Date:         Fri, 17 Oct 2003 20:56:30 -0600
Reply-To:     tom ring <taring@TARING.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         tom ring <taring@TARING.ORG>
Organization: Tippen Ringware
Subject:      Re: My Mechanic's Odd Reaction
In-Reply-To:  <5.1.0.14.0.20031017175215.048c08d0@pop3.rockisland.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

You misunderstand what I'm asking.  What is the european specification number?

In other words, what is the organisation that sets it, and what is the spec
number they assigned it under their numbering system?  These things can then be
looked up.  Like the ones I listed.

"Non phosphate e-glycol" is not a spec.  "GM orange" is not a spec.  The spec
says what coolant has to do, and under what conditions it has to do it, and a
lot more.  And one of those documents is a lot longer than 3 or 4 words.

tom

On 17 Oct 2003 at 18:37, Doktor Tim wrote:

> 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.
>
>


------
Tom Ring K0TAR, ex-WA2PHW  EN34hx
85 Westphalia GL Albert
96 Jetta GL The Intimidator
taring@taring.org

"It is better to go into a turn slow, and come out fast, than to go into a turn fast
and come out dead." Stirling Moss