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Author Topic: what colour should the coolant be?  (Read 10703 times)

Offline Jasikasisback

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what colour should the coolant be?
« on: 03 June 2012, 23:17 »
i have brownish colour fluid in my reservoir...i believe the previous owner must have "mixed" the wrong kinds of antifreeze in it and now I want to drain the system, flush it with some water and then refill it...
can anyone tell me what kind of coolant should go into it or does it really matter?
kind of strange seeing brownish fluid in the reservoir, maybe a more serious problem?
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Offline Wayne

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Re: what colour should the coolant be?
« Reply #1 on: 03 June 2012, 23:32 »
Should be pink in colour, vw coolant is called G12 do not use normal anti freeze.
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Gavv8

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Re: what colour should the coolant be?
« Reply #2 on: 04 June 2012, 00:30 »
Used normal unipart anti-freeze in my 8v, seems fine.
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Offline Jasikasisback

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Re: what colour should the coolant be?
« Reply #3 on: 04 June 2012, 00:43 »
haynes manual says ethylene glycol....so the blue stuff should be alright...i assume the radiator has a valve on the bottom and can be drained???then can flush the rad and and refill the fluid...the car doesn't overheat ever..but i think this brownish fluid is not what i should have in the car....and i will just replace with ethylene glycol and be on my way....i believe the pink stuff is for the newer cars...and these old ones are still alright to use the cheap antifreeze.....
fluid change coming up tomorrow!
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VW BUSH

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Re: what colour should the coolant be?
« Reply #4 on: 04 June 2012, 00:49 »
Should use G12 or equiv, never mix though.
Brown coolant could be mixed solution or lack of it and loads of rust floating around.
Flush it out and change it :wink:
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Offline Wayne

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Re: what colour should the coolant be?
« Reply #5 on: 04 June 2012, 10:19 »
It is not recommend to use blue anti freeze
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Offline mrsaunders

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Re: what colour should the coolant be?
« Reply #6 on: 04 June 2012, 11:17 »
doesnt it depend on age? pre 96 blue g11 post 96 g12 pink  :huh:
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Gavv8

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Re: what colour should the coolant be?
« Reply #7 on: 04 June 2012, 12:10 »
Quote from: Wayne on 04 June 2012, 10:19
It is not recommend to use blue anti freeze
Is there a genuine technical reason for this or just because VW want you to buy their own brand.
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Offline Bandit127

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Re: what colour should the coolant be?
« Reply #8 on: 04 June 2012, 12:29 »
Quote from: Gavv8 on 04 June 2012, 12:10
Quote from: Wayne on 04 June 2012, 10:19
It is not recommend to use blue anti freeze
Is there a genuine technical reason for this or just because VW want you to buy their own brand.
The only reliable answers I found on it are:
1. VW rate the pink stuff for a 5 year drain interval. Normal blue stuff is only 2 years.
2. If you have the pink stuff, don't top up with blue.
3. If you want to change to blue - a full drain and flush is required.
 
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Offline mrsaunders

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Re: what colour should the coolant be?
« Reply #9 on: 04 June 2012, 12:53 »
Quote from: Gavv8 on 04 June 2012, 12:10
Quote from: Wayne on 04 June 2012, 10:19
It is not recommend to use blue anti freeze
Is there a genuine technical reason for this or just because VW want you to buy their own brand.
apparently there is, it will be on the expansion tank/cap i think of what coolant you need to use
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