Audi Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Draining and filling cooling system

Special tools and workshop equipment required

t	Adapter for cooling system tester -V.A.G 1274/8-

t	Pipe -V.A.G 1274/10-

t	Drip tray -V.A.G 1306-

t	Hose clip pliers -V.A.G 1921-

t	Refractometer -T10007-

Draining   Note Collect drained coolant in a clean container for re-use or disposal.   WARNING Hot steam or hot coolant can escape when expansion tank is opened; cover filler cap with cloth and open carefully. –  Open filler cap on coolant expansion tank.

–  Vehicles with auxiliary heater: remove bolts -arrows- securing exhaust pipe for auxiliary/additional heater to noise insulation.

–  Release bolts or quick-release fasteners -1- and -2- and take off front noise insulation. –  Place drip tray -V.A.G 1306- under engine.

Vehicles with drain plug: –  Turn drain plug -2- on radiator anti-clockwise and drain coolant (attach hose to connection if necessary). Vehicles without drain plug: –  Pull off retaining clip from radiator outlet coolant temperature sender -G83--item 3-. –  Pull coolant temperature sender out of hose connection and drain off coolant.

All models: –  Also open coolant drain plug on rear left of engine -arrow-.

–  Also disconnect coolant hose at oil cooler -arrow-, and drain off remaining coolant. Filling   Note t  The cooling system is filled all year round with a mixture of water and radiator antifreeze/anti-corrosion agent. t  It is important to use only coolant additive Plus -G 012 A8F A1- (also designated as “G12+”) “meeting specification TL VW 774 F”. Other coolant additives could seriously impair in particular the anti-corrosion properties. The resulting damage could lead to loss of coolant and consequently to serious engine damage. t  Coolant additive “G12+” may be mixed with additives “G11” and “G12”. t  “G12+” and coolant additives marked “Conforming with specification TL VW 774 F” prevent frost and corrosion damage and stop scale from forming. Such additives also raise the boiling point of the coolant. For these reasons the cooling system must be filled all year round with the correct antifreeze and anticorrosion additive. t  Because of its high boiling point, the coolant improves engine reliability under heavy loads, particularly in countries with tropical climates. t  Frost protection is required down to about –25 °C (in countries with arctic climate: down to about –35 °C). t  The coolant concentration must not be reduced by adding water even in warmer seasons and in warmer countries. The antifreeze concentration must be at least 40 %. t  If greater frost protection is required in very cold climates, the amount of “G12+” can be increased, but only up to 60% (this gives frost protection to about –40 °C). If antifreeze concentration exceeds 60%, frost protection decreases again and cooling efficiency is also impaired. t  Use only clean tap water for mixing coolant. t  If radiator, heat exchanger, cylinder head, cylinder head gasket or cylinder block have been renewed, do not re-use old coolant. t  Contaminated or dirty coolant must not be used again. t  To check frost protection level of coolant additive “G12+” you must use a refractometer -T10007-. t  Renew seal. Recommended mixture ratios:

Frost protection to	Anti-freeze amount	“G12+” → Note	Water → Note
–25 °C –35 °C	40 % 50 %	3.2 ltr. 4.0 ltr.	4.8 ltr. 4.0 ltr.

1)  Cooling system capacity: 8.0 litres (may differ depending on vehicle equipment)

Vehicles with drain plug: –  Turn drain plug -2- on radiator clockwise. Vehicles without drain plug: –  Insert radiator outlet coolant temperature sender -G83--item 3- with new O-ring into connection and locate with retaining clip.

All models: –  Close coolant drain plug on rear left of engine -arrow- (20 Nm).   Note Renew O-ring.

–  Connect coolant hose to oil cooler -arrow-.

–  Screw adapter -V.A.G 1274/8- onto coolant expansion tank. –  Fit pipe -V.A.G 1274/10- onto adapter.

–  Detach rubber seal of plenum chamber cover in direction of arrow. –  Detach plenum chamber cover -1- towards the front.

–  Remove engine cover panel -arrows-.

–  Unscrew bleeder screw -arrow-. –  Fill up with coolant until it comes out at bleeder hole in coolant pipe. –  Tighten bleeder screw to 15 Nm.   Note Renew seal.

–  Release coolant hose going to heat exchanger and pull back hose until bleeder hole in hose -arrow- is no longer blocked by the connection. –  Fill up with coolant until it flows out at bleeder hole in coolant hose. –  Push coolant hose onto connection and secure with hose clip. –  Fit expansion tank cap. –  Start engine and maintain an engine speed of about 2,000 rpm for approx. 3 minutes. –  Then allow engine to idle until bottom coolant hose at radiator becomes hot.   WARNING Hot steam or hot coolant can escape when expansion tank is opened; cover filler cap with cloth and open carefully. –  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. –  Switch off engine. Tightening torque

Component	Nm
Bleeder screw to coolant pipe	15