A am going to flush my cooling system to see if the gunk comes back that i fear may be a headgasket. I have a skoda fabia 1.4mpi 2001. I have some blue anti-freeze and it is relatively cheap to buy, thing i want to know is can i use blue cheap stuff in the fabia or does it have to be the red stuff. Bear in mind it may have to all be changed again in a week if the gunk comes back and it does turn out to be the headgasket.

No - has to be G12+ or G12++ which is purple.

It's dirt cheap from dealers or motor factors etc. No reason not to use the right stuff.

Where do i buy that? Never seen purple

So is this one no good? http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/c/Skoda_Fabia_1.4_2000/p/car-parts/car-service-parts/regular-service/anti-freeze/?523770481&1&963616afcb1da2b43ad4934c5a1d1fa82488dac2&000397

Also how many litres would i need?

I just get it from my dealer as they're just as cheap as places like Halfords, and it's the genuine stuff.

Looks like this

So even though it is going to be a short term thing i need the expensive coolant?

So is this one no good? http://www.carparts4...2488dac2

Also how many litres would i need?

No, that isn't G12+ or ++.

Try this and you will need 2 bottles for a mk1 fabia - 6.3 litre capacity off the top of my head so 3 litres will be slightly under 50% concentration:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/G12-PLUS-VW-AUDI-MERCEDES-MINI-FORD-PURPLE-ANTIFREEZE-COOLANT-1-5L-LITRE-BOTTLE-/300609620645?pt=UK_Vehicle_Oils_Lubricants_Fluids&hash=item45fdbacaa5

You must use VAG G12+ coolant or coolant to spec TL774F.

So even though it is going to be a short term thing i need the expensive coolant?

VAG coolant has some special anti-corrosive properties apparently...... 11 quid for an antifreeze change ain't bad.

Okay looks like i will have to pay for the good stuff, its just i wanted a short term thing while i sorted out the issue

Okay looks like i will have to pay for the good stuff, its just i wanted a short term thing while i sorted out the issue

Don't think you are going to have any issues if you use it short term but VAG recommend this spec.

Edited 12 April, 201214 yr by djdazzy

The brown sludge in pics on your other thread could be from a previous owner mixing blue and g12+ anyway.

Oh okay, well it will be worth it in the long run. Thank you to everyone for the ultra quick answers

The brown sludge in pics on your other thread could be from a previous owner mixing blue and g12+ anyway.

Time to flush out the corrosion and refill with the proper stuff then.

Don't think you are going to have any issues if you use it short term but VAG recommend this spec.

Mixing glycol based blue and VAG pink/purple can form a brownish gel, so don't use glycol based blue at all.

Mixing glycol based blue and VAG pink/purple can form a brownish gel, so don't use glycol based blue at all.

He is not mixing the coolant but flushing and replacing it so I cannot see any issues in replacing this and running the car for a couple of weeks. Personally I would put the correct coolant in it as it could fix the issue.

Edited 12 April, 201214 yr by djdazzy

He is not mixing the coolant but flushing and replacing it so I cannot see any issues in replacing this and running the car for a couple of weeks. Personally I would put the correct coolant in it as it could fix the issue.

It's very difficult to get all the blue glycol or brown sludge out. You need to get it all out, before putting the correct coolant back in.

The best way to flush it is with water and minumum coolant (10% VAG is fine and is enough to prevent scale forming). Drain the coolant, fill it with 10% coolant and run the engine to 90deg. Let the engine cool a little and drain. Wait until the engine is almost cold and repeat several times.

Once it is all flushed out fill with 50%

Interestingly my 07 mk1 vRS had red/orange coolant in it from new and I have only just replaced it with purple coolant when the cambelt was changed last year.

Interestingly my 07 mk1 vRS had red/orange coolant in it from new and I have only just replaced it with purple coolant when the cambelt was changed last year.

The Halfords Advanced is that colour and is compatible with G12 (TL774D)

I ordered 2x of the bottles you suggested djdazzy, thanks for your help

Thanks go to everyone else for helping out

I have found this pic a few years ago on a passat forum and it makes it clear about the colours.

Legend:

G11 green-blue

G12 red

G12+ and G12++ purple

Taken from here http://forum.vw-pass...ead.php?t=48192 (post #8)

The Purple stuff is newer (G12++ being the newest) and better than the red/pink G12 coolant.

You MUST NOT use the green/blue G11 stuff, as if you mix it they react and gunk up the system.

What does the gunk look like if you mix coolants?

Sorry to "Hijack" but can someone please describe the procedure for flushing the coolant on the fabia? A bit of a how to guide with pics would be great!! Many thanks...

Sorry to "Hijack" but can someone please describe the procedure for flushing the coolant on the fabia? A bit of a how to guide with pics would be great!! Many thanks...

Can't remember it off the top of my head, but it is in the Haynes manual.

Sorry to "Hijack" but can someone please describe the procedure for flushing the coolant on the fabia? A bit of a how to guide with pics would be great!! Many thanks...

Remember google is your friend :

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/144632-how-to-flush-engine-coolant/