Date:         Wed, 14 Apr 2004 20:20:57 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject:      Re: Phosphate free anti-freeze.Quotes from owners manual and
              more--
Comments: To: Dieselslave@WMCONNECT.COM
In-Reply-To:  <11b.309080f8.2daf11da@wmconnect.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I think it's all bogus. Don't trust this at all! To be on the "Safe"
side, I use distilled water - absolutely no potential for sediments or
corrosion agents "IN" the water......but we will not address the
scientific notion  that water itself  is one of the most corrosive
agents on the planet. Price is no object  on distilled water and if it
is, then someone is being pennywise and $100's of dollars foolish,
considering the price of a new engine. It makes a few bucks for 4
gallons of distilled water cheap!!! I add Redline Water Wetter to it,
and Texaco Havoline Phosphate Free and Biodegradeble Antifreeze and call
it good. I rebuilt my engine 4 years and about 50,000 miles back and
have not had a single problem with coolant. I remove it, flush the
cooling system (my mechanic does) and the have it refilled with the new
chemicals. I definitely beleive a good maintenance regimen is essential.
So far so good.!!

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Gary Goldey wrote:

>here are a few quotes from the owners manual.
>
>PG. 63 -COOLING SYSTEM
>The cooling system is sealed and generally requires little attention.
>      (WRONG ANSWER!! I say check it often - at least every weekend)
>
> PG. 64
>Use "any" quality phosphate free anti-freeze containing ethylene glycol.
> THEN it says
>Anti-freeze, other than specified by Volkswagen , may cause corrosion of the
>cooling system, leading to engine overheating and damage.
>
>And more....
>THEN I went to www.prestone.com---to the frequently asked questions and read
>this-
>Q: Does Prestone® Antifreeze/Coolant contain phosphates?
>A: Some European automobile manufacturers request that a phosphate-free
>antifreeze be used in their vehicles. This issue is related to the extremely high
>mineral content of the water in Europe. If you were to mix an antifreeze that
>contained phosphates with the type of water they have in Europe, it may produce
>deposits that can settle in the cooling system and promote corrosion.
>However, in North America we do not have this type of water problem. Typical North
>American coolants have contained phosphates (which is part of the corrosion
>inhibitor package) for many years. Therefore, the question of phosphates is a
>non-issue here in North America. <A HREF="http://www.prestone.com/products/13.htm">Prestone® Antifreeze/Coolant</A> is completely safe
>for use in both foreign and domestic vehicles. For those consumers who would
>feel more comfortable using a phosphate-free antifreeze, our <A HREF="http://www.prestone.com/products/14.htm">Prestone® Extended
>Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant</A> is phosphate, silicate, and borate free.
>
>
>