Cooling System, Draining and Filling
Cooling System, Draining and Filling
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
• Adapter (V.A.G 1274/8)
• Drip tray (V.A.G 1306) or drip tray for workshop crane (VAS 6208)
• Hose clip pliers VAS 6362
• Cooling system charge unit (VAS 6096)
• Refractometer (T10007)
Perform the following:
Draining
• Drained coolant must be stored in a clean container for disposal or reuse.
• Follow all disposal regulations.
Risk of scalding due to hot steam and hot coolant.
• The coolant system is under pressure when the engine is warm.
• Wear protective goggles and protective clothing to prevent damage to eyes and scalding.
• Reduce pressure by covering coolant reservoir cap with a cloth and carefully opening.
- Open the cap on the reservoir.
- Remove the noise insulation.
- Place the drip tray under the radiator.
- Open the spring clamp - 1 - and remove the coolant hose - 2 -.
- Remove the coolant hose - arrow - on the engine oil cooler.
Filling
• The water portion of the coolant influences the effectiveness of the coolant.
• Volkswagen has decided to define the water quality used in the cooling system based on the different different mixtures and country and regional requirements.
• Use distilled water.
• For this reason, we recommend using distilled water for older models when adding coolant or filling coolant for the first time.
• On newer models (from MY 10), distilled water is required.
Only use distilled water for mixing with G12 plus plus. Using distilled water provides optimum corrosion protection.
• Only use coolant additive G 12 Plus Plus that conforms to TL VW 774 G.
• Coolant additives with the note "conforming to TL VW 774 G" prevent frost, corrosion damage and scaling. They also increase the boiling point. For this reason the system must be filled all year round with frost and corrosion protection additives.
• Because of its high boiling point, the coolant improves engine reliability under heavy loads, particularly in countries with tropical climates.
• Protection against frost must be assured down to approximately -25 °C (in arctic climatic countries down to approximately -35 °C).
• The coolant concentration must not be reduced by adding water even in warmer seasons and in warmer countries. The coolant additive portion must be at least 40%.
• If a lower freeze protection is necessary due to the climatic conditions, increase the amount of coolant additive. Increase the coolant additive only up to 60% (freeze protection down to approximately -40 °C). Otherwise the freeze protection and cooling effect are reduced.
• The refractometer (T10007) is recommended for determining freeze protection density.
• If radiator, heat exchanger, cylinder head or cylinder head gasket is replaced, do not reuse old coolant.
Recommended mixture ratios:
1) The quantity of coolant can vary depending upon the vehicle equipment.
- Connect the coolant hose - 2 - to the radiator and secure it with a spring clamp - 1 -.
- Install the coolant hose - arrow - on the engine oil cooler and secure it with spring clamp.
Fill using cooling system filler unit (VAS 6096).
- Attach the adapter (V.A.G 1274/8) to the reservoir.
- Fill the coolant circuit using the cooling system filler unit (VAS 6096). Refer to the => cooling system filler unit VAS 6096 operating instructions.
Filling without cooling system filler unit (VAS 6096)
- Slowly add coolant until it reaches the upper marking - arrow - on the reservoir.
- Close expansion tank.
- Turn off the heater and A/C.
- Start engine and maintain an engine speed of approximately 2000 rpm for approximately 3 minutes.
- Let engine run until fan starts up.
Risk of scalding due to hot steam and hot coolant.
• The coolant system is under pressure when the engine is warm.
• Wear protective goggles and protective clothing to prevent damage to eyes and scalding.
• Reduce pressure by covering coolant reservoir cap with a cloth and carefully opening.
- Check the coolant level with the reservoir closed. If more coolant is needed, let the engine cool down and then add.
• At engine operating temperature, the coolant level must be at the upper marking in the shaded area - arrow -.
• When the engine is cold, the coolant level should be in the middle of the shaded area.