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Yukon Syncro
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 05, 2013 1:52 pm    Post subject: G13 Reply with quote

Looks like VW is now up to G13. Had a bum thermostat stuck open so figured was also due for a coolant change. When I popped into the closest VW dealer (700 miles away) to see what their price for G12 ++ was they said to go with the new stuff.

It was "cheaper" and more environmentally friendly and is backwards compatible. Looks like it is basically the same as the G12 ++ but now is more environmentally friendly since it uses 20% glycerin in its formulation. Still crazy pink coloured.

ECS Tuning in their VW Audi Cooling System Care and Maintenance doc has more info on it at the bottom of the doc.

The Mfg Part # is G013A8J1G for anyone that is interested.
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kuleinc
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 3:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am a BMW guy. I REALLY like the blue BMW coolant. Phosphate free! That being said I bought my van with green coolant in it, and have not had time to change it yet, mostly it just leaks out and I add some water so far. Rolling Eyes

Both our BMW's have the blue coolant, and when the time comes the vanagon will have it too. Regardless of what coolant you run, you need to flush it every two years or corrosion happens.

anyone remember those radiator caps with sacrificial anodes they used to sell so you'd NEVER have to change your coolant again!? Laughing
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sageandspirit
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 1:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

randywebb wrote:
ok, who has used Prestone for how may years with no drama resulting?

and... who has done a teardown inspection to be absolutely sure...


Sounds to me like you have had a bad experience using Prestone (green color coolant/yellow container type I am assuming). True? What do you use? Since the latest reply to my previous post, sounds like I should not be using Dex-Cool... and was considering going to the green Prestone. Put me in the "confused category" on this topic.
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greenbus pilot
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 9:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sageandspirit wrote:
FWIW, for the past ~4 yrs I have been using Prestone, but not the yellow container/green color version. I have been using the Dex-Cool type of Prestone which is bright orange in color ( the container is grey). I thought this was the preferred type of Prestone to use, instead of the green color, for these engines. But then again I am not particularly mechanically inclined. What "G" designation is this version? I always buy full strength coolant and gallons of distilled water and mix them half and half, alternating between them using a quart of each from a rinsed glass container(wide mouth).


Do some research on Dex-Cool, as used by GM. There were class action lawsuits pertaining to Dex-Cool causing gunk buildup,and I just missed claiming my 2002 Venture under the class action- it would have netted me about $50. Not worth my time, although I do believe it is not particularly well suited in ANY engine, so I do not put it in the Venture anymore, but that engine has its own issues- leaking intake manifold gaskets. BTDT.
I only use the Prestone OR the one- color- fits- all WalMart stuff in all my engines. No problems - yet....


AND- to further muddy the waters, I recall reading about the use of distilled water in engines, and the problem with free electrons causing damage, or something... I use tap water, mine is pretty soft but I would not use any harder water in any system. Somebody with a better brain than mine should know more about that.... Wink
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sageandspirit
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 7:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

FWIW, for the past ~4 yrs I have been using Prestone, but not the yellow container/green color version. I have been using the Dex-Cool type of Prestone which is bright orange in color ( the container is grey). I thought this was the preferred type of Prestone to use, instead of the green color, for these engines. But then again I am not particularly mechanically inclined. What "G" designation is this version? I always buy full strength coolant and gallons of distilled water and mix them half and half, alternating between them using a quart of each from a rinsed glass container(wide mouth).
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msinabottle
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 7:00 pm    Post subject: 3X on the Prestone Reply with quote

I went so far as to ask about the Nitrites in a letter to Prestone about the 'Extended Life.' They were quite positive, never had 'em, never will. By way of confirmation, my box of Anti-Freeze Test Strips always warns me of the severe lack of nitrites when I test Winston's coolant.

You can buy distilled water cheap from the Big Box stores, and after that, you're ready to rock. Of interest on a related topic: Gates Rubber and some of the parts suppliers are about to come out with a new 'jetting' system of coolant flushing that is supposed to completely free up systems from the old gunk and accretions therein. We are no longer, apparently, in possession of the most arcane and convoluted cooling system on Planet Earth.

Shocked

Watching... Let you know when shops start to offer it.

Best!
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randywebb
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 6:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

ok, who has used Prestone for how may years with no drama resulting?

and... who has done a teardown inspection to be absolutely sure...
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 6:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

X6 on the Prestone. Good thing I'm color blind or I'd be in a heap o' shit Wink
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 6:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I wish there were not so many choices on this stuff... A clear cut answer of what is bets would be nice Very Happy I do however appreciate the discussion!
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SteelB12
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 04, 2012 5:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was just about to ask about the pre-mixed stuff, but now I see its not a smart purchase. More convenient, though
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 6:17 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Vango Conversions wrote:
I don't get why so many people think that these vans need the super expensive VW coolant. Most cars in recent years have either all aluminum engines or have iron blocks and aluminum heads. At my shop I've been using Prestone extended life antifreeze for everything I work on, for all makes and models. It's silicate free, available everywhere and they claim that it's compatible with all others including dex-cool and traditional green stuff. It has a light green color so it doesn't seem to change the color of whatever you're adding it to much.


^^^ True dat. And I thought BMW guys were overly obsessed with coolant- so I run the same Prestone in my Bimmer. It has not objected. I use the WalMart all- color- stuff now, and mix it myself- why pay $5 per gallon for water- ( premixed coolant at $10/ gallon, half water= $5 per gallon water.).
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 3:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Valvoline Zerex G-05 = Gold
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 2:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Vango Conversions wrote:
I don't get why so many people think that these vans need the super expensive VW coolant. Most cars in recent years have either all aluminum engines or have iron blocks and aluminum heads. At my shop I've been using Prestone extended life antifreeze for everything I work on, for all makes and models. It's silicate free, available everywhere and they claim that it's compatible with all others including dex-cool and traditional green stuff. It has a light green color so it doesn't seem to change the color of whatever you're adding it to much.


X2

Prestone

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Vango Conversions
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 10:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I don't get why so many people think that these vans need the super expensive VW coolant. Most cars in recent years have either all aluminum engines or have iron blocks and aluminum heads. At my shop I've been using Prestone extended life antifreeze for everything I work on, for all makes and models. It's silicate free, available everywhere and they claim that it's compatible with all others including dex-cool and traditional green stuff. It has a light green color so it doesn't seem to change the color of whatever you're adding it to much.
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

kamzcab86 wrote:

Since this is a thread about colors, let's add some info to ^that:


Here is the picture the TSB uses...
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


Personally, over the last 12 years of adding coolant to VW/Audi's almost everyday at work, I can't tell the difference between the 'red' and 'purple', it's all pink to me. Our dealer sold G11 several years ago too, it's only been in the last 9 months or so it has been unavailable. And if you go buy G12, you will get G12++

Basically, your coolant should be all of one color; however I don't recommend anything that isn't OE VW. I have to flush all the green out of mine and will be running G12++ as it is formulated for my car and easy to get (especially since we buy it 5 cases at a time at work!)
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kamzcab86
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

hans j wrote:
Actually G12++ IS backward compatible with G11 but will turn it brown. Apparently they went back to silicates with G12+ and G12++? Only G12 is not compatible with G11. If you go into any dealer right now, you will be getting G12++


Since this is a thread about colors, let's add some info to ^that:

G11 = blue
G12 = pink
G12+ = purple
G12++ = purple

G12 should not be mixed with G11. If you go into any VW/Audi dealer today, verify what you're getting because some will still sell G12 &/or G12+. In fact, several years ago I was still able to get G11 at my local Audi dealer.

Wink
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 9:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Actually G12++ IS backward compatible with G11 but will turn it brown. Apparently they went back to silicates with G12+ and G12++? Only G12 is not compatible with G11. If you go into any dealer right now, you will be getting G12++

If you want to keep it G11, BMW still uses that formulation and color in their cars.

Flushes suck in these cars. We pull both drain plugs in the head, both radiator pipes and heater hoses, get them drained, run compressed air through them and then hook a hose up to them to flush. We pretty much half fill our 30 gallon coolant drain bucket with one flush, minus the stuff that gets all over the shop floor. We use an air-lift to create a vacuum in the coolant system and then air bubbles are kept to a minimum and easier to bleed out.

I tried looking but couldn't find the coolant TSB publicly, it's 1910-03 if you want to search. I downloaded it from Identifix so I can email it to anyone interested too.

Here is the main gist of the TSB
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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PostPosted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 7:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

schoonerman wrote:
I bought mine from VW dealer and it's PINK, no mention on the label if it's compatable with thier BLUE stuff they sold before????
I think I'd better check with them before I mix it.


No. Blue = G11; pink = G12. Flush the system before putting the G12 in.
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 6:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I stick with Pentosin (blue). Now if I can just get the mechanic to stop topping it off with windshield washer fluid!
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 02, 2012 6:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I bought mine from VW dealer and it's PINK, no mention on the label if it's compatable with thier BLUE stuff they sold before????
I think I'd better check with them before I mix it.
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