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Coolant looks brown
Posted: 09 Aug 2011, 08:33
by el_kel1
Hi My coolant seems to look a brownish orange (Rust) colour< is there a way of changing all of the coolant, and is this colouration a major problem?
Re: Coolant looks brown
Posted: 09 Aug 2011, 08:35
by jamesc76
Not the best mainly due to not being changed enough times! You can drop all the old coolant and flush it it out there are drain point under the engine to drain every last bit then following the guide in the wiki fill her back up again with correct spec coolant
Re: Coolant looks brown
Posted: 09 Aug 2011, 09:00
by el_kel1
why are there 2 tanks for the coolant?
Re: Coolant looks brown
Posted: 09 Aug 2011, 12:05
by jamesc76
the one behind the access flap is the top up tank the other is the main tank which should be full to the brim!
Re: Coolant looks brown
Posted: 10 Aug 2011, 07:48
by kevtherev
The header tank is where air collects which is then forced into the top up tank
The separate header tank ensures the correct operating pressure... if the cap relief valve is working correctly.
Is what I have found
Re: Coolant looks brown
Posted: 10 Aug 2011, 08:57
by el_kel1
On inspection of both tanks only the top up tank behind the flap looks a funny colour? the mail tank unfer engine lid looks fine?

Re: Coolant looks brown
Posted: 10 Aug 2011, 09:07
by kevtherev
When was the coolant last changed?
should be once every two years.
Doing that stops all sorts of horrors..
Re: Coolant looks brown
Posted: 10 Aug 2011, 10:36
by el_kel1
God only Knows, only just got the van, will change asap
Re: Coolant looks brown
Posted: 10 Aug 2011, 10:38
by ghost123uk
el_kel1 wrote:On inspection of both tanks only the top up tank behind the flap looks a funny colour? the mail tank unfer engine lid looks fine?

Well that is good news
But as has been said, if you are not sure what is in the main system, best change it.
These vans need 50% anti freeze / coolant inhibitor and they take quite a lot of it ! ( 2 gallons of it - many folks use Comma Red as it meets the corrosion resistance specs and is cheaper than the VW stuff)
Here is our wiki entry on how to do it properly

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https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Co ... ing_system" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
E D I T = Comma's website (
http://www.commaoil.com/productsguide/view/6/353" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ) is recommending this Xstream G48 Antifreeze & Coolant Concentrate for our WBX vans.