Flushing coolant so I can change G11->G12+

[sjmtlewy]

My van is currently full of the green stuff (and brown silty stuff that's best not mentioned) and I want to flush and change it for G12+, so that I only need to change it every 4/5 years, as opposed to every 2.

Whats the best way to be absolutely sure all the old stuff is out? Rad flush? Garden hose? Air compressor? It strikes me that it must be damn near impossible to get it all out of every nook and cranny.

Cheers,
Tim

[California Dreamin]

Garden hose pushed up several different hoses and left to run clear (15 mins) and whilst there might be 1% of the old stuff lurking the dilusion would be so weak as to not cause a problem.
Real issues occur when part drained and filled with several litres of incompatible product...so high strength and quantity.

Martin

[CovKid]

I emptied mine, flushed through everywhere with a water hose then refilled with just tap water and a flushing agent, bled it, then took it for a 15 mile motoway run, came back, allowed it to cool, emptied it again, ran the hose through again, making sure any sludge was disturbed enough to be flushed away and then did the final mix and bleed.

Same as Martin really Tis difficult to clear the system fully but the good run helps (as does the flushing agent) and patience.

Mind you, G12 is so cheap at Euro Car Parts, I may do mine again in a few months.

[AdrianC]

My van is currently full of the green stuff (and brown silty stuff that's best not mentioned) and I want to flush and change it for G12+, so that I only need to change it every 4/5 years, as opposed to every 2.

I'd have thought that the better protection was the reason to move over to red coolant, not an excuse to lengthen the change. Given the rep the cooling systems have, two year changes have to be cheap insurance, no matter what the coolant.

[California Dreamin]

My van is currently full of the green stuff (and brown silty stuff that's best not mentioned) and I want to flush and change it for G12+, so that I only need to change it every 4/5 years, as opposed to every 2.

I'd have thought that the better protection was the reason to move over to red coolant, not an excuse to lengthen the change. Given the rep the cooling systems have, two year changes have to be cheap insurance, no matter what the coolant.

That would be sound advice if you knew the last 20 years service history of your vehicle......Unless you know for sure? lack of routine maintenance (2 yearly antifreeze changes for the older stuff) has probably already caused some degree of stud corrosion. The best you can hope for is to stop any further corrosion taking place.

Martin

[sjmtlewy]

The previous owners learnt to their cost about not changing coolant. It had a Vege replacement put in about 12 years ago and they assured me they changed it every two years since then, and I've continued doing so. Can't say for certain what coolant they were using though.. going by the quality of some of their other "maintenance" it could have been anything. When I got it the water in the header tank looked brown, but this turned out to be a silty residue that was gathering for some reason.

[AdrianC]

My van is currently full of the green stuff (and brown silty stuff that's best not mentioned) and I want to flush and change it for G12+, so that I only need to change it every 4/5 years, as opposed to every 2.

I'd have thought that the better protection was the reason to move over to red coolant, not an excuse to lengthen the change. Given the rep the cooling systems have, two year changes have to be cheap insurance, no matter what the coolant.

That would be sound advice if you knew the last 20 years service history of your vehicle......Unless you know for sure? lack of routine maintenance (2 yearly antifreeze changes for the older stuff) has probably already caused some degree of stud corrosion. The best you can hope for is to stop any further corrosion taking place.

Martin

Mebbe I expressed myself badly - I wasn't saying "Don't go G12" - but "don't go 5yr change, even if you go G12". FWIW, I'm a big fan of better quality consumables being cheap preventative maintenance.

[GBHgpJON]

When I got it the water in the header tank looked brown, but this turned out to be a silty residue that was gathering for some reason.

I get the same illusion....it looks brown in the tank, until you remove a sample, then its pink.

Talking of which, is this pink stuff the same stuff you guys are talking about?

[marke]

hi guys i really need to change the coolant in my van and would like to know how i can do this, are there any guides with how to do it with photos etc ?

[CovKid]

Look in the WIKI - its all there

[skysurfin09]

Luckily I checked the Wiki last night as I wanted to fix a small leak above the oil cooler. Thought no problem to top up with stuff that I'd got to hand when I came across the whole violet/ pink thing. A trip to the VAG dealer and 18pounds later I have some G12 plus plus. Thanks Wiki