What kind of antifreeze/coolant?

[marcus]

I'm trying to work out what kind of coolant to buy for my 1985 GTL, and am getting very confused - I thought antifreeze was antifreeze was antifreeze but now it seems there is red, blue and universal... and it all seems a bit pricey (based on looking at Halfords - can't get any sensible results out of the GSF site).

What's the difference between these types? What's a sensible price to pay?

[ianaudia4]

G11 (blue). Don't try and mix with G12 (pink) as they are not compatible.
Make sure you give your cooling system a good flush out before filling with new coolant.

Pick some up at the likes of Euro Car Parts or GSF, cheaper than Halfords.

[mark1gls]

I think the Blue Antifreeze lasts for 2 years before you change it, Red Antifreeze lasts for 5 years, don't know about universal.

I use the blue stuff and change it every 2 years in both my Mk1 Scirocco and Mk1 golf Gti with no problems.

Eurocarparts do sell both in 5 litre sizes.
Blue for £15.79
Red for £17.59
http://www.eurocarparts.com/search/antifreeze/p/home

I expect someone else might be able to shed more light on the diffenrences between them.

[wasted]

From what I've read, it's best not to use the pink (red) antifreeze on older cars such as ours; stick with the blue. You can buy Comma antifreeze from Amazon for cheaps.

[Nate]

red antifreeze MUST NOT be used in a rocco. it WILL give you problems. just coz it's more expensive, doesn't make it better. G11 spec blue stuff is what you need, gsf or euro should be able to sort you out. if they don't know what you're talking about, ask to speak to someone else

[marcus]

Got 5L blue from Euro in Hornsey for £15.79.

[hiltow]

You need to get hold of Comma 'Xtreme Green' G48 antifreeze coolant. It is blue antifreeze coolant to the original OE specification for these cars that contains the G11 additive. I stand corrected, but I believe this to be the only product ont he markets that states in contains the G11 additive.

Ignore the 'G48' in the name of the product - this is just a name and doesn't refer to any spec or additive that's in there.

I would not recommend using red/pink 'G12' specification antifreeze. It performs much better (and has a longer life), but is even more potent for finding itself leaks than ordinary antifreeze is - avoid.

[MacColl]

My Mk2 Scirocco came with Pink coolant in it

It is probably G12+ coolant not G12. I believe it was created to stop any bad reaction with cars that have had the blue G11 coolant where the original red G12 coolant would turn in to sludge if mixed in any small amount of G11.

This thread explains...
http://www.clubgti.com/showthread.php?9 ... 11+coolant

If my car had blue coolant I would continue using it. However I will probably use G12+ when I change mine next time. Also good practice to liberally flush the system with clean water between changes. Also coolant must be disposed of safely through advised Council depo or other.

[hiltow]

[quote][/quote]It is probably G12+ coolant not G12. I believe it was created to stop any bad reaction with cars that have had the blue G11 coolant where the original red G12 coolant would turn in to sludge if mixed in any small amount of G11.

The G12 and later G12+ pink/red coolants are not the original coolants for these vehicles - ble coolant is with the G11 additive. Pink/red G12 coolants should not be mixed with any blue G11 coolants - the cooling system will sludge up. They are not compatible with each other.

Changing back from G12 to a blue G11 coolant will not cause any problems or reactions provided you flush the whole system through THOROUGHLY i.e. blast the hose pipe flow through the radiator, up through the engine block via the water pump, down through the engine block via the flange on the cyl head and then through the hose running off this flange to blast out the heater matrix. Fill the car with water only, run the engine for about 30 seconds, leave for half hour to cool, then flush the system again.

As long as you're thorough, there will be no problems in changing to blue G11 (either the VW 'Quantum' stuff or the Comma G48). I would not advise anyone to run with a G12 organic acid technology (OAT) antifreeze in the Mk1/2 Scirocco.

[Nate]

a common assumption is that because G12 is more expensive, it must be better. working by the same logic, you should be running your car on diesel

[haddock_n_chips]

I Use

Forlife coolant

Its red, last for 10 years and is specifically designed for classic and performance cars

The other bonus is it turns yellow when/if your head gasket is going! Good little indicator, also dont throw the coolant away if it changes colour to yellow, oh no, drain it out, keep it, put it back into the cooling system when its fixed and hey presto it goes red again!

Super stuff, get it through my work, 5 litre tub its £15.95 retail

[MJK 24]

Mine has has G12 in since 2002. Radiator started weeping last week so fitted a new one. G12 has now been replaced by G13. Not sure why people think it's more expensive? I paid £7.20 for two 1.5 litre bottles from the local VW TPS. They said its been cheaper than the older blue antifreeze for years now.

[Nate]

if you buy it retail, g12 is way more expensive. i kinda assume most people on here are not in the trade and don't use trade outlets

[MJK 24]

if you buy it retail, g12 is way more expensive. i kinda assume most people on here are not in the trade and don't use trade outlets

There are over 40 'TPS' sites in the UK now according to the flyer they send me each month and Liverpool is definitely open to all and sundry! Synta 10w40 is £8.99 plus VAT when the oil offer is on every six weeks or so. 1.6 and 1.8 petrol oil filters are £1.60!!!

[hiltow]

Repeat: Stay away from G12 / G12+ / G13 organic acid tehnology (OAT) antifreeze coolants on these cars, unless you want leaks in the future......

OAT coolants were not designed for these cars.

Stay with G12 - VW no longer supply this coolant, but Comma produce it instead. It's marketed as 'Comma Extreme Green G48'.