VW Antifreeze in the m20?

[320Touring]

My little brother's skoda uses VAG G12+ coolant/antifreeze.

would it also be suitable for my m20 lump? its due a coolant change soon, and I dont wanna use something that may damage the head.

if it isnt-can anyone recommend a good coolant?

thanks

[Ziggy]

Well we all know it's important to get it right in the m20, but I couldn't find anything really convincing as to what was a good antifreeze to use... Some people say certain 'high spec' ones aren't good for our type of engine, but I couldn't really find out why.

My solution? Go to the dealer & use the BMW stuff. It's not even that expensive & it comes in a BMW bottle...

[mrLEE30]

for hot climates i use mitsubishi coolant, one litre mixed with 4 litres of deionised water. but my bmws run in 50C summer heat with no worries.

recommended for the summer!! it comes in a large catfood tin!!!

mrlee

[320Touring]

My solution? Go to the dealer & use the BMW stuff. It's not even that expensive & it comes in a BMW bottle...

good point, well made sir how much is "not even that expensive"?

for hot climates i use mitsubishi coolant, one litre mixed with 4 litres of deionised water. but my bmws run in 50C summer heat with no worries.

recommended for the summer!! it comes in a large catfood tin!!!

mrlee

dude, I live in Scotland! closest we get is -50c

sounds like an idea though, is it antifreeze too? how much is it?

[Demlotcrew]

I canny dayit captin!

VW Pink fluid
BMW Blue fluid

Thats a negative captin!

[320Touring]

I canny dayit captin!

VW Pink fluid
BMW Blue fluid

Thats a negative captin!

TY-plain and simple answer

so boot lock and coolant then, from the stealer

[Ziggy]

It's about 6 or 7 quid a bottle IIRC & you need 2... I just told the parts guy I needed some antifreeze for a m20 & that's what I got!

[320Touring]

It's about 6 or 7 quid a bottle IIRC & you need 2... I just told the parts guy I needed some antifreeze for a m20 & that's what I got!

demlotcrew-quick query, why is the g12+ not suitable? I've ran a few G11 VW on g12+ with no problems, aparently its "safe" for most engines...

[Demlotcrew]

I remember reading an article about the difference on anti freeze and the red/pink stuff was no good in our engines (something to do with corrosion) so i stick with the blue BMW stuff, which i find cheaper during the summer.

Andrew

[320Touring]

I remember reading an article about the difference on anti freeze and the red/pink stuff was no good in our engines (something to do with corrosion) so i stick with the blue BMW stuff, which i find cheaper during the summer.

Andrew

thanks

just wondering

[tim_s]

I remember reading an article about the difference on anti freeze and the red/pink stuff was no good in our engines (something to do with corrosion) so i stick with the blue BMW stuff, which i find cheaper during the summer.

Andrew

it appears that G12 is actually made by Valvoline (Zerex), although Pentosin makes a similar, and I believe compatible, coolant.

G12 is Valvoline/Zerex Glysantin G 30, the datasheet for which may be found at http://www.valvoline-technology.com/

It was developed in conjunction with BASF, and more info on G12 is to be found at http://www.basf.de/en/produkte/chemikal ... ification/

The VAG specification for G12 antifreeze is TL 774-D.

In January, 2003, VW/Audi introduced G12+ (part number G 012 A8F A4), an antifreeze with purple coloration. It can be freely mixed with the original pink G12 (part number ZVW 237 G12). The VAG specification for G12+ is TL 774-F. From the information at the above BASF site, Glysantin G 30 meets both specifications. I believe that the only significant difference between the two is the color - changed to help prevent people from thinking that GM Dexcool compatible (typically orange) coolant could be used to top-up the original G12 (pink), which is not the case.

The older, blue-green, VW G11 coolant has VAG specification TL 774-C, and is Glysantin G 48.

BMW use valvoline/zerex G48 for e30s, well they did when i checked many years ago (when I first had the M42). i dont know that much about what BMW use etc. but G48 is the same as VW's G11, the old stuff that caused corrosion problems on alloy parts on the VR6 et al.
The consensus is G11 = iron engines, G12/G12+ alloy engines.
The G12 is non-silicate, non-phosphate, so no corrosion issues etc.
G12/12+ is good shit. imo if any coolant would be problematic on alloy parts, it would be the G11/G48 spec stuff, not the G12.
i still think using BMW coolant is sensible advice though.
fwiw i've been using the pink VW G12/G12+ stuff for about 5 years in my M42 (obv its had a few changes - although its lifetime). i've also used it in M52s and M44s. all have been fine, in fact when i had my M42 in bits, the head and block coolant channels etc were in really good condition.
i wouldnt hesistate to use it, and its competitively priced. it (G12+) can be mixed with G12 and G11 stuff without ill-effects too, and is a fill-for-life effort (although i personally will still be changing mine every few yrs).

i'd love to hear some more info on BMW coolants if anyone has the info.

[320Touring]

it appears that G12 is actually made by Valvoline (Zerex), although Pentosin makes a similar, and I believe compatible, coolant.

G12 is Valvoline/Zerex Glysantin G 30, the datasheet for which may be found at http://www.valvoline-technology.com/

It was developed in conjunction with BASF, and more info on G12 is to be found at http://www.basf.de/en/produkte/chemikal ... ification/

The VAG specification for G12 antifreeze is TL 774-D.

In January, 2003, VW/Audi introduced G12+ (part number G 012 A8F A4), an antifreeze with purple coloration. It can be freely mixed with the original pink G12 (part number ZVW 237 G12). The VAG specification for G12+ is TL 774-F. From the information at the above BASF site, Glysantin G 30 meets both specifications. I believe that the only significant difference between the two is the color - changed to help prevent people from thinking that GM Dexcool compatible (typically orange) coolant could be used to top-up the original G12 (pink), which is not the case.

The older, blue-green, VW G11 coolant has VAG specification TL 774-C, and is Glysantin G 48.

BMW use valvoline/zerex G48 for e30s, well they did when i checked many years ago (when I first had the M42). i dont know that much about what BMW use etc. but G48 is the same as VW's G11, the old stuff that caused corrosion problems on alloy parts on the VR6 et al.
The consensus is G11 = iron engines, G12/G12+ alloy engines.
The G12 is non-silicate, non-phosphate, so no corrosion issues etc.
G12/12+ is good shit. imo if any coolant would be problematic on alloy parts, it would be the G11/G48 spec stuff, not the G12.
i still think using BMW coolant is sensible advice though.
fwiw i've been using the pink VW G12/G12+ stuff for about 5 years in my M42 (obv its had a few changes - although its lifetime). i've also used it in M52s and M44s. all have been fine, in fact when i had my M42 in bits, the head and block coolant channels etc were in really good condition.
i wouldnt hesistate to use it, and its competitively priced. it (G12+) can be mixed with G12 and G11 stuff without ill-effects too, and is a fill-for-life effort (although i personally will still be changing mine every few yrs).

i'd love to hear some more info on BMW coolants if anyone has the info.[/quote]

this is what I'd heard too, cos I know that the g12+ is safe for most any alloy lump.....