Topping up the coolant..

[insanekiwi]

Hi guys,

never had to top up any oil so far (for last 2500km) which is good.

However I noticed that coolant is slightly down from minimum when engine is cold. I had same thing with my previous rides (4G63 engine that I had from brand new).

Anyway, I thought I might top up... went to Repco but couldn't find any G12 specific coolants!

So I bought Prestone any colour / any car top up coolant. Apparently it exceeds ASTM D3306 and ASTM D4985. Said compatible with any antifreeze / coolant in any make or model.

Will this be any good for my car? Or should I just top up with some water (I am only like 2mm off from minimum mark)

Please let me know before I get impatient and start pouring in this thing!

I used this on my previous rides... Mitsubishi galant / MGF VVC / Mitsubishi Airtrek turbo / Suzuki Swift (new one)..

Thanks!

[Wand Weaver]

Don't mix G12+ with other coolant other than VW G11 or G12.

Mixing it with "ordinary" ethylene glycol based antifreeze coolants will result in the mixture reacting with each other and turning a "muddy" brown colour and becoming extremely thick and gluggy.

The result can kill your waterpump if you don't flush the coolant system afterwards.

Unfortunately, I've never seen G12 or G12+ sold at anywhere other than some overseas online shops or a VW dealership. It's $14.50 for 1.5L (I've still got the receipt next to me), and that gets diluted at 40:60 with water (ie 40 G12, 60 water). With the cooler temperatures in Auckland, you might need a 50:50 dilution.

I picked up some demineralised water to dilute it with at the local Bunnings, but tap water should be ok.

[Funkdancer]

Oooh. Interesting stuff, I must check the contents of the Caltex premixed coolant I bought earlier this year when I got the low coolant warning chime.

I didn't think to check for whether it was of a particular type.

Engine temp has never over the midway point (90c?) though, so hopefully not all bad?

[insanekiwi]

Yeah thanks.

Just as I've read, it needed to be G12 plus, and I couldn't find it anywhere. The Prestone mix said it should okay with all colours.... I am guessing it's including the purple. It's got the line of colours which does include purple.

Maybe I should just add clean water for that extra 2mm of volume in the tank.

Hmm... funkdancer urs hasnt turned brown???

[Funkdancer]

Kiwi, I'll check later today.

[Wand Weaver]

Here's an aussieveedubbers thread on G12, and mixing coolants in general:

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60115

Note that G12+ (purple) is the current version, and can be mixed with G12 (red) and G11 (blue).

G12 and G11 cannot be mixed.

[peedman]

Tooley @ hornsby imports sell G12 and G12+ coolant. $15 for 1.5L for G12 and $56 for 5L of G12+!!!!

[Funkdancer]

Kiwi, I'll check later today.

Forgot to check then but I had my aircon rejetted under warranty today at the great new Abbotsford, VIC service centre and got them to check it as well and it was all good.

They actually topped it up, helped steam clean the engine bay after my car got mucking egged yesterday (year 12s showing their maturity at wife's school - she's a teacher...) .... even gave carpets a steam clean, didn't ask for that. Also on my request gave me several wiper fluid premix satchels and some destilled water ... and took away the locker remote beep sound, and had a look at the brakes as I thought they were a bit soft (actually this is how they're designed ... must get a 3rd party upgrade methinks).

All I paid was $13 for the fluids, rest was warranty.

So go to VW Abbotsford for absolutely fantastic service, their number is 9426 7888.

Wouldn't recommend the baseline 5at Polo (loan car) to anyone though, it's completely gutless. No clutch feel, manual windows and what have you. Did get me to work though, was nice and clean & brand new. ;D No offense to any actual owners here but coming from the GTI there's just nothing there even when pressing the pedal to the floor. (An overtake would require LOTS of planning and space!)

[GT3]

So go to VW Abbotsford for absolutely fantastic service, their number is 9426 7888.

where are they? can't see them listed anywhere...

[Funkdancer]

In Flockhart street. They only opened a few weeks ago. Very big space.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=abbotsford+vic&ie=UTF8&ll=-37.810682,145.007477&spn=0.001585,0.002001&z=19&iwloc=addr&om=1

[GT3]

In Flockhart street.

awesome - that's close to me, will check em out tomorrow. thx

[waxgti]

sorry to bring up an old thread, however ive just got that chime on coolant levels on startup.. I just went out and bought some generic tectaloy 60p coolant from bp.. is this ok to top up or do i need a specific vw brand of coolant and flush and use one type of coolant.. alternatively can i top up with some good old h20?

cheers

[Transporter]

I call it the engine destroyer.

Top up with demineralised water and use genuine coolant only.

[Jmac]

Top up?? yeah do so to keep the dash quiete but my call would be to see where its going.
Jmac