In the blue - coolant

[fried chicken]

Just looked at a van for sale which has been sat for a year and has blue coolant in it. Owner says it just had water in it when he bought it 14 months ago.

The rest of the van looks good, any advice on how bad the coolant problem could be.

Would it have coroded the engine bolts in this time?

Thanks.

[kevtherev]

I would be more worried if the coolant was brown or even clear.

I would say that is antifreeze and most have inhibitors, could yu ask what brand was put in?

[fried chicken]

Ok, so I have just looked at another van & guess what more blue coolant, should I just walk away, what is the risk, I can't afford a new engine 6 months down the line.

Wiki says
VW G12+ its pink and can mix with previous versions of VW coolant GSF [1] do it for £4.50 for 1.5Litres (concentrate, makes double) Avoid unreccomrended brands as the T25 is prone to corrosion on parts that the coolant comes in contact with (i.e the bolts that hold your engine together.) If these corrode then when it eventually comes to change your cylinder head these are likely to snap and your engine will bassically need to be rebuilt.

Thanks
Sean

[Horney]

To be honest with a van of these ages you will never be able to tell what coolant has ben used during it's life unless the service history actually says "Filled with VW pink coolant" on every service receipt, unlikely I think you'll agree. Never in all the years have been buying cars have I ever seen a service reciept that has listed the exact brand of antifreeze that the vehicle was filled with. You may go and view one and it has pink coolant in it now, but who knows it could have just plain old water put in it for 15 years before someone switched it to pink.

Just buy one on the condition of the engine and keep your fingers crossed, that's what I have done.

Nick

[OLD ONE]

I use a cheep A/F Cant remember the name at the moment It was recommended by a long time (30 odd years) VW specialist. And it is Blue. Just found it "Car Plan Blue Star"

[kevtherev]

mine too

[CovKid]

Mine is Morris Universal Antifreeze and thats blue too. Whether its right or not who knows but theres more of it than water in my van and I'm not losing sleep at night.

[fried chicken]

Thanks for all the replies.
Lots of that makes sense, guess I should just keep my fingers crossed when there blue & hope they don't fall off.

Cheers