Before each long trip, the fluid level in the expansion tank should be checked.
Special tools are not needed.
Necessary materials:
- VW coolant concentrate «G12 Plus» lilac (Designation G 012 ABF) or otherwise, on the packaging of which there is a note that it complies with the Volkswagen concern VW-TL-774-F, for example, Glysantin-Alu-Protect-Premium / G30.
- pure distilled water.
Attention! With a hot engine, place a thick cloth over the filler cap before removing the radiator filler cap to prevent burns from hot coolant or steam. Remove the cover only when the coolant temperature is below +90°C.
Coolant level when engine is cold (coolant temperature approx. +20°С) must be between the maximum and minimum marks on the expansion tank.
When the engine is warm, the fluid level may rise slightly above the maximum mark (see illustration 9.0).
To avoid engine damage, top up large amounts of cold coolant only when the engine is cold.
Attention! If no VW concentrate is available to replenish the coolant «G12 Plus» or another one that meets the Volkswagen VW-TL-774-F standard, then you should not fill in an inappropriate concentrate. It is necessary to bring the coolant level to normal levels by pouring distilled water. Subsequently, the concentration of the coolant in the system should be brought to the prescribed value as soon as possible.
1 Slightly unscrew the cap of the expansion tank to relieve excess pressure, and then unscrew the cap completely and remove it.
If the fluid level drops sharply within a short time, inspect the system to check for leaks.
Coolant - checking the antifreeze content
To avoid the occurrence of malfunctions, it is recommended to regularly check the concentration of antifreeze in the coolant, and especially before the onset of the winter period of operation of the car. This is especially important if water is poured into the system.
Required tools:
- hydrometer or refractometer A, e.g. VWT10007 or HAZET-481 O-B (see illustration 9.0a). When using a refractometer, you can also measure the density of the electrolyte in the battery and the concentration of washer fluid in the washer reservoir.
Necessary materials:
- VW coolant concentrate «G12 Plus» lilac (Designation G 012 ABF) or otherwise, on the packaging of which there is a note that it complies with the norm of the Volkswagen concern VW-TL-774-F, for example, Glysantin-Alu-Protect-Premium / G3 0.
- pure distilled water.
Examination
1. Take a short trip to raise the coolant temperature. It is enough that the upper radiator hose is only warm.
When checking the concentration of antifreeze in the coolant, its temperature should be approximately +20°C.
Attention! With a hot engine, place a thick cloth over the filler cap before removing the radiator filler cap to prevent burns from hot coolant or steam. Remove the cover only when the coolant temperature is below +90°C.
2. Unscrew and remove the cap from the expansion tank, taking precautions.
Checking the coolant concentration with a hydrometer
3. Take the coolant from the expansion tank with a hydrometer and determine its concentration by the position of the float (see illustration).
Frost protection in our latitudes should be provided down to -25°C, and in latitudes with an extremely cold climate - up to -35°C.
Checking coolant concentration with a refractometer
4. Draw a small amount of coolant into the pipette, apply it to the prism 1 of the refractometer A and close the cover 2 (see illustration 9.0a).
5. Look into the eyepiece and read the antifreeze content in the coolant on a scale of 6 (see illustration).
Increasing the content of antifreeze in the coolant
If frost protection is required at -25°C, the coolant must contain 40% antifreeze. If protection is to be provided at -35°C, then water and concentrate must be mixed in a ratio of 1:1.
Attention! If it is necessary to use a coolant with a higher antifreeze content, the proportion can be increased up to a maximum of 60%. In this case, frost protection is provided at -40°C. If the proportion of antifreeze is higher than the specified figure, then the freezing threshold decreases and, in addition, this leads to a decrease in the cooling effect.
Based on the table below, you can bring the antifreeze content in the coolant to the desired concentration.
The table is only an aid, because the information in it is indicative. The exact filling volumes depend on the type of engine.
Example: When measuring the concentration of the coolant, it turned out that the coolant filled into the FS1 gasoline engine with a volume of 2.0 liters (filling volume 8.1 l) provides frost protection only at an ambient temperature of -10°C. To provide freeze protection at -25°C, drain 2.0 liters of coolant from the system and fill the system with 2.0 liters of clean antifreeze.
6. Close the expansion tank with a cap and after a test drive, check the coolant concentration again.
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