Volkswagen Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Draining and filling coolant

Special tools and workshop equipment required

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

t	Drip tray for workshop hoist -VAS 6208-

t	Hose clip pliers -VAS 6362-

t	Cooling system charge unit -VAS 6096-

t	Refractometer -T10007 A-

Draining Proceed as follows:   WARNING When the engine is warm, the cooling system is under pressure. Hot steam/hot coolant can escape - risk of scalding. Cover filler cap on expansion tank with a cloth and open carefully to dissipate pressure. –  Open filler cap on expansion tank. –  Remove noise insulation → General body repairs, exterior; Rep. gr.50 Passat, CC, Golf, Scirocco and Eos:

–  Remove air hose -items 1 and 2- and seal charge air cooler with a clean cloth.   Note

Collect drained coolant in a clean container for re-use or disposal. –  Place drip tray for workshop crane -VAS 6208- beneath engine. –  Disconnect coolant hose -1- from radiator (bottom) and drain off coolant.

–  Disconnect bottom coolant hose leading to continued coolant circulation pump -V51--arrow- and drain off coolant.

Tiguan: –  Remove bolt -2- at bracket for coolant pump for continued circulation -V51-.   Note The continued circulation coolant pump -V51- remains installed.

–  Pull off coolant hose -1-.

–  Disconnect bottom coolant hose leading to continued coolant circulation pump -V51--arrow- and drain off coolant.

Vehicles with auxiliary heater: –  Disconnect coolant hoses -arrows- and drain off remaining coolant. Filling:   Caution Only distilled water may be used for mixing with coolant additives. The use of distilled water ensures optimum protection against corrosion.   Note t  The effectiveness of a coolant is largely dependent on the water used for mixing. Because the different substances that are mixed with the water can be specific to individual countries or even regions, Volkswagen has decided to define the water quality for cooling systems. Distilled water meets all the requirements. It is therefore recommended that distilled water be mixed with the coolant whenever an older model's coolant is replenished or replaced. The use of distilled water is obligatory for new types of vehicle (year of manufacture 2010 ►). t  Use only coolant additives in accordance with the → Electronic parts catalogue (ETKA). Other coolant additives may reduce corrosion protection substantially. The resulting damage could lead to loss of coolant and subsequent severe damage to the engine. t  The correct coolant solution ratio helps prevent damage from freezing and corrosion as well as scaling. Moreover, the boiling temperature is raised. Therefore, the cooling system must be filled all year round with coolant additive. t  Because of its higher boiling point, the coolant improves engine reliability under heavy loads, particularly in countries with tropical climates. t  Frost protection must be guaranteed down to about -25 °C (in countries with Arctic climates: 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 coolant additive concentration must be at least 40 %. t  If a stronger anti-freeze mixture is necessary due to harsher weather conditions, the coolant additive content can be increased. However, this is only permitted to 60% (antifreeze protection to about -40°C). Otherwise, the antifreeze protection will be reduced again and the cooling effect will be impaired. t  If radiator, heat exchanger, cylinder head or cylinder head gasket is renewed, do not reuse old coolant. t  The Refractometer -T10007A- is recommended for determining the current anti-freeze density. Recommended mixture ratios:

Frost protection to	Anti-freeze proportion	Coolant additive 1)	Distilled water 1)
-25 °C -35 °C	40 % 50 %	3.2 l 4.0 l	4.8 l 4.0 l

1) The quantity of coolant can vary depending on the vehicle equipment.

–  Connect bottom coolant hose -1- to radiator. –  Install air pipe.

–  Connect the coolant hose to the continued circulation coolant pump -V51--arrow-.

Vehicles with auxiliary heater: –  Connect coolant hoses -arrows-. –  Install noise insulation → General body repairs, exterior; Rep. gr.50. All: With cooling system charge unit -VAS 6096-: –  Screw adapter for cooling system tester -V.A.G 1274/8- onto expansion tank. –  Fill coolant circuit using cooling system charge unit -VAS 6096- → Operating instructions for cooling system charge unit VAS 6096. Without cooling system charge unit -VAS 6096-:

–  Slowly fill coolant to upper marking of shaded field on expansion tank. –  Fit expansion tank cap. –  Start engine and maintain an engine speed of about 2000 rpm for about 3 minutes. –  Run engine until radiator fan -V7- cuts-in.   WARNING When the engine is warm, the cooling system is under pressure. Hot steam/hot coolant can escape - risk of scalding. Cover filler cap on expansion tank with a cloth and open carefully to dissipate pressure. –  Check coolant level and top-up if necessary. When the engine is at operating temperature, the coolant level must be at the upper mark; when the engine is cold, in the middle of the shaded field.