Mixing coolants
#1
Mixing coolants
I'm going on a trip tomorrow morning and I want to get an early start. I noticed today that my coolant level is at "Minimum." Will I do any damage to the system if I top it off with regular fresh Prestone? Otherwise, I'm going to have to wait for the dealer to open.
#5
Race Director
You are thus heading out with a Turbo with a cooling system leak. That is not a good thing to do.
Now the problem could be with the cap but it might be the coolant tank, the water pump, one or more coolant hose fittings, or even a radiator (or two or even...sigh... three).
You really should identify the leak and have it fixed before you drive the car.
#6
what colour coolant is in the car currently? if green/yellow, then use Prestone, etc for top-up..
if pink/red use distilled water, or if convenient,visit local VW/Audi dealer and ask for a bottle of G13 coolant(gallon jug is $20-30)
Distilled water is the safe path, but ensure the mixture is safe for the winter months if driven/stored in cold temps.
might be surprised how much it takes to top-up, go overkill on volume you purchase...also inspect for leaks/ cause of loss..
if pink/red use distilled water, or if convenient,visit local VW/Audi dealer and ask for a bottle of G13 coolant(gallon jug is $20-30)
Distilled water is the safe path, but ensure the mixture is safe for the winter months if driven/stored in cold temps.
might be surprised how much it takes to top-up, go overkill on volume you purchase...also inspect for leaks/ cause of loss..
#7
while adding distilled is the safest route if one doesn't know what is in there. i prefer to maintain a healthy balance of 50/50 coolant/distilled and i keep a pre mixed 50/50 solution of vw/audi g13 pre mixed for topoffs.
i have no leaks but find on occasion in extreme temps that an occasional top off is indicated. i call it evaporation, but dont understand how/why. but what's a once a year topoff? not much.
i have no leaks but find on occasion in extreme temps that an occasional top off is indicated. i call it evaporation, but dont understand how/why. but what's a once a year topoff? not much.
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#8
Race Director
while adding distilled is the safest route if one doesn't know what is in there. i prefer to maintain a healthy balance of 50/50 coolant/distilled and i keep a pre mixed 50/50 solution of vw/audi g13 pre mixed for topoffs.
i have no leaks but find on occasion in extreme temps that an occasional top off is indicated. i call it evaporation, but dont understand how/why. but what's a once a year topoff? not much.
i have no leaks but find on occasion in extreme temps that an occasional top off is indicated. i call it evaporation, but dont understand how/why. but what's a once a year topoff? not much.
Because vapor -- water vapor -- leaks while the coolant level drops the system doesn't lose anti-freeze, so just adding distilled water to bring the level back up doesn't dilute the mixture.
Another source of a loss of coolant is the water pump seal. My info is the seal can leak. I was told a bit of an anti-freeze stain from dried anti-freeze is ok, but one should never see any wet coolant dripping.
#9
my bet is a radiator core has a small weep/leak...
#10
I just had this very similar issue with mine, I had it pressure tested and it all checked out ok. I was advised to to just add distilled water.
#11
The cap can be leaking. What can happen is the coolant is particularly hot and if the engine is shut off with the fans running because the coolant temperature is elevated, the heat load of the engine can raise coolant temperature and pressure and the pressure can overcome the cap and leak vapor.
Because vapor -- water vapor -- leaks while the coolant level drops the system doesn't lose anti-freeze, so just adding distilled water to bring the level back up doesn't dilute the mixture.
Another source of a loss of coolant is the water pump seal. My info is the seal can leak. I was told a bit of an anti-freeze stain from dried anti-freeze is ok, but one should never see any wet coolant dripping.
Because vapor -- water vapor -- leaks while the coolant level drops the system doesn't lose anti-freeze, so just adding distilled water to bring the level back up doesn't dilute the mixture.
Another source of a loss of coolant is the water pump seal. My info is the seal can leak. I was told a bit of an anti-freeze stain from dried anti-freeze is ok, but one should never see any wet coolant dripping.
#13
..right, but its not the "blue" cap itself? is it? but rather the black cap that has the snap release on it, no? and why we need to pressurize the system on a coolant flush by leaving the breather unsnapped, until it normalizes the close it. i have a reasonably new expansion tank ( not cracked/yellowed ), and still get occasional excess out the breather cap? that make it onto the motor mounts area and is that milky white dried coolant. never enough to matter, and once topped off, i'm good for the hot months, which are now ( mostly ) behind us.