Hi there,
Last week I had an Oil change and a Coolant change,both done by a local garage. 2 days later I noticed a warning light indicating that the water was low in the reservoir. My Van is a 1995 1.9d T4 , on closer inspection I noticed that the coolant was very low ? I had to add 2 litres of water as I had no coolant and it was an emergency. The garage is closed until the 6th of January.
My question is : Was adding water to the coolant a problem ? and can I add Anti Freeze to the Coolant ? as I have a liter lying in the back of my Van.
Regards
The Scotsman
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Coolant ?
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- Berichten: 298
- Lid geworden op: 10 apr 2008, 16:18
- Locatie: ittervoort
Re: Coolant ?
When it starts freezing, water is not the best thing to have in your system. Is there no other garage? Drain everything and buy anti freeze.
- Pascal-141
- Berichten: 10957
- Lid geworden op: 12 jan 2007, 22:11
- Locatie: Tussen Antwerpen en Brussel
Re: Coolant ?
It depends on WHAT coolant your garage has used ...
If they used universal coolant fluid ( mostly green or blue) : this is mostly mixed with water to a specific ratio (to get to an anti-freeze that can resist let's say -35°C)
If they used the typical G12 (or equivalent) (has an orange/pink color) : this is a "ready to use fluid" , and is not suited to mix with water .
The 1.9td engine can use both the universal coolant or the G12 , BUT do not mix them !
If the universal coolant is used , and now u had to top up 2 L of water , i would advise you to check with a meter to make sure the engine is still resistant to (let's say -25°C at least) , if not , drain some of the coolant and top up again with coolant fluid .
If they used universal coolant fluid ( mostly green or blue) : this is mostly mixed with water to a specific ratio (to get to an anti-freeze that can resist let's say -35°C)
If they used the typical G12 (or equivalent) (has an orange/pink color) : this is a "ready to use fluid" , and is not suited to mix with water .
The 1.9td engine can use both the universal coolant or the G12 , BUT do not mix them !
If the universal coolant is used , and now u had to top up 2 L of water , i would advise you to check with a meter to make sure the engine is still resistant to (let's say -25°C at least) , if not , drain some of the coolant and top up again with coolant fluid .
My current cars:
T3 doka Syncro 5E 2.3i Offroad ombouw
T3 doka Syncro 1.7TD Offroad ombouw
VW Amarok 4Motion highline
T6.1 (2020) 150-DSG ,de nieuwe werkbus
VW Crafter (model 2019) camper
T3 doka Syncro 5E 2.3i Offroad ombouw
T3 doka Syncro 1.7TD Offroad ombouw
VW Amarok 4Motion highline
T6.1 (2020) 150-DSG ,de nieuwe werkbus
VW Crafter (model 2019) camper
- Multivan Generation
- Berichten: 34475
- Lid geworden op: 14 jan 2007, 14:41
- Locatie: Zeeland (Oost)
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Re: Coolant ?
Let's say that 25% of your coolingsystem is diluted with water.
Normally the temperature it can resist is about -25.
With a 1:3 dilution currently in your system, the temperature resistance had decreased,
meaning that it can't resist -25 anymore but less. How much less is a gamble, which I wouldn't take.
There should be a formula for that, which I forgot after over 20 years.
But maybe you can find something using Google, when you're really interested
Hint: calculations on buffers.
In the current temperatures I guess it will not freeze inside your system,
but as Pascal already mentioned is draining and topping up with real coolant again the way to go.
Regards
Peter
Normally the temperature it can resist is about -25.
With a 1:3 dilution currently in your system, the temperature resistance had decreased,
meaning that it can't resist -25 anymore but less. How much less is a gamble, which I wouldn't take.
There should be a formula for that, which I forgot after over 20 years.
But maybe you can find something using Google, when you're really interested

Hint: calculations on buffers.
In the current temperatures I guess it will not freeze inside your system,
but as Pascal already mentioned is draining and topping up with real coolant again the way to go.
Regards
Peter