My coolant level warning light came on today so I stopped by Halfords to pick some up. (The level has dropped a good 2-3 inches below the min mark :thumbdwn:) The coolant they have is specification 774-D (after searching this seems to be "G12") but the manual says I should use 774-F ("G12+" :confused:).

What I really want to know is:

1. Can I mix the two (i.e. I assume I already have 774-F in the car, can I add 774-D without any problems)?

2. The car's going in for it's 20k service on Thursday (when I'll be mentioning the drop in coolant level for sure), is it safer just to drive with a low coolant level tomorrow rather than risking mixing the two?

I'm not sure how low the level has to drop before putting the engine in danger.....

Ta in advance

Top up with water for now.

Go to a VW or Skoda Garage and get the correct fluid.

Too little is as bad as too much.

Check for leaks... Radiator sensor seal is prone to failure.

Bottom hose can sometimes come loose.

Check HERE for complete list of common failures.

Top up with water for now.

Go to a VW or Skoda Garage and get the correct fluid.

Too little is as bad as too much.

Check for leaks... Radiator sensor seal is prone to failure.

Bottom hose can sometimes come loose.

Check HERE for complete list of common failures.

Thanks for that, like I say it's going in for its service on Thurs so I'll get them to check and fix it under warranty if necessary.

Definitely water?

Worked for me when my radiator was leaking.

The garage told me it was ok to do.

WRT using just water, that is a lot better than nothing although G12 should mix okay with G12+ as G12+ was all that there was available after VAG stopped supplying G12 - G12+ was only meant to be an improved G12. If you live in an area where winter temperatures can get very low, then by using water you have dropped your protection "a bit" - but you've also dropped your corrosion protection "a bit". Assumming that your dealer will drain and correct the coolant strength when he fixes it (do you think that this will happen?) then either way any problem caused will removed. I'd use the Halford's G12 rated stuff as you have it to hand and what else will you do with it now!

Thanks for the reply, I've already just topped it up with water. I'll let the dealer deal with the rest.

Now..... Anyone want to buy a big bottle of pre-mixed G12 engine coolant?

I used the G12 stuff from Halfords for ages whilst I had a particularly bad engine problem at the time. It's better than water by a long distance if you have to put more than a liter or thereabouts in (which I did )

Help i bought my fab vrs from a mazda dealer in dec 2007 they did a full service but have put blue coolant in is this a problem, have covered about 2000 miles with it in

Help i bought my fab vrs from a mazda dealer in dec 2007 they did a full service but have put blue coolant in is this a problem, have covered about 2000 miles with it in

Depending on the age of your car, it would have been filled with G12 antifreeze (which is red) or, latterly, G12 PLUS (purple) from new. The latter complies with specification TL-VW 774 F and can be mixed with G11 and G12. The Fabia Owner's Handbook cautions that other coolant additives may cause operational problems which, in particular, involves significantly reducing the anticorrosion effect. (Furthermore), any faults or problems resulting from corrosion may cause a loss of coolant and, as a consequence of this, result in major engine damage.

For peace of mind I would have the cooling system drained and refilled with G12 PLUS as soon as convenient. G12 PLUS is a 'filled for life' solution for all types of engines, ie it shouldn't need changing again.

Depending on the age of your car, it would have been filled with G12 antifreeze (which is red) or, latterly, G12 PLUS (purple) from new. The latter complies with specification TL-VW 774 F and can be mixed with G11 and G12. The Fabia Owner's Handbook cautions that other coolant additives may cause operational problems which, in particular, involves significantly reducing the anticorrosion effect. (Furthermore), any faults or problems resulting from corrosion may cause a loss of coolant and, as a consequence of this, result in major engine damage.

For peace of mind I would have the cooling system drained and refilled with G12 PLUS as soon as convenient. G12 PLUS is a 'filled for life' solution for all types of engines, ie it shouldn't need changing again.

I concur.

How much will i be looking at for a coolant change to g12 plus,might just go to local vw dealer as this is closer,hope the 2000 miles ive put on wont do any damage starting to fret that they havnt put the correct oil in now

I've got a problem with my coolant level too but can't find a leak.

Topped the pink stuff my car came with, with blue all purpose stuff from Halfords.

Now worried that it may damage my engine!

Have topped it up with water in the meantime rather than put more blue in!

Any idea of how much it'd cost to get it all drained then replaced?

Cheer!

Hurrah have found a bottle of g 12 off a polo i used to own in my mams garage ,how hard is it to change ,which pipes do i need to take off to drain any tips?

I've got a problem with my coolant level too but can't find a leak.

Topped the pink stuff my car came with, with blue all purpose stuff from Halfords.

Now worried that it may damage my engine!

Have topped it up with water in the meantime rather than put more blue in!

Any idea of how much it'd cost to get it all drained then replaced?

Cheer!

Check the seal around the sensor located on the radiator. It's prone to perishing and will give rise to a slow leak. Very inexpensive to replace, but a sod to detect.

An old thread I know, but finally (after a couple of trips to the dealer) they seem to have found the problem, and it was a leaking radiator as predicted by BoilingPoint above. Should be fixed tomorrow.

Cheers for the help.

Very interesting thread, especially for a car maintenance newbie as myself.

Check HERE for complete list of common failures.

The URL seems to be broken. Does anyone know new URL or subject of the article?

The URL seems to be broken. Does anyone know new URL or subject of the article?

Considering you have tried to click on a link that was from 2008 and it's now 2011 - a whole 3 years on, I'm not surprised that the link isn't working. My guess would be that the forum has archived old posts, most forums tend to auto archive, usually after 1-2 years.

A lot can change in 3 years, the Skoda owners then may not even be Skoda owners now. Try a search on the honestjohn forum's or google may have an archive of the page if you search for a similar subject...

Edited 8 March, 201115 yr by SkodaFabiaOwner

A lot can change in 3 years, the Skoda owners then may not even be Skoda owners now. Try a search on the honestjohn forum's or google may have an archive of the page if you search for a similar subject...

Yes, good point. I will try to find the old content.

Cheers!