Coolant Spec (manual vs reservoir)

**jasiano** · 08-12-2022, 11:56 AM

BUMP

just checked on the wife's new Tig manual after noticing the coolant level was creeping towards the 'min' level on the expansion tank. Specifies G12Evo spec coolant which none of the local dealers actually have (so I'm guessing they'd put G13 maybe if they needed?), but noticed Penrite have a G12Evo spec product now:

PURPLE OEM COOLANT PREMIX | Penrite Oil

should be fine right? I always wonder why Penrite's coolant have such a low boiling point (108dec) which is not much higher than water... In my own Ford hot hatch I run Nulon coolant that goes up to 128deg instead....

**FarQ** · 08-12-2022, 08:11 PM

G12evo = VW TL774L
G13 = VW TL774J
G12++ = VW TL774G

G12evo has superseded all other coolants for VW and can be mixed with the other VW coolants.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...08466-0001.pdf

I rang VW spare parts and all they sell now is G12evo G12E050A2. I guess if you use the penrite purple, it wont be that pinkish colour that the VW coolant looks like.

**Flipper Dog** · 08-12-2022, 08:33 PM

Thanks for the linked TSB.
"When mixing G12Evo with G11, G12, G12+, G12++ or G13 the coolant becomes brown, this is normal and does NOT necessitate a coolant system drain and fill." That would explain why my coolant colour turned brown after a dealer service last year.

**FarQ** · 09-12-2022, 07:46 AM

Just picked up a bottle from the stealership (Melbourne city vw). Surprised it was only $17.60

**Lucas_R** · 09-12-2022, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by Flipper Dog

Thanks for the linked TSB.
"When mixing G12Evo with G11, G12, G12+, G12++ or G13 the coolant becomes brown, this is normal and does NOT necessitate a coolant system drain and fill." That would explain why my coolant colour turned brown after a dealer service last year.

Either that or the silica bag that is inside many modern VW/Audi coolant overflow bottles burst which does the same thing. This happened earlier this year on my wife's car and the coolant became a horrible rusty/brown colour and the coolant overflow bottle was stained by it. I had to buy a new coolant overflow bottle, and flush the coolant system many many times over a few weeks to clean all of the contaminated coolant out.

After I was satisfied the system was sufficiently flushed, I refilled (using a vacuum filler) with fresh G13 coolant and it has remained its vibrant pink colour since.

**avf383** · 14-12-2022, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by Lucas_R

Either that or the silica bag that is inside many modern VW/Audi coolant overflow bottles burst which does the same thing. This happened earlier this year on my wife's car and the coolant became a horrible rusty/brown colour and the coolant overflow bottle was stained by it. I had to buy a new coolant overflow bottle, and flush the coolant system many many times over a few weeks to clean all of the contaminated coolant out.

After I was satisfied the system was sufficiently flushed, I refilled (using a vacuum filler) with fresh G13 coolant and it has remained its vibrant pink colour since.

what vacuum filler did you use?