrosion protection strategy and are not subject to the deposition problems of the older traditional types. These must be used in more modern engine designs. I'm not sure what category the VAG G11 green coolant falls into, but if you use the G12+, you shouldn't go too far wrong.

[maglite]

Hi, I've been using the Comma coolant for a few years now and it seems perfectly fine. It is VW approved which is what made me buy it. It is more expensive than the normal stuff, but it seems to be good quality.

 

Product webpage here: http://www.commaoil.com/Product%20Pages/Co...treamredcon.htm

 

Hope that helps.

[DubDriver]

Having driven VW cars for over 25 years now. I have found that the original G11 or G12 is worth the cost.

 

Once in the engine it lasts for life. You only need to change it if you have to replace the stat or other parts of the cooling system. Catch the coolant in a bucket by taking the bottom hose off and top up with a litre or so.