advice: what coolant to use

[golfvr6]

do i need to use 'VW' branded coolant on my vr6 or does any off the shelf product work and compatible with the original coolant?

[vee_dub]

I think it called G12...the Red one.
Get it from the dealer, it wouldnt be that expensive compare to off the shelf.
And I wouldnt risk my car to save less than 10 bucks hehe.

Fred.

[syncro]

What Vee_Dub said.

I think it may be called G12+ now, and used distilled water from the supermarket.

[DVR68U]

yeah i used g12+ or g12 ++ which ever one make sure u use the same type and dont mix them , so this may mean u have to flush your system, so u have to dc the lower radiator pipe and run the motor while adding fresh water or dist'd water, till the water coming out is clear. so u dont get any of the old coolant staying in the bottom of the motor, unless of course u are useing the same type. then u just top it up.
i used dist'd water and the g12++(or maybe it was only 1 plus) and i saw a reduction in running temp over store noloan and tap water.

hope this makes sense
cheers brenton

[SOHC]

Firstly Sorry that I am asking another question here without helping and knowing the answer for the question ... I have seen heaps and heaps of the Golfs with the G12+, which is kinda pink & red, but when I bought my car back, its having those dark blue coolants mixture in it... does anybody knows what are those?? and whats its mean 'dc the lower radiator pipe'?

Cheers
Carlson

[golf3]

and whats its mean 'dc the lower radiator pipe'?

Carlson, you can ask questions in a thread dude, even if you don't answer the question.. You never know, you might raise a topic no one has thought of..

And dc just means DISCONNECT the lower radiator pipe...

[gtimk5]

Dark blue coolant is normally G11 coolant which VW fitted up till about 1996. There is usually a notice near the coolant tank which states what coolant was fitted, ie. G11 or G12.

[DVR68U]

yeah just remember not to mix the 2, g11 and g12 because the react and make a slimy goo i was told. not what u want in your cooling system
cheers brenton

[kai_h]

VW G12 Plus

Get the G12 Plus - it's a fluro pink kind of colour.
G12 Plus was developed to solve the problem of G11 in older cars and G12 in newer cars turning into brown goo when they're mixed. G12 Plus is compatible with both G11 and G12.

In the VR6 There's a drain plug on the plastic downpipe in front of the radiator - do a search for "crack pipe" as this is what the pipe likes to do =) and you should find some diagrams.

More info on it here:

http://www.gti-vr6.net/wiki/index.php?title=G12_Plus_Coolant_Additive

VW say it's good to be filled-for-life, so it shouldn't need flushing and replacing, unless you're doing work that involves the cooling system.

[gtimk5]

Which brings up the topic, whats "life". I wonder what they mean.
Mk1 Golfs gearboxes were filled for life

[Golf Loon]

Which brings up the topic, whats "life". I wonder what they mean.
Mk1 Golfs gearboxes were filled for life

Thats a good point. Compare a Mk1 gearbox with new oil and one with original oil.

[kai_h]

Filled for Life

With the filled for life, it means that there's no set schedule to replace the coolant. If it's looking murky, or you need to do work on any part of the coolant system, then that's a good reason to change it, but if it's all looking good, with no rust or other crap in it, then there's no real reason to drain it and change it over...

[Bug_racer]

Kai H , done your research (thumbs up )

Life by my books is 4 years .
There is no G12++ only g12+ at this stage

[DVR68U]

lol no g12++ haha damn