Hi guys! I have a question related to coolant type used on Octavia 3 1.8tsi: on the expansion tank is written that the cooolant is G13. Because it seems to me that's a little below the level I wanted to buy some coolant but I can not find anywhere G13, only G12. Do you know if it's ok to put the G12 over the existing G13 in the vessel ??

Thanks

Distilled water, or take it to the dealer.

If it's a tiny top up water is OK (tap, no need for distilled) but doing so is watering down and reducing the effectiveness of the antifreeze... It gets cold in Romania of winter.

 

Dealer should have g13, or any vw, seat, Audi, Porsche dealer.  I think it's got slightly more anti corrosion stuff for engines with mixed metals (ferrous bits, alu bits, brass bits) than g12 but I'm not quite sure.

I went to Halfords in the UK and the girl at the desk just put my reg number into a search thing and was told it's now called G40. I have a 2015 Octavia 2.0 TDi 150PS. This is the first car i have ever had to keep topping up coolant.

If you are having to keep topping up you have a problem .........

 

There have been issues with water pump housings leaking. If you have had to top up more than once since new get it to the dealer.

Just Google "G13 Coolant" or "G13 Coolant VW" and it will pop up and you can find it easily on fleabay.

If you are having to keep topping up you have a problem .........

 

There have been issues with water pump housings leaking. If you have had to top up more than once since new get it to the dealer.

^ This. If it's under warranty, at the very least the dealer will likely just fill it up and tell you to see how it goes, if it drops again then go back for it to be investigated.

 

If you still want some, then the dealer should be able to sell you a bottle of the correct coolant, and tell you if/how much you should dilute it before topping up.

 

I wouldn't put plain water in, simply to avoid Skoda turning round later and saying they aren't covering [such-a-job] under warranty because you've altered the coolant:water ratio too much.

^ shouldn't warty too much about filling up with tap water - this is exactly what the Skoda Master Tech did on my car when only a few months old! I was particularly annoyed as we live in a very hard water area. As with others if it has only dropped a little, distilled water will be fine.

I went to Halfords in the UK and the girl at the desk just put my reg number into a search thing and was told it's now called G40. I have a 2015 Octavia 2.0 TDi 150PS. This is the first car i have ever had to keep topping up coolant.

Not true. Still called G13.

 

G40 is the name of a Comma product that Halfords try to push. May be compatible with required G13 specification but its not genuine VAG G13 they are selling. 

G13 isn't that expensive from your local TPS, or even the main dealer.

Euro Car Parts do their version of G13 both concentrated and ready mixed. A bottle of the ready mixed is handy to keep in the car.

But, as others have said you shouldn't be losing any coolant in the first place.

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Any car under 3yr old is under warranty, and I assume serviced by your dealer/supplier. So just call into them, I did and the service manager topped it up. Said if it drops again to get it booked in. He made a note on the service system. Same with oil. I get a call for free check at 6 months following a service.

^ shouldn't warty too much about filling up with tap water - this is exactly what the Skoda Master Tech did on my car when only a few months old! I was particularly annoyed as we live in a very hard water area. As with others if it has only dropped a little, distilled water will be fine.

Bet you were annoyed!

 

I know it's unlikely to throw the concentration out, or do any harm at all, you're right....but if it's under warranty why chance it? If the dealers puts water in and then something unfortunate happens, they have to rectify it at their cost.

Ive topped my cars off with tap water for years and never had a problem. The coolant concentration on these things out of the factory is near enough neat anyway and small amounts of non distilled water in the system arent going to cause harm.....the coolant itself probably serves to condition the water to some degree anyway.

I have a bottle of G13 in the boot of my car...mine was a bit low on delivery so topped it off neat.....next time it needs a top up will probably just use a drop of tap water....the next time a drop of G13 and will alternate as such.

The levels on the EA288 when new tend to muck about a bit when new as they seem to experience air locks in the systen occasionally but once well run in the levels tend to remain bob on for the most part..with just the occasional top off required like any car.

If you are loosing coolant then it is probably a sign of water pump failure