Club G40 Forum

Technical => Engine and Transmission => Topic started by: rml2711 on June 02, 2014, 12:56:19 PM

Title: G13 coolant safe to use?
Post by: rml2711 on June 02, 2014, 12:56:19 PM
My local VW dealer can only supply G13 coolant.....is it safe to use in a '92 G40?
The parts man says yes it's fully compatible. ..but that isn't quite the same as a recommendation.
Any thoughts please?
The current coolant will be flushed  out as part of the water pump replacement.

Thanks, Peter
Title: Re: G13 coolant safe to use?
Post by: Ben.lopo on June 02, 2014, 01:01:42 PM
If it was me I wouldn't I've been told not to the ally head don't like it , I use prestige universal from Gsf works well haven't had any problems and been running it for 2years  ( is g13 the red one or is that 12 ? Gs Come with g11 originally
Title: Re: G13 coolant safe to use?
Post by: randombadger69 on June 02, 2014, 01:24:54 PM
I use blue coolant. The red stuff seems more corrosive from personal experience.
Title: Re: G13 coolant safe to use?
Post by: OCDmatt on June 02, 2014, 04:10:04 PM
I'd say use it. VW coolant has always remained primarily the same.

The last I heard about changes in the coolant is just for newer engines and relates to emissions control and engine warming that is a lot closer monitored on mk7 Golf's (the platform everything VW test's on)

Blue coolant is a certain no in VW engines, blue coolant eats VW aluminium heads massively, the pink coolant is made to prevent this. You are also meant to use de-ionised water with VW pink coolant :)

I've always like VW coolant, anything else I picked up in a rush from GSF/ECP or similar never seemed to keep a constant temp in my Golf like VW's did
Title: Re: G13 coolant safe to use?
Post by: hayesey on June 02, 2014, 04:26:22 PM
You can't mix g11 & g12.  g12+ could mix with either, I think the same goes for g13.  I'd have no worries using it.

g11 is what they originally came with, I think that was a blue colour.
Title: Re: G13 coolant safe to use?
Post by: Robin on June 02, 2014, 04:54:26 PM
It's fine to use - I have used G13 for years now.
Title: Re: G13 coolant safe to use?
Post by: Yoof on June 02, 2014, 07:27:42 PM
Quote from: Robin on June 02, 2014, 04:54:26 PM
It's fine to use - I have used G13 for years now.

About the last 4 years?  ;)
Title: Re: G13 coolant safe to use?
Post by: rml2711 on June 02, 2014, 09:23:44 PM
Thanks for the help folks. Balance of  opinion seems to be that G13 will be fine as long as it's not mixed with G11 (original fill) which hasn't been available for several years now.
The big concern was based on use of OAT coolants in older engines which was said to cause corrosion in yellow metals (brass/copper) , to the best of my knowledge there isn't any in a PY engine....but lots of aluminium which is protected by the G13.
Title: Re: G13 coolant safe to use?
Post by: Jacque on June 03, 2014, 10:58:47 AM
always used blue G11...
Title: Re: G13 coolant safe to use?
Post by: Jezza-7 on June 03, 2014, 06:23:39 PM
I've been using G13 for a while as well. Its pink in colour and has been fine for me.