Date: Thu, 18 Nov 1999 09:19:56 -0500
Reply-To: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject: Walmart coolant or VW coolant
While I am being a little hypocritical here, I have to agree with Ken, with
a caveat. His philosophy of using cheap coolant is sound if you plug in one
criterion. "Change your fluids regularly".
As an example, I used to use 're-processed" motor oil, stuff that had been
re-distilled, and had new additives added. You could buy it for $6 a case
when other oils were $11. Never had a problem in any car I used it in. BUT,
I changed my oil every 60 days, 3,000 like clockwork. Now, (hypocritical) I
use Castrol, but still change at 3k.
I think those that buy the dealer stuff, then leave it in there for two or
three years are asking for trouble. I think you would be better off using
the cheap stuff, and swapping it out every 12 months, or so.
USELESS TRIVIA: I don't know if it is still the case, but a few years ago
all the green stuff sold in NA was made in only two factories...remember
when the price of coolant went sky-high? There had been a fire in one of
the factories.
Cheers,
G. Matthew Bulley
Director
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree
-----Original Message-----
From: KENWILFY@AOL.COM [SMTP:KENWILFY@AOL.COM]
Sent: Thursday, November 18, 1999 8:54 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: DM: Re: VW coolant
I like to use Wal-Mart Tech 2000 coolant (horrified gasps) in my engines
and
the customers who don't absolutely insist on Autobahn stuff (I also have
never seen a connection between using dealer only coolant and longer head
gasket life).
There are three reasons I like to use the Wal-Mart stuff:
1. Phosphate Free
2. Cheap
3. Readily available in any city around the country (so if you have a
coolant
leak you don't have to worry about mingling your dealer coolant with some
other coolant).
I know accept the fact that I will be executed as a traitor to the DM. My
philosophy is that most of the time the DM is definately worth doing, but
there are also times it ain't. Experience shows when to hold 'em and when
to
fold 'em.
My only regret is that I have but one life to give for my coolant :)
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
http://www.vanagain.com
John 3:16
Office (856)-765-1583
Shop (856)-327-0027
Fax (856)-327-2242