Hi,

 

today I have read and to be honest never thought about it but the antifreeze liquid can expire. I have own my can for 5 years and never changed it. Can you help my how to decide which one is good for and how much liter of liquid is necessary. Is there a plug in the motor liquid cooler to change it?

 

thanks in advance and happy weekend

Tamas

Usually you don't need to think about changing coolant because at timing belt time you get the opportunity to change it when you do the water pump.

 

If the strength is correct and it looks good I wouldn't bother changing it at 5 years but if you had to I would use the genuine stuff from the dealers. Not sure how much.

Not sure on the amount or type of antifreeze you need but I would probably change it because the corrosion inhibitors disappear over time even if the antifreeze properties do not.

Exactly. I have read the same

Any suggestion how to change the liquid? Where should I open the tubes?

Most models have a tap at the bottom of the radiator elbow, like a quarter turn thing. You might have to remove an under tray to get  a good look. Pretty sure VW do a ready mixed G13 coolant, but simply dropping the coolant won't empty what's in the engine. I recommend refilling with plain water then drop it a second time before filling with G13

Thanks

Has the car never had a timing belt and water pump in the 5 years you have owned the car?

 

What engine is your car, obviously if it's chain driven then the pump wouldn't have been changed unless it had a problem. By the way, genuine VW G12, G12+ and G13 are meant to be life long and not require replacement (but I don't agree with that)

1.6 Petrol MPI. In the cars book I have found that G12+ is recommended. WHat I could not find is how many liters liquid is necessary.

 

I could not find a tap in this :

https://workshop-manuals.com/skoda/octavia-mk2/drive_unit/1.6/85_kw_fsi_engine/engine_cooling/cooling_system/parts_of_cooling_system_on_the_side_next_to_the_body_summary_of_components/

 

 

Ok, it appears there is no tap on these, but it suggests removing a spring clamp (hose) using pliers

On 23/09/2018 at 19:47, Black vRS Oct said:

Most models have a tap at the bottom of the radiator elbow, like a quarter turn thing. You might have to remove an under tray to get  a good look. Pretty sure VW do a ready mixed G13 coolant, but simply dropping the coolant won't empty what's in the engine. I recommend refilling with plain water then drop it a second time before filling with G13

 

My dealer recommended NOT to use the tap, even altough its made for it.

His reason was simply, but smart, and I completely agree: Older plastics are more likely to break, and any tap or similar which hasn't been used for a long time might need more force to open -> More likely to break.

And once its broken, a radiator replacement is much more expensive.

 

His suggestion: Release the spring clamp on one of the lowest hoses. In worst case a replacement sping clamp or hose is much cheaper and an easier fix.