Date:         Fri, 17 Oct 2003 18:37:48 -0700
Reply-To:     Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Subject:      Re: My Mechanic's Odd Reaction
Comments: To: tom ring <taring@TARING.ORG>
In-Reply-To:  <3F9040FC.22295.68C53B9@localhost>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 06:20 PM 10/17/2003, you wrote:

>Possibly so.
>
>What is the euro spec?

For the last time: non-phosphate e-glycol is spec. That's it, that's all of
it, it's just very easy to say.
To do it, read the back of the label, find the hidden ingredients in the
boilerplate, and confirm no phosphates and E Glycol base. One way to reduce
the number of bottles to read at the local FLAPS anti-freeze line up is,
the good stuff always costs twice as much as the cheap stuff. Ignore the
Sierra because it is not spec.

Most of what's left is the high spec johnny come lately GM Orange. Common
claim on the label is "EXTENDED LIFE". Bull roar. All of it claims
5yr/150,000 mile change interval but if you do that to a WasserBoxer you
create leaks prematurely for sure and certain. It's good stuff that needs
maintenance by inspection to prevent corrosion from ever getting started.
Get some ph strips at any pharmacy. Monitor after the first year. When you
see acid, you will have proof you waited too long. Change it, make note of
it, and reduce your interval.

The new GM spec (orange) finally made it to the Euro specs since the post
war recovery (WWII). Only 50 years behind. Before that, it was Basf Germany
the only source for all the Euro marks, any tint you specify.

Know that currently VW has 3 different spec coolants, the old time blue, a
nice pink mix, and one near red. If you have a late model VW, or anything
else for that matter, verify the specs in the owner's manual. Leave the
mixing and testing to the engineers and don't be mixing up an experiment
that might lead to issues. There are also a great many more unique spec
fluids for trannies and diffs. You simply must verify what is specified,
and don't listen to the FLAPS salesman who is overstocked on wizbang.