COOLANT ?

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Nov 25, 2018 | 01:20 PM

Baker waldo

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COOLANT ?

So I just got my 2003 Audi a4 and I just want to know how much g12 should I put it in after a flush, and if should I mix it with water to do a 60/40 coolant inside(?) I am from Oregon by the way and it's quite cold in here sometimes it snows but still kinda freezing. In addition, the previous owner told me to look after the cooling system very much, because it has a cracked head gasket(not blown, he told me) and it has a small leak, probably the coolant, and I don't want my car to overheat or to have a blown engine. I am also planning to clean/flush out my heater core and stuff because my heater is not really functioning well, it has a weak heat coming out and sometimes there's no heat at all. I am already planning to buy some g12 but I don't know how much should I buy. So what should I do? (Newbie here)

Nov 26, 2018 | 06:33 AM

lyleswk

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From: Fort Worth, Tx

From memory, it is just shy of 2 gallons. The other thing I can't remember is when i buy it from the dealer, if it is premixed, or I bought one gallon of collant and one gallon of distilled water.

One other note. I have never had a problem bleeding the system, but other have. I have just filled the reservoir to the max level, started the car, turned the heater on, and keep filling until the coolant stays at max. That has been enough in my experience to bleed it properly. As always, watch you coolant temp closely for a while after you do the work.

Nov 26, 2018 | 12:49 PM

Baker waldo

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Great! But then if it is not premixed then do I have to mix them before putting it inside the reservoir? Or I just have to put them one by one first.

Nov 26, 2018 | 04:36 PM

turbo510

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From: Fallbrook, CA

The new coolant is G13, and contains Glycerin. The coolant should be pre-mixed according to the recommendations on the container, then poured into your reservoir.

I'm concerned about that "cracked head gasket" comment. Those don't normally, if ever, "crack". An engine that has lost coolant for any number of reasons, and then over-heated will often cause cracks in the Aluminum cylinder head, or distort enough for the head gasket to fail.

Regarding filling the system, having the heater "ON" has no effect either way (there's no heater coolant valve) but running the engine during filling will usually lead to air trapped in the heater pipes. The pump has to be stopped for the coolant to rise and force air from the bleeder hole in the heater discharge hose.

Nov 26, 2018 | 05:07 PM

Baker waldo

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I am ordering a g13 right now and i think it's not a 50/50, so should I mix it before pouring? or should I put it like one by one, antifreeze first then distilled water?

re: head gasket:
If so maybe I just have to replace the head gasket? how much will it cost to replace the head gasket, including the labor and stuff?

Nov 27, 2018 | 11:14 AM

lyleswk

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From: Fort Worth, Tx

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbo510

T
Regarding filling the system, having the heater "ON" has no effect either way (there's no heater coolant valve) but running the engine during filling will usually lead to air trapped in the heater pipes. The pump has to be stopped for the coolant to rise and force air from the bleeder hole in the heater discharge hose.

That's interesting. I guess in my reading I never noted that, I thought there was a valve. And I wanted to clarify that I filled to max, refilling without the engine running until the reservoir stopped draining; usually took several topoffs. Then I started the engine and never let the reservoir get below min as I gradually filled it. Do you think that still would tend to lead to air?

Nov 27, 2018 | 11:21 AM

lyleswk

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From: Fort Worth, Tx

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baker waldo

re: head gasket:
If so maybe I just have to replace the head gasket? how much will it cost to replace the head gasket, including the labor and stuff?

I didn't really address the head question below, but agree with turbo. "Cracked" versus "Blown" sounds to me like it just means there isn't a large leak yet, but once you drive it a while you will know. I have been driving an ML 320 with a "leaking" head (I have to refill the reservoir about every 400 to 500 miles with no visual leaks) for 100,000 miles. It has recently started using about twice that rate, but at 300,000 miles, I'm inclined to just junk the car.

I also drove a Merkur (2.3 Ford turbo) that only lasted about 1000 miles when I started to think the head was leaking. Turbos are usually much harder on heads that normally aspirated. Only way to know is to fill it and watch the coolant level. Cost to replace? $1500 to $2000.