Where to get G12+ Coolant?
12-26-2006, 11:42 AM
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Where to get G12+ Coolant?
My heater doesn't work, so I am going to flush my whole coolant system and back flush the heater core. I'm going to use Prestone Super Flush.
I want to replace the coolant I have with G12+. Do I have to get this at the dealer? I went to Auto Zone today and they didn't have anything like that.
Also, any tips for flushing and bleeding the system? I know there are two drains, one for the engine and one for the radiator. Would bleeding the system through the pin hole in the heater core hose be enough? From STFA, it seems like there are a few bleeder screws that are a PITA to mess around with that I'd rather not deal with.
I want to replace the coolant I have with G12+. Do I have to get this at the dealer? I went to Auto Zone today and they didn't have anything like that.
Also, any tips for flushing and bleeding the system? I know there are two drains, one for the engine and one for the radiator. Would bleeding the system through the pin hole in the heater core hose be enough? From STFA, it seems like there are a few bleeder screws that are a PITA to mess around with that I'd rather not deal with.
12-26-2006, 11:46 AM
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My coolant level is very slightly low (I haven't added any extra for well over a year). There are no major leaks, but now seems to be a good time to add some leak stopper. What are people's opinions on this? Any brands of this to reccomend?
12-27-2006, 06:31 AM
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Use a G-05 coolant. Way cheaper and easier to find and works just as good.
Prestone or Zerex, just get the old stuff out. It works better than the G12 (your water pump will prefer it).
Don't use stop leak, if you are having problems with the heater core now, stop leak will make it worse.
Don't use stop leak, if you are having problems with the heater core now, stop leak will make it worse.
12-27-2006, 08:15 AM
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G-05 is a Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) coolant
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50038/zerex1_2006.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50038/zerex2_2006.jpg">
ZEREX wants you to use DEX-COOL (OAT coolant=Organic Acid Technology) for model year '96 and later. Be aware that DEX-COOL doesn't tolerate air (from leaks) in the cooling system, which leads to cavitation and the breakdown of DEX-COOL.
You can use G-05, but flush the old coolant well.
VW G12 is almost identical to DEX-COOL. Close enough to be mixed, I'd say.
VW G12 + would be a better choice, but as you have noticed it's hard to find and costly.
<a href="http://www.valvoline.com/zerex/pdf/Zerex_CoolantChart.pdf">PDF file -- compatibility chart</a>
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/50038/zerex2_2006.jpg">
ZEREX wants you to use DEX-COOL (OAT coolant=Organic Acid Technology) for model year '96 and later. Be aware that DEX-COOL doesn't tolerate air (from leaks) in the cooling system, which leads to cavitation and the breakdown of DEX-COOL.
You can use G-05, but flush the old coolant well.
VW G12 is almost identical to DEX-COOL. Close enough to be mixed, I'd say.
VW G12 + would be a better choice, but as you have noticed it's hard to find and costly.
<a href="http://www.valvoline.com/zerex/pdf/Zerex_CoolantChart.pdf">PDF file -- compatibility chart</a>
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12-27-2006, 06:51 PM
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Thanks!
I'm getting my oil changed at the dealer tomorrow (got a coupon for $34.99) so I'll just ask them about the G12+ coolant then. If it seems way too expensive, I'll go with the orange. I'm just worried that because I have such a clogged system already, I'm not going to be able to get all the old stuff out of the corners of the heater core and I don't want to mix coolants and gum up the system again.
Isn't G12+ supposed to mix better with other coolants?
Isn't G12+ supposed to mix better with other coolants?
12-28-2006, 05:49 AM
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G12 + may be mixed with G11 (green) or G12 (pink)
I "assume" G12+ can be safely mixed with any DEX-COOL type coolant, but I'm not 100% sure.
If you can't flush your cooling system properly because it's clogged, you will have to replace the affected components.
If you can't flush your cooling system properly because it's clogged, you will have to replace the affected components.