Cooling System: Service and Repair
Coolant, Draining and Filling
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
• Refractometer (T10007)
• Drip Tray for VAS 6100 (VAS 6208)
• Hose Clip Pliers (VAS 6362)
• Cooling System Charge Unit (VAS 6096)
• Adapter (V.A.G 1274/8)
Draining
• Drained coolant must be stored in a clean container for disposal or reuse.
• Follow all disposal regulations.
The coolant system is under pressure when the engine is warm.
Risk of scalding due to hot steam and hot coolant.
Reduce pressure by covering the coolant expansion tank cap with a cloth and carefully opening.
- Open the coolant expansion tank cap carefully.
- Remove the noise insulation.
- Unlock the quick release - arrow - and remove the lower coolant hose from the radiator.
- Also, remove the lower coolant hose - arrow - from after-run coolant pump and allow the remaining coolant to drain.
• Observe disposal regulations for coolant!
Filling
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 conforming to TL-VW 774 G.
• Coolant additives with the note "conforming to TL VW 774 G" prevent frost and corrosion damage, scaling and also raise boiling point of coolant. The cooling system must be filled with coolant additive year-round.
• Because of its high boiling point, the coolant improves engine reliability under heavy loads, particularly in countries with tropical climates.
• Freeze protection must be guaranteed down to approximately -25 °C (-13 °F) (in arctic climatic countries down to approximately -35 °C (-31 °F)).
• 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. Only up to 60% (freeze protection down to approximately -40 °C (-40 °F)). Otherwise the freeze protection is lessened and the cooling effect will be diminished.
• The refractometer (T10007 A) is recommended for determining freeze protection density.
• Do not use the old coolant again if replacing the radiator, heater core, cylinder head or cylinder head gasket.
Recommended Mixture Ratios:
• 1 The quantity of coolant can vary depending upon the vehicle equipment.
Procedure
- Connect the coolant hose - arrow - to the after-run coolant pump.
- Slide the lower coolant hose onto the radiator and secure it.
- Install the adapter (V.A.G 1274/8) onto the expansion tank.
- Fill the coolant circuit using the cooling system charge unit (VAS 6096). Refer to the cooling system charge unit VAS 6096 operating instructions.
The coolant system is under pressure when the engine is warm.
Risk of scalding due to hot steam and hot coolant.
Reduce pressure by covering the coolant expansion tank cap with a cloth and carefully opening.
- Check the coolant level and fill if necessary. With the engine at operating temperature, the coolant level must be at the top mark, with the engine cold, it must be in the center of the hatched area.
- Install the noise insulation.