Date: Sun, 3 Dec 2006 14:04:25 -0600
Reply-To: joel walker <jwalker17@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: joel walker <jwalker17@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: Which is the best coolant to use? Part I
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i guess it's a good time to put all the coolant stuff back out on the
list, and into the archives. here's the first of four parts that i've
gathered up over the years ...
good luck!
unca joel
i called the
800-number for the antifreeze. although this is mostly for the water-
cooled vanagons (who seem to have a head gasket problem), most any of
the water-cooled vws might care to read this.
........................................................................
COOLANT/ANTI-FREEZE: (1983.5 - 1991 models only)
Recommended coolant/anti-freeze:
Autobahn ZVW-237-104
antifreeze & summer coolant
Phosphate free formula for use in
Volkswagen & Audi water cooled vehicles
Ethylene Glycol based, Phosphate free
recommended mixture:
not less than 40 percent coolant, not more than 60 percent.
sold at VW dealers only.
manufactured by BASF Questions? Call 1-800-669-2273
BASF Customer Service: 1-800-445-4134
BASF Marketing Service: 1-800-367-9865
BASF Technical Service: 1-800-521-9100
Info from Marketing Service:
BASF makes a 'generic' brand of GUARANTEED Phosphate Free
coolant called ZEREX EXTREME 450. It has been approved by
VW, BMW, MB, Audi, Saab, and Volvo. It is also GUARANTEED for
four (4) years and 50,000 miles. They said you CANNOT mix
this
with any other coolant; you must flush the system and fill
with
the new coolant/water mix.
Info from Tech Svc:
BASF makes two (2) european formula coolants. One is sold by
VW, Audi, and Mercedes Dealers. The other is sold by BMW,
Saab,
and Volvo dealers. The reason for the phosphate free formula
is basically two-fold:
(1) Cosmetics: Hard water reacts with phosphates in coolant to
form scale deposits in overflow bottles. These deposits
could form in other parts of the cooling system, causing
blockage and overheating (see next part).
(2) Corrosion: Phosphates tend to aggravate any corrosion that
might already be present with any aluminum parts in the
cooling system. Aluminum Phosphate is formed, which is
insoluble in the ethylene glycol solution of the coolant.
The aluminum phosphate will tend to settle out in the
cooler
areas of the cooling system, causing blockage. This can
cause overheating of the engine, which will accelerate the
aluminum corrosion. In other words, the corrosion will
tend
to feed on itself until damage is done to the engine or
the
coolant is replaced (refreshing the inhibitors).
Engine coolant should be REPLACED every two (2) years to
refresh
the silicates and other corrosion inhibitors contained in the
coolant.
He was not aware of any problems with coolants containing
phosphates, but did say that if the coolant was NOT replaced
regularly, the inhibitors would lose their effectiveness and
become weak. And that weakness could allow some aluminum
corrosion to start, and become aggravated over time.
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