AbnormallyAspirated

Hi:

Our 2019 Q7 3.0T has a slow coolant leak. we have an appointment at the dealer, but in the meantime I need to top off the overflow tank. the coolant in there looks pink to me, but all the searches I do on autozone, advance auto, etc. say to use purple, and the coolant manufacturer's sites agree - Purple.

If the car has pink in it now, is it ok to mix in a little purple? Car is under warranty so I don't want to give the dealer any excuses. this is what I bought, but I'm scared to put it in:Thanks!

richsurf

You should be fine with that if it’s G13 compatible Once you mix it into your system the color will dilute. You will most likely need a pump anyway.
as always if you do need a pump and the associated parts report it to NHTSA.
BTW Advance also carries Pentosin brand which is what I got there

AbnormallyAspirated

there is no G13 designation on the antifreeze. Here is what they have on their website:

PEAK ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY ANTIFREEZE + COOLANT for EUROPEAN VEHICLES - VIOLET is an ethylene glycol-based antifreeze/coolant specifically developed for use in any European vehicle requiring a Violet silicate-enhanced organic acid technology (Si-OAT) formula. It contains high-quality organic acid corrosion inhibitors and is free of borate, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate and amines chemicals. PEAK ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TECHNOLOGY ANTIFREEZE + COOLANT for EUROPEAN VEHICLES - VIOLET meets the performance requirements of ASTM D3306 and BS 6580. With a complete flush and fill, PEAK guarantees this coolant will provide service life protection of up to 150,000 miles or 5 years

BTW, what did you mean about notifying NHTSA?

Steelcoil

I use Pentofrost E coolant, which is G13 type and made in Germany. Peak should work, but that is a cheap brand that I would not use.

Mix with 50% distilled water: PENTOSIN Coolant 8113206 E-G13; 5 Liters; Violet (Type: Concentrated) $31.79
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...668840&jsn=272

Steelcoil

G12+/12++ and G13 colors are very similar. In 50% mix without putting them next to each other I doubt most people can tell the difference.

Pictures of G12+ and G12++ on the right, in post 4. The G13 only uses glycerin instead of glycol of the G12++. And now I believe there is the G12-Evo. LOL.
https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.php...estion.461197/

richsurf

Report the issue if it’s diagnosed as a bad pump
https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#vehicle

RickObe

That's really for safety related issues. I would not use that to report mechanical failures that did not impact safety.

meyergsr

I would stick with Pink Coolant. Just google "pink coolant" many options for purchase online and instore.

richsurf

being stranded due to a common failure doesn’t affect safety?
of course if it’s a trim panel that doesn’t fit right or a random squeak, that’s not safety
but a failure of a vital engine component is certainly reportable.