Thomas the Tig

[MGV]

Looks like mine did!
A 2 litre bottle of demineralized water is only about 5 bucks, just buy one & top up with about 250ml. You won't need any coolant with just a small top-up...

[ralp2dam]

Looks like mine did!
A 2 litre bottle of demineralized water is only about 5 bucks, just buy one & top up with about 250ml. You won't need any coolant with just a small top-up...

Thanks. I'll pop in and buy some. The 250ml won't blow out the ratio?

[Transporter]

Thanks. I'll pop in and buy some. The 250ml won't blow out the ratio?

In short term you'll be fine, just tell your mechanic when you go for the next service to check the coolant concentration, it must be 40% minimum.

[ralp2dam]

Thanks Transporter. I was thinking of buying a small bottle of demineralised water and topping it up to just above minimum and monitoring it. My logic is to avoid diluting the coolant too much.

I'll be nearing 7,500km by mid December. I was thinking of servicing it then. Thanks again Transporter & MGV.

Given I live in Sydney and occasionally go to cold claimant areas and more then occasional warmer areas (+40). What concentration level of coolant would be optimal?

[ralp2dam]

Thanks Transporter. I was thinking of buying a small bottle of demineralised water and topping it up to just above minimum and monitoring it. My logic is to avoid diluting the coolant too much.

I'll be nearing 7,500km by mid December. I was thinking of servicing it then. Thanks again Transporter & MGV.

Given I live in Sydney and occasionally go to cold claimant areas and more then occasional warmer areas (+40). What concentration level of coolant would be optimal?

Anyone, Transporter?

[Transporter]

I always use 50%. Do not exceed 60%, since it will boil sooner when the concentration is 65% and above.
Coolant concentration 40% is good up to -25degC
29% would still be up to -15degC however not enough to protect the engine cooling system from corrosion, so watch out.

[ralp2dam]

Thanks for that Transporter.

[RGE]

I always use 50%.

As a matter of interest how is the percentage measured?
A hydrometer, electronic device or something else.

[Transporter]

I use refractometer and the coolant test strips.



Looking into the refractometer (sorry about the picture quality it was taken with my phone)

[ralp2dam]

I have done 7000km in my Tig now. What are peoples thoughts on tyre rotation. Having gone from a FWD to an AWD I can imagine there would have to be a difference.

I have been offered a free wheel rotation and balance through family and was wondering if it was worth doing.

[RGE]

7,000km is probably a bit early in the expected tyre life to be considering a rotation.

I suggest that you measure the tread depth and see if you can see a difference. For my previous FWD vehicle tyre wear was (from worse to best) front left, front right, rear left then rear right.

At the end of the day you're aiming to even up your tyre wear so that when you get four new ones you're not disposing of one or more with reasonably good tread left whilst keeping you best tyres on the front during the rotation process.

The minimal rotation (for a non-spare rotation as you would do for a tig) if you pick the half way point through the tyre life you could then swap the best with the worse and only swap the other two if one was better than the other.

[ralp2dam]

RGE, thanks for that detailed response. I'll hold out on the rotation.

[ralp2dam]

I took my car to European Autotech to have my engine oil changed and stage 1 APR tuned applied. Too their credit they identified water dripping onto the ECU casing. They showed me the water and I too was concerned. On the day I took it in, it was raining constantly on my one hour drive there.


(not my engine bay)

For those who don't know as I didn't, the ECU is located behind the silver coloured mesh at the back beneath the windscreen.

At European Autotech's suggestion I took it to a VW dealer to have it inspected under warranty. I was informed that they tested it and couldn't find a leak. The service manager informed me that a small amount of water is designed to overflow into this area and has holes to allow drainage.

My question, is water meant to be in this area. It seems unusual to me, especially given the ECU is located in this area.

Finally, I can't recommended European Autotech enough. Very professional staff and shop. If you live in Sydney and don't want to use a dealer and can make it to Mona Vale give them a try.

[ralp2dam]

^^^ anyone know??? ^^^

[Transporter]

No harm done, the ECU is sealed and no water can enter the inside of it.