Coolant and Heating recommended brands

General

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 non-recommended brands as the T25 WBX 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.

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It will take 8 or 9 litres of anti-freeze to fill your system (before diluting) = 6 bottles = £27.00 at GSF

Coolant volume = 16~18 litres

50/50 mix (ideal for max frost protection and ideal for corrosion protection too)

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Specifications

The VAG specification for G12+ antifreeze is TL 774-F

The VAG specification for G12 antifreeze is TL 774-D

The older, blue-green, VW G11 coolant has VAG specification TL 774-C

Forum Discussion

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Mocki uses Comma Super Coldmaster - Concentrated Antifreeze. Comma have confirmed that this does not meet G12 spec but the xtream red does (however it is more expensive than G12+!)

From here:

A while back, I posted that G12 coolant was made by Pentosin.

Just a correction for the record - it appears that G12 is actually made by Valvoline (Zerex), although Pentosin makes a similar, and I believe compatible, coolant.

G12 is Valvoline/Zerex Glysantin G 30, the datasheet for which may be found at [2]

It was developed in conjunction with BASF, and more info on G12 is to be found at [3]

The VAG specification for G12 antifreeze is TL 774-D.

In January, 2003, VW/Audi introduced G12+ (part number G 012 A8F A4), an antifreeze with purple coloration. It can be freely mixed with the original pink G12 (part number ZVW 237 G12). The VAG specification for G12+ is TL 774-F. From the information at the above BASF site, Glysantin G 30 meets both specifications. I believe that the only significant difference between the two is the color - changed to help prevent people from thinking that GM Dexcool compatible (typically orange) coolant could be used to top-up the original G12 (pink), which is not the case.

The older, blue-green, VW G11 coolant has VAG specification TL 774-C, and is Glysantin G 48.

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Flibbertigibbet: VW Green antifreeze part number ZVW 237 105 is no longer supplied.

It is replaced by the BLUE, RED or PINK, or PURPLE antifreeze. Note: You should not mix BLUE, RED or PINK, or PURPLE coolant with GREEN antifreeze. If you have, you must flush your VW cooling system.

The new PURPLE is fine with PINK...

Peet: System is 17.5ltr. Best corrosion protection and antifreezie properties are offered with G12 from Vw.

Unfortunately works out at aprrox 8 litres, (I'm sure that little bit less won't hurt!!) which even at trade prices worked out at £26 for me recently!!

Tip: If it's a recent rebuild test the sytem with plain water first in case it leaks (!)

Syncrosimon: The VW G12 coolant was designed with an in-built corrosion inhibitor which was supposed to coat the internal metal components with a protective covering. This is why VW state that if you replace major internal components then you should replace the coolant. (As the new parts will not be coated by old coolant) In practice it is doubtful that these claims can be backed, and that the G coolants need replacing at a similar rate to any good quality coolant. With that in mind, unless you really like pink, then a standard coolant will be fine, and regular replacemet more usefull than the G12 label. There is a way of testing the coolant with litmus paper to ascertain it's corrosion inhinbition qualities, as it gets more acidic as rust starts to form.

And the front heater core is bled by flow rate achieved above 2000rpm.

Links

How to change VW anti-freeze from green to G11 or 12