Club 80-90 Forums

Hi there,

I noticed that my bus had the wrong coolant (orange) in. I managed to remove both water jacket drain plugs, which I was dead chuffed to do, but now see that one has all the threads damaged from a previous crossthreading...doh.

Could anyone tell me what size tap and die I need to clean up the threads. Also, where could I source a replacement drain bolt if I can’t clean it up.

Cheers
Ashwood

Why do you think engine has wrong coolant? The pink coolant often goes a bit orange in time.
Most owners pull off lower engine hose and a radiator hose to drain system. You have given yourself extra work tampering with the block drain threads.
M8 likely. Any correct size bolt and copper washer is a substitute. Order from Brickwerks for correct stuff...coolant and drain plugs.

if you took out the drain plugs with a 5mm allen key they are M6x12 socket head bolts

if you took them out with a 6mm allen key they are M8 x 12mm socket head bolts.

Cant remember which as its been ages since i needed 100% of the water out.
Rick

https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/t3-parts/e ... eomet.html

M8 x 12mm

I was told that I needed the blue G11 coolant, as the modern coolants damage the VW engine in the long term. Have I been misinformed?

Yes, will do the hoses next time,

Thanks guys.

whoever said it was wrong was erm wrong

https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/t3-parts/e ... alent.html
 

I followed advice from JustKampers website. Would have to change the blue antifreeze every 2 years.

Hmm, is the pink coolant a long life product?

ok mate just just be aware JK are not using what VW say is the correct Antifreeze.

Feel free to follow their advice.

Im out of this thread now.
Rick

Ashwood wrote: ↑16 Nov 2020, 21:40 I followed advice from JustKampers website. Would have to change the blue antifreeze every 2 years.

Hmm, is the pink coolant a long life product?

Okay. Don't panic Captain Mainwaring

Basically the red or pink G13 is a fill and forget coolant. But remember these vans are at least 30 years old now. And VW didnt expect such longevity from this vehicle. So, yes you can use blue coolant. That's the type in need of replacing every two years.

Or you can go pink G13 as linked correctly by Cobra88. It has inhibitors to reduce internal waterway corrosion. Especially as cylinder head studs sit in coolant and are prone to rusting if incorrect coolant is used.

It is a bit confusing. Have a read up in Wiki.

Ok i thought it was the pink only.

thats what the VW manual and the Bentley manual state.

Sorry im not a JK fan.
Rick

Hey, at least it's not an oil question!

But yeah the Wiki has info on coolant types. General consensus I believe is run g13, I do but still intend to refil every couple of years.. although with the engine swap that I will be doing soon..ish....I'll have to drain it anyway.

Just don't mix coolant types.

yep that is a good point 

My g13 was so expensive i drain into half a 20 litre container chopped vertically
i then pass the mixture through a coffee filter when i have finished whatever work i needed to drain it for.
before refilling the system.

coolant is still shocking pink so i think its ok and only about a year old.

too many broken head stud horror stories for me not to use g13 
Rick
 

I think it's as long as it contains Ethlyene Glycol, which is also aluminum friendly, then no matter what colour TBH.

However, l have stuck to G13, and correctly,
DO NOT mix.

Cobra88 wrote: ↑16 Nov 2020, 22:20 My g13 was so expensive i drain into half a 20 litre container chopped vertically
i then pass the mixture through a coffee filter when i have finished whatever work i needed to drain it for.
before refilling the system.

coolant is still shocking pink so i think its ok and only about a year old.

too many broken head stud horror stories for me not to use g13
Rick

I use one of these cheap tools to test strength in old and new coolant. I have tested newly purchased coolant too. It just about meets strength levels out of the container.

https://www.halfords.com/tools/hand-too ... 86778.html