chevy88
Member
Is GM dex-cool longlife antifreeze the same as VW G12 as this is what I have beem told by service manager At VW dealership ? I was going to order G12 from them but they just said to use dex cool long life ??????????????
from Glysantin (Supplier of G-12 coolants)Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT)
This is the common green stuff original equipment manufacturers have used for over 70 years. Ethylene glycol is its base chemical, and there are silicate and phosphate additives that make it compatible with copper, brass, cast-iron and aluminum cooling system components. Manufacturers recommended that you change the green IAT antifreeze every 36,000 miles or three years. IAT coolant was used in GM vehicles until 1994. Chrysler used green IAT fluid until 2001, as did Ford (with the exception of some 1999 models that used OAT blue coolant which must be purchased from Ford).
Organic Acid Technology (OAT)
Commonly referred in GM vehicles by the brand name, Dex-Cool or to other manufacturers as propylene glycol. GM introduced Dex-Cool in 1995 as an "extended life" coolant, though most GM car owners and repair shops are finding that Dex-Cool is good for only about three to five years before it needs to be replaced. But because of the additives in the Dex-Cool orange antifreeze, you do not want to substitute the old reliable green coolant. Usually (but not always) dyed orange or yellow so you could tell the difference between OAT and IAT, this coolant has similar corrosion protection to the green stuff; however, it is designed to be slower acting, hence the extended-life moniker. It is made from a propylene glycol base, which makes it less poisonous than conventional IAT for children and pets. OAT, when spilled or lost due to a boil-over, is much less harmful to the environment. In addition to its use in 1996 model year and newer GM cars and trucks, OAT is also used in 1996 to 2001 Audi, Land Rover, Nissan, Mazda, Toyota, Honda, Kia, Jaguar, Saab and Porsche. Manufacturers are now recommending your OAT coolant be changed every five years. OAT coolants are currently readily available from most auto parts stores.
Hybrid Organic Acid Technology
(HOAT)
This coolant is usually dyed yellow but comes in other colors like green, pink, blue, red and orange, which leads to a lot of confusion. One way to know for sure if you are getting HOAT will be by the packaging. Manufacturers often refer to this antifreeze as "global" and will indicate on the bottle that it meets or exceeds the specification "G-05" for most European cars and G-11 or G-12 for Volkswagen and Audi. Hybrid antifreeze has added silicates for aluminum protection and is advertised as having a five-year change interval. Normally, HOAT coolants are specified for vehicles newer than 2002, specifically Mercedes, Volvo, Ford, VW, Audi, Chrysler, BMW and Saab.
The use of OAT and HOAT coolants can extend the life of rubber coolant hoses, because they conduct less electrochemical degradation or ECD than the conventional green antifreeze. ECD is the process by which the motion of coolant and water through your engine creates an electrical charge similar to a galvanic battery. This electrical charge degrades both rubber and metal parts in the cooling system from the inside out. ECD can be attributed as the cause of many premature coolant system failures.
Volkswagen, Audi and other European vehicles use antifreeze that can be blue, pink or red in color. Most of these are available under the brand name Pentosin in 1.5-liter bottles. The pink and red are specifically designed for alloy engines and both meet the required G-12 coolant specification. The blue is also for alloy-based engines, but with a different pH level, and is equivalent to the G-11 rating.
You will find other types of antifreeze available for heavy-duty trucks. Both pink antifreeze (no, not the same stuff as used in the toilet in your camper at the lake house) and red are sold for truck use. These should not be confused with the pink or red HOAT coolants used on imported vehicles because they are designed specifically for trucks. These coolants will usually say "low-silicate" and "final charge" or "fleet charge" on them. They will do you no good in your passenger car because the lubrication and metal protection additives are separate in large truck cooling systems.
So what should you use? Manufacturers will tell you to stick with what is in there. You can have the cooling system cleaned with a coolant filtration system. This is a very popular tool in repair shops today and will recycle your antifreeze. Component chemicals can be re-added to boost its boiling and freezing point and adjust the pH of the cooling system back to specifications. The most accurate tool for measuring OAT and HOAT potency is a refractometer, which is an expensive piece of equipment, so you should have the coolant checked by a service station before deciding whether it should be replaced or refurbished. If you are low on fluid or have a leak, a general rule of thumb is, green IAT is always replaced by green IAT coolant.
Dex-Cool or an OAT product with equivalent specifications is always necessary to replace orange or yellow organic-based antifreeze. For the rainbow of colors of HOAT, your only substitute is the yellow or amber global antifreeze. Global coolant will not change the color of the stuff that is already in there.
If original red, blue or pink antifreeze is desired, you must get these from a Pentosin supplier or your car dealer. Can you run organic coolant in an earlier vehicle? Yes and no. OAT will work if your radiator is aluminum and you flush your entire cooling system with water and completely refill with OAT, but there are some issues with the interaction between organic coolants and lead solder, so using OAT in a copper radiator is not recommended. In short, antifreeze these days is a buyer beware deal. Check your owner's manual for the correct fluid, and read the label on your replacement coolant carefully to ensure it meets with the required specifications.
A new "G12" coolant additive, recognized by its red color, has been introduced during m.y. 1997, replacing the "G11" used previously.
The "G11" and "G12" coolant additives are NOT interchangeable, and must NEVER be mixed. Use only water or "G12" coolant additive G 012 A8D A1 to top up cooling systems filled with "G12."
GLYSANTIN Alu Protect/G30 silikatfrei
Older VWs didn't vent either, their cooling systems were the same as the newer ones. If they overheat, they will vent from the reservoir cap.The only time you should change coolant is if you replace a water pump, other than that there is no reason to since the cooling systems additives are stabilized. VW systems are sealed and do not vent like older systems (go's back to the Rabbit era and the 1.5L IDI).
DB
Not true in all cases.slownsteady said:Coolants do break down over time.
there is a recall about the EGR coolers leaking. the dealer will get paid by VW for doing it. Don't bother with the harness terminals or the glow plugsFahrfuwerfuelen said:Car still under warranty and brought it into the dealer today to again troubleshoot coolant loss. Brought it in to the dealer in Feb. Suggested it might be a EGR cooler leak, as no coolant stains on the floor or belly pan. They claimed to have pressure tested the system and no leak. They added more coolant. The level has dropped about 1/4 inch since. The service writer today tells me I should have the coolant flushed and replaced every year or 12k miles. What BS!
Also concerned as about 1,100 miles ago I threw a CEL and it was for the #2 cylinder glow plug circuit. The dealer agains claimed to troubleshoot the issue and replaced the glow plug. Threw the same code a few days ago- #2 cylinder glow plug circuit. A glow plug which only lasts 1100 miles?
when the EGR cooler leaked in mine, the dealer did two leak tests and found none. the manager is giving you the run around.Fahrfuwerfuelen said:Spoke with the Service Manager after I picked up the car. He agreed that the coolant loss was not due to evaporation as claimed by the service writer. We had a long discussion and I again mentioned the EGR cooler and/or the water pump. He's having me bring it back next week for another look.
He claimed that if the pressure test shows no leak, VWoA won't pay for warranty repairs unless they can show an actual leak. Same deal even if they can see dried coolant on the EGR cooler or water pump. Unless they can create an actual leak, no warranty coverage.
Anyone know if a pressure test is done under load w/ the engine running? I'm starting to think there maybe a pin hole leak in the EGR cooler as I've noticed the coolant smell after vigorous acceleration. High exhaust gas temps expand the pin hole causing the coolant to leak and after the metal cools down, the hole shrinks and no more leak. If the pressure test is done cold, then conceivable the test would show no leak.
It's not up to VWoa. If he is the service manager it is up to him. Do you think VWoA comes and checks every car before work i done?Fahrfuwerfuelen said:Spoke with the Service Manager after I picked up the car. He agreed that the coolant loss was not due to evaporation as claimed by the service writer. We had a long discussion and I again mentioned the EGR cooler and/or the water pump. He's having me bring it back next week for another look.
He claimed that if the pressure test shows no leak, VWoA won't pay for warranty repairs unless they can show an actual leak. Same deal even if they can see dried coolant on the EGR cooler or water pump. Unless they can create an actual leak, no warranty coverage.
Anyone know if a pressure test is done under load w/ the engine running? I'm starting to think there maybe a pin hole leak in the EGR cooler as I've noticed the coolant smell after vigorous acceleration. High exhaust gas temps expand the pin hole causing the coolant to leak and after the metal cools down, the hole shrinks and no more leak. If the pressure test is done cold, then conceivable the test would show no leak.
I'll give them a last chance to make good. Otherwise, I'll be running them around in Court.Dimitri16V said:when the EGR cooler leaked in mine, the dealer did two leak tests and found none. the manager is giving you the run around.