Anti Freeze Comma G40?

[chriscburgess]

This is listed as a replacement for G12 on the Halfords website. Can anyone confirm it is ok to use please on 1.9DG?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_255224" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[noggintom]

Hello!

VW here in Norway sold me some G40 made by BASF and say it is the same stuff. Not sure about the comma, if you have a read on the box for the 'ingredients' and take a look at the wiki (https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Co ... ded_brands" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) you should be able to tell if it is ok.

Maybe someone else can jump in who knows for sure.

Happy hunting!

Tom.

[shirelets]

Being in the process of rebuilding my T25 DG 1.9 engine due to corrosion of the cylinder head studs, the answer basically seems to be - doesn't matter overmuch what antifreeze you use, just change it every 2 or 3 years as the corrosion inhibitors only last that long. I'd used G12 to top up for my 12 years of ownership, but without renewing it - and that has now become a very expesnive job. Use cheaper compatible stuff and change it regularly.

[CovKid]

lol - when I went to GSF a few weeks back they only had those silly litre bottles - worked out too expensive. Went to Euro Car Parts - around £12 a gallon I think. Yes, G12+

[TeamSid]

I use Comma Coldmaster, only because it's what my local motor factor sells. It boasts "2 years full protection" which sounds about right.

[California Dreamin]

Technically the older blue/green antifreezes are not as good as the newer OAT (organo acid technology) based products. The corrosion inhibitors in these 'older spec' products simply break down more quickly as they are not as chemically stable.
However, In my opinion it is not necessary (your option of course but an expensive one) to go with VW's own (G12++) antifreeze as there are many alternatives that meet the same G12++ (VW TL774-G) standard offered by third party manufacturers.
I have linked to a GSF online product that meets VW's latest specification and is as good as without spending an absolute fortune.
It's also difficult trying to get the best deal when a 5litre container isn't enough but the other 3 seperate 1litre containers can cost almost as must as the larger 5.
Some are sold in 1.5 and 2litre containers....you are just gonna have to work out the best deal on around 8 litres.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Premium-5L-Ca ... 5890ab6767" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or maybe 5X of these (7.5l will be fine, not quite but very nearly 50% mix):

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/G12-PLUS-VW-A ... 45fdbacaa5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As a side note....a few people recommend demineralised water to mix...I think this is a little OTT in most circumstances but if your water is particularly bad (lots of limescale) this maybe advisable. I've got a de-humidifier in my conservatory that gives me an endless supply during the winter.


Martin

[Ian Hulley]

I use Comma Coldmaster, only because it's what my local motor factor sells. It boasts "2 years full protection" which sounds about right.

Ditto ^

The coolant's supposed to be swapped every 2 years anyway isn't it ?

Ian

[California Dreamin]

I use Comma Coldmaster, only because it's what my local motor factor sells. It boasts "2 years full protection" which sounds about right.

Ditto ^

The coolant's supposed to be swapped every 2 years anyway isn't it ?

Ian

Again technically YES! but these recommendations are based on the use of older non OAT products which only have a two year life cycle. As those recommendations have never been updated (VW are not about to re-write service information for a 25 year old van) then we have to use our own judgement......The Newer (OAT based) products have a longer 5YEAR service life so why shouldn't that apply when it is used in one of our vans.
However: the reality is that the cooling systems on our vans are old and the likelyhood of something going wrong is high so in most cases the coolant will end up being drained before the 5 year interval.
Of course there is no reason why any drained coolant shouldn't be re-used (just filter it though an old T shirt).
If yours just happens to last that long without the need to repair anything on the cooling side...I would be inclined to perhaps be a little overly causious and change it around 4 years.

Martin

[chriscburgess]

Sound Advice! Thanks Folks. I ended up paying £24 for 5l of Comma G40 as I needed it then and there.

I see the recommendation is a 50% mix. Given that there was already anti-freeze in the system and I topped up with 5l of concentrate I was thinking that would probably do it - what do you think?

[Ian Hulley]

You shouldn't mix different anti-freezes ... bad practice.

Ian

[California Dreamin]

Perhaps we should have mentioned that the earlier (usually darker coloured blues/greens) non OAT products should not be mixed with the later OAT (pink/red/orange/purple) as they can solidify and block waterways...not good.
Always best practice is to drain and thoroughly flush before refilling with one product.
Having said this....as long as what you had in there was one of the later products 'fingers crossed' mixing in the Comma G40 is unlikely to present any issues.

Another other issue is that you do not know how old the original mix was...it may already be off and slightly acidic (this is what happens over time) so although mixing some new stuff with it may improve things you could be waisting your £25.00.

Martin

[chriscburgess]

Perhaps we should have mentioned that the earlier (usually darker coloured blues/greens) non OAT products should not be mixed with the later OAT (pink/red/orange/purple) as they can solidify and block waterways...not good.
Always best practice is to drain and thoroughly flush before refilling with one product.
Having said this....as long as what you had in there was one of the later products 'fingers crossed' mixing in the Comma G40 is unlikely to present any issues.

Another other issue is that you do not know how old the original mix was...it may already be off and slightly acidic (this is what happens over time) so although mixing some new stuff with it may improve things you could be waisting your £25.00.

Martin

oh s**t! The system was refilled at vw garage a couple of years ago when i had some problems.

How serious an issue is the mixing of different types?

[California Dreamin]

Chances are if the system was refilled at a VW garage they would have used at least G12+ which has been around for at least 5 years (the latest G12++ I think has been around for at least 2) both are pretty compatible with other OAT products.

Personally I've not seen the results of mixing the older non OAT stuff with newer OAT based, I am just quoting what I know is accurate information. What colour was in there?

Martin

[chriscburgess]

Chances are if the system was refilled at a VW garage they would have used at least G12+ which has been around for at least 5 years (the latest G12++ I think has been around for at least 2) both are pretty compatible with other OAT products.

Personally I've not seen the results of mixing the older non OAT stuff with newer OAT based, I am just quoting what I know is accurate information. What colour was in there?

Martin

Well I have to be honest Martin, it looked blue/green to me. I wonder if I am safe to stay as I am until the spring and then give it a flush and refill with OAT stuff.
Chris

[California Dreamin]

Difficult to say as it's an unknown senario. All I can say though is that if this does mix adversley then you should see tell tail overheat issues as things block up.
I've personally never experienced this in the motor trade so the percentage guess is that it will be OK but it's your call.

Martin