Antifreeze concerns ... is G12 safe long-term?
01-26-2008, 08:45 PM
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Burning Brakes
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Antifreeze concerns ... is G12 safe long-term?
As I understand it, our Porsches came with pink G12 antifreeze:
G12 is on OAT type antifreeze and in fact, DEX-COOL is very similar. It is specified as a replacement for it (by the industry, not by Porsche which still calls for G12) and is mixable:
http://www.valvoline.com/zerex/pdf/Z...d=1B5D1AEA1AFC
According to Porsche, G12 in our cars is a lifetime antifreeze. But DEX-COOL is not a lifetime antifreeze and is meant to be changed every 5 years / 150,000 miles:
http://www.valvoline.com/pages/produ...asp?product=11
Our cars are now at the five year point.
What's more, Audi also called for G12 in their cars. But there have been problems and issues with DEX-COOL related to damage to aluminium and plastics which also implicated G12. For that reason, Audi has quietly upgraded to G12 Plus:
It is purple instead of pink. G12 Plus is a HOAT antifreeze rather than OAT. They no longer put pink G12 in their cars though I believe Porsche still does.
Audi engines tend to need to have their timing belts changed periodically. When they do, it is normal practice to also replace the water pump and thermostat. Of course, you replace the fluid at the same time. So the Audi fleet is slowly upgrading as the maintenace is done. This is not true with our cars.
Has anyone else considered this issue? I found nothing posted.
Stephen
G12 is on OAT type antifreeze and in fact, DEX-COOL is very similar. It is specified as a replacement for it (by the industry, not by Porsche which still calls for G12) and is mixable:
http://www.valvoline.com/zerex/pdf/Z...d=1B5D1AEA1AFC
According to Porsche, G12 in our cars is a lifetime antifreeze. But DEX-COOL is not a lifetime antifreeze and is meant to be changed every 5 years / 150,000 miles:
http://www.valvoline.com/pages/produ...asp?product=11
Our cars are now at the five year point.
What's more, Audi also called for G12 in their cars. But there have been problems and issues with DEX-COOL related to damage to aluminium and plastics which also implicated G12. For that reason, Audi has quietly upgraded to G12 Plus:
It is purple instead of pink. G12 Plus is a HOAT antifreeze rather than OAT. They no longer put pink G12 in their cars though I believe Porsche still does.
Audi engines tend to need to have their timing belts changed periodically. When they do, it is normal practice to also replace the water pump and thermostat. Of course, you replace the fluid at the same time. So the Audi fleet is slowly upgrading as the maintenace is done. This is not true with our cars.
Has anyone else considered this issue? I found nothing posted.
Stephen
01-26-2008, 09:49 PM
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The '01's and '02 came with green antifreeze, it has now been updated to the pink. I haven't seen any info on the Purple HOAT fluid.
01-27-2008, 10:28 AM
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Burning Brakes
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Not sure my 2001 came with green in Europe. I seem to remember it being pink. But I'm not in Europe now so I cannot check and see. It is quite possible that there was a difference between Europe and North America because at least some of these changes have been due to environmental laws.
Stephen
10-31-2008, 12:37 PM
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I would change out 6 yr old coolant.. I don't believe in "lifetime" fluids.
Porsche doesn't sell the green stuff anymore. You can mix green with the new pink coolant. However, you will be doing a full flush so mixing is not a concern anyways.
Instead of buying the VW/AUDI stuff, I just ordered 4 gallons of Porsche coolant.
Porsche doesn't sell the green stuff anymore. You can mix green with the new pink coolant. However, you will be doing a full flush so mixing is not a concern anyways.
Instead of buying the VW/AUDI stuff, I just ordered 4 gallons of Porsche coolant.
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10-31-2008, 02:44 PM
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I recommend joyrides suggestions and statement. Zerex manufactures the latest coolant for Porsche. However, it is blended specific for Porsche. Don't mess around with coolant issues. If your car has 4 year old coolant>dump it and purchase the Original Porsche fluid. Buy a new "blue" coolant cap.
01-28-2013, 11:47 PM
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Another old thread bump (hopefully last one tonight). 
Any definitive data that the G12+ as currently sold by Audi works in the 996TT?
ECS Tuning sells Porsche coolant for $31/gallon. My Audi dealer has coolant for about $6 less/gallon. Worth it to save the $12+ shipping ($25 total) on 2 gallons of coolant....Or pony up the extra $$ for Porsche coolant?
Thanks!
Any definitive data that the G12+ as currently sold by Audi works in the 996TT?
ECS Tuning sells Porsche coolant for $31/gallon. My Audi dealer has coolant for about $6 less/gallon. Worth it to save the $12+ shipping ($25 total) on 2 gallons of coolant....Or pony up the extra $$ for Porsche coolant?
Thanks!
