G-12 Alternative.

[This Is Epic]

Is it safe to run regular 50/50 antifreeze? What are the differences between G-12 and just the regular stuff?

After a shit load of work to my car and replacing the old G-12 my coolant flange was leaking so I had to replace that in return I lost all my recycled coolant. I'm running straight water now and it's been over 100+ the past week and I believe the water is just evaporating (if thats possible) I'm not seeing any noticeable leaks thats why I am assuming this.

[Nebone]

It will be very tough to find water leaks as if it leaks it will just evaporate with no trace while hitting the hot block for example. G12 is the preferred type of coolant due to its cooling and sealing properties. It is sorta Ok to run water in high heat but get some G12.

Don't use regular coolant, and do not attempt to mix regular coolant with G12 as it will mix and make ugly results.

[This Is Epic]

Problem is there is nowhere around me to get G-12. Nearest dealer is about 35 minutes away from work in the opposite direction of my 2 hour drive home.

[Nebone]

O c'mon. I (and many Audi owners alike) take long drives to specialy mechanics for special cases on Audis so noobs wouldn't touch it. Another hour of driving won't hurt ya.
Its going to cost like $30 a gallon or so. Buy a gallon of G12, and mix it with distilled water 50/50.

[cam]

gm's dexcool, you can get it from autozone.

[This Is Epic]

O c'mon. I (and many Audi owners alike) take long drives to specialy mechanics for special cases on Audis so noobs wouldn't touch it. Another hour of driving won't hurt ya.
Its going to cost like $30 a gallon or so. Buy a gallon of G12, and mix it with distilled water 50/50.

I'm just really low on water now, was hoping to be able to just go buy some regular stuff when a buddy from work drives to lunch. There is absolutely no G-12 coolant in the system right now, straight distilled.

[This Is Epic]

Well if I don't put G-12 coolant in it you guys will kill me, so I found a BMW dealer down the street who sells it for $27 gal.

I would still like to know what the actual difference is between G-12 and regular antifreeze besides it has "additives." It's always nice to know these sorts of things.

[Poopie]

if you do a complete flush you can use regular anitfreeze

[This Is Epic]

if you do a complete flush you can use regular anitfreeze

It's flushed right now it's 100% distilled. Any specific stuff I should or shouldn't use?

[Jibberific]

I was looking over the old maintenance records for my car recently. Apparently about a year ago the car was in for a coolant flush because he put the normal bright green stuff in the reservoir, and the car started overheating and spewing coolant out everywhere. So whatever you do, don't use that kind.

[Stampy]

The shockingly pink is the way to go.

[Nebone]

Many oder VW like MK3 and below, used to run regular green coolant. People replaced that with the pink G12, but had to do a complete flush, or it would make a nasty doodie mess.

[keeganhartman]

the older vws use g11 coolant which in itself is still different than the neon green coolant you can buy from anywhere. i do not know about after a flush though i would maybe run it(normal coolant) just to go get some g12 from the dealer.

[bastosmafka]

yeah the owner i bought my car off of im guessing pretty much mixed and theres like slushy crap at the top of my reservoir... dont it its not worthit. pinks the way to go.

[biketsai]

I completely flushed mine and now run Dexcool- its like $10 and undiluted so add a gallon of water and BAM- cheap coolant.

[djwimbo]

and now run Dexcool...

MMmm. Bad idea.
Anybody know what Dex-Cool does? or what's in it?
Dex-cool turns acidic WAY too quickly and has been known to have issues.
IIRC there's actually living organisms in Dex-Cool, when they die, ..it hits the fan.

Personally, I run Toyota Red "long life" coolant. It's designed to run in engines w/ the same designs, metallurgy and water pump designs. It's tried and true. NTM it doesn't cost $30/gal. Granted I got it for free from the dealership I used to work at.

[audinutt]

Quick note on the flange leaking, mine was leaking from the oring and as it turned out somehow the bracket for the upper metal pipe running over the intake (for coolant) had been bent slightly. This was causing my leak, when i discovered this i quickly rectified it and have yet to see that area crusty with coolant and/or smell it again :)

-richard

[creechsa4]

dexcool here, used it for years on all my cars. with recent rebuild, my water jackets, radiator, water pump, were all perfect. no build up. 12.00 walmart!

[audinutt]

[QUOTE=djwimbo;2630145]MMmm. Bad idea.
Anybody know what Dex-Cool does? or what's in it?
Dex-cool turns acidic WAY too quickly and has been known to have issues.
IIRC there's actually living organisms in Dex-Cool, when they die, ..it hits the fan.

Dexcool is bad news IMO, worked in the industry and unless you flush and fill annually i wouldnt ever use it.
Dexcool also does gunk/sludge up and can lead to some pretty expensive repairs. Some people think it's great, but for my car G-12 is worth the price. Especially if you consider the cost to fill the tank it's all relative, coolant lasts a LOT longer than gas.

On a sidenote, I used non audi coolant to top off once and my 10k mile waterpump started making noise the next month. Coincidence? not worth me saving a few bucks to find out.

-Richard

[Mad_Audi]

gotta love the pink son. no homo green shit in my car ever! haha

[GetBoosted84]

When I checked my coolant last it was the green stuff. Hmmm, might be time for me to do a coolant flush on my car.

[biketsai]

On another note- I do plan on changing my coolant out annually and my coolant leaks EVERYday due to a bad Banjo washer setup. So I think Id rather leak out the $12 stuff as opposed to the $30 stuff. There have been SO many threads about dexcool and I dont think I would have put it into my car if it was going to harm it.

[audinutt]

If you are leaking it that fast then i wouldnt worry.
-richard

[00SantorinS4]

Run G12 only.
ecstuning.com sells the stuff, it will be on your doorstep in three-four days usually.
If you can wait that long, good. I've always had good experiences with them and highly recommend ecs.

[Nebone]

My girls VR6 is leaking from the flange so I'm working overtime to buy the coolant :) Thats for now until I find some time to replace the flange which is PITA

[Toyotatech]

You don't want to use non factory coolant do to the silicates added to aftermarket coolant, silicates break down rubber.

The buildup is caused by improper ph levels for long periods of time.

When you buy a brand new car all waranty claims get reviewed to determine what changes should be made, parts are designed around certain fluids.

At Toyota I see high milage cars that used Toyota coolant their whole lives and we never replace coolant hoses on them, cars that we do have bad hoses on them always have green coolant in the tank.

[Squarrl]

Try your local vw dealer for the G12 its not that expensive I got a bottle for like $15. G002000 was expensive but G004000mrk2 the replacement its like $30. I think VAG is reducing fluid costs.

[djwimbo]

At Toyota I see high milage cars that used Toyota coolant their whole lives and we never replace coolant hoses on them, cars that we do have bad hoses on them always have green coolant in the tank.

I second that one. I've seen a lot of Toyota's at the dealers I've worked at w/ 250K+ without any issues of hoses bulging, head gaskets, etc.
Granted the coolant is recommended to be replaced every 60K and most do so. I've seen some go a LOT longer than that w/o any serious issues.

Either way, at all costs I avoid Dex-Cool. Even in my parents GM's, the first thing I did when they bought them was to flush it out and put in green. Their cars like the green though.

[Nebone]

I understand material properties but I'm bumb about chemistry except basic pH, even tho I took few classes. From that said, I'm using specified fluids for given material types.

I have 2 European cars and 2 Japaniese cars in the driveway and have all specified fluids in the garage for each. I even have that Toyota coolant which is also red like G12.

[djwimbo]

the color is basically just for association.
Kinda like ATF. Some is purple, green, blue, red, etc. They can make it any color they want.

As far as the Toyota stuff goes, all they care about is the difference between their two. Toyota pink and Toyota Red. Red is universal, '04+ used the Pink "Super Long Life" coolant.
I use Toyota coolant b/c it's chemically really close to G12, but half the price. NTM I've used it for years w/o any issues. I also used to get it for free.

[andyrew]

You could just run with water for the time being... maybe a thing of water wetter.. Its summer time....

Thats what Im running for the past 3 months as Im going to flush it all when my big turbo goes in (soon).

[bass_lover1]

I've been using PEAK Long life coolant for over a year with no issues, just remember to do a full system flush if you're wanting to change.

Also, there isn't anything special about G-12, it's your typical long life silicate and additive free coolant.