Help Needed! Replacing Coolant...

[Matthew]

Hi guys,

Firstly I'll admit I'm an idiot. Was topping the coolant reservoir up in the Octavia and due to the woman on the street yapping away I have closed the bonnet and forgot to put the lid back on

Short trip to Sainsburys and back and its boiled the coolant, and all has pissed out all over my street and drive. The cap is no where to be seen, its probably dropped through and is on the road somewhere.

I'm picking a new cap up today but how do I replace the entire coolant? Do I mix it 50/50 with water and just keep adding it to the coolant reservoir until it reaches half way between max and min? I have no idea.

Help!

 

[Krarl]

Depends what antifreeze you're using. Some stuff is ready mixed etc. I usually mix it 50/50 in a separate 5l tub and then pour it in rather than guessing

 

[Matthew]

Thanks, getting the stuff direct from VW. Believe its concentrate. Does it just go into the reservoir (where the min/max is)?

 

[Krarl]

Thanks, getting the stuff direct from VW. Believe its concentrate. Does it just go into the reservoir (where the min/max is)?

Aye mate, mix it 50/50 before you stick it in so you know you're definitely getting 50/50 and not 70/30. You might need to a special bleeding technique and summon the lord jesus christ whilst dancing on a ouija board because its an 2010+ VAG ?

 

[Gus]

How empty is the reservoir at the moment?

 

[Matthew]

Im hoping it would bleed itself when the caps back on with the engine running!! Not sure how empty, a lot came out so I'm presuming its nearly all gone on the floor.

 

[Gus]

As above if the reservoir is empty then you will need to bleed it ideally which isn't that hard.

 

[Matthew]

What's the best way? I have no idea about these things..

 

[Krarl]

I think there's a bleeder on the bulkhead of some VAG stuff. Might have to get your head in there and proper dig for it though

 

[JB21]

You'll probably need G13 for yours but check your handbook. I use G12 in my VRS which is pink, the G13 is purple. ECP is cheapest...

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Regarding bleeding again if like the mk2 its a self bleeding system and you top up and let it run through the system and keep toping up until it stops taking it. Can take a while to get it full.

 

[Matthew]

Do you put the lid on when starting it up for it to self bleed?

 

[JB21]

Do you put the lid on when starting it up for it to self bleed?

Yes fill it to max, replace the lid and run the car until it drops to min, rinse and repeat until it sits at max. Squeezing the coolant pipes help speed the bleeding up as well.

 

[Matthew]

Thanks for the help guys