Replacing coolant hose

[MacAoidh]

Me again!

First real drive in the van for a year, the main coolant hose fell to pieces. I've ordered one from VW dealer, for a huge sum of money (couldn't find any other source in time)

Any tips for fitting it please? I've printed out the Wiki page on bleeding the system and there's a Haynes in the van, but I'm going to have to fit it on a friend's drive 40 miles away from home...

F'rinstance, I've got a 2 litre bottle of antifreeze here, Halfords VW approved TL774D. Am I going to need more? Should I in fact go for a different brand?

[kathyshack]

hiya, have you checked out mr brickyards website too? whole section on coolant. From what iknow you need to make sure you have THE right kind!
http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/VehicleSpec ... freeze.htm

[stuckin88]

Which main coolant hose? have you drained all the coolant out?---the system holds about 17 litres so yool need at least 8 litres of antifreeze--the pink 5 yr stuff is the best--

[wobbly]

Just done mine on saturday,front of the vehicle needs to be raised at least a foot or more off the ground to refill. I used six bottles of vw g12+ and it took all of it plus a good deal of water. I found the advice on the wiki and brickyard invaluable,together with the haynes. Knowledge is power my friend..... Wobbly

[MacAoidh]

Cheers all.
The hose that's gone is the one connecting cylinder head, oil cooler, rad, main tank. I think that most of the coolant was lost when it blew, and that which remains was heavily diluted during the journey (long story), so I'm inclined to just change the lot. I don't know for sure what was put in last time, and it was 2+ years ago.
Thanks miles for the Byard tip, it's top. Re raising, it sounds like that only applies to wasserboxer engines?