Volkswagen Golf Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items

• ◆ Drip tray V.A.G 1306.
• ◆ Hose clip pliers V.A.G 1921.
• ◆ Anti-freeze tester.

Draining

• ‒ Set heating controls to "warm" (heater valve fully open)
• ‒ Remove cap from coolant expansion tank.

• ‒ → Drain coolant either via coolant hoses -1- and -2- or via thermostat flange -3-.

Filling

Notes:

• ◆ Only use coolant additive G 12 in accordance with TL VW 774 D. Identification: coloured red.
• ◆ On no account must G 12 be mixed with other coolant additives !
• ◆ If the fluid in the expansion tank is brown, G 12 has been mixed with other coolant. In this case the coolant must be changed.
• ◆ G 12 and coolant additives marked "In accordance with TL VW 774 D" prevent frost and corrosion damage, scaling and also raise boiling point of coolant. For this reason the system must be filled all year round with frost and corrosion protection additives.
• ◆ Particularly in countries with tropical climates, the coolant due to the higher boiling point improves engine reliability when heavily loaded.
• ◆ Protected against frost to about -25°C (in arctic climatic countries to about -35°C).
• ◆ The coolant concentration must not be reduced by adding water even in warmer seasons and in warmer countries. The anti-freeze ratio must be at least 40 %.
• ◆ If for climatic reasons a greater frost protection is required, the amount of G 12 can be increased, but only up to 60% (frost protection to about -40°C), as otherwise frost protection is reduced again and cooling effectiveness is also reduced.
• ◆ If radiator, heat exchanger, cylinder head or cylinder head gasket is replaced, do not re-use old coolant.

Recommended mixture ratios:

•     1) -    The amount of anti-freeze must not exceed 60 %; frost protection and cooling effect will decrease if amount of anti-freeze is too high.
•     2) -    The quantity of coolant can vary depending upon the vehicle equipment.

• ‒ → Slowly fill with coolant up to max. mark on expansion tank (filling time approx. 5 minutes).
• ‒ Fit expansion tank cap.
• ‒ Run engine until radiator fan cuts-in.
• ‒ Check coolant level and top-up if necessary. When the engine is at normal operating temperature, the coolant level must be on the max. mark, when the engine is cold, between the min. and max. marks.