Halfords Ready Mixed Coolant

[waveydavey]

I guess nobody knows if this Halfrauds stuff is compatible with G12+ then.

As it happens I've just been down to Teesside Audi and got two 1.5l containers full of G12+ and the total cost inc vat was £12.57. If I decide to go for a 50:50 mix this means I get six litres of G12+ coolant much cheaper tha the Halfords stuff which was £16.99 for 5 litres ready mixed. What a result.

Also got a litre of G002000 PS fluid for £7.63 inc vat. I'm gonna change my PS fluid to see if I can quieten my chattering PS pump and stop the occasional intermittent (!) beep on the autocheck.

[RS2.pt]

What's the difference with all these fluids? Am I doing potential harm by not using the official Audi pink/green stuff? Scared now...

Hi
I have the same question know. I have to change my electric auxiliar pump and so I will change (drain) all the coolant. Since audi only had coolant to mix with regular watter (?) I thought that it could be better to buy an already mixed one. Toke 2 cans from hipermarket from Elf... 2x5L.
I thought that wold be so critical as chosing an oil. I assumed because if not, audi itself woldnt sold the 1L to mix with watter. since watter qaulity could change in many forms...

by the way any ideia where I can drain all the coolant from engine??

[Pete_RS2]

As the G12+ is so cheap why risk using something else which may or may not be compatible ? It's even cheaper at GSF - only £3.85+VAT per 1.5l bottle.

When I bought mine there the guy said the Audi stealer across the road was buying it from him as they had run out.

I drained my coolant by removing the lower rad hose & one of the bulkhead heater hoses. This seemed to get rid of most of it.

BTW you don't need to drain the coolant to change the after-run pump. You can just clamp the hoses with a brake hose clamp or similar.

[RS2.pt]

Hi
The issue is that here in Portugal I was a bit afraid to make wrong water mix (wo do I know if my home water has more or less chimicals then other) with the only coolant that audi dealer sells here - the one to mix, also as they told o be aware so dont mix to much I thought it will be better to buy some other already mixed.
I bought the most expensive on the sheels, came with this ELF one. later at home I will se teh specs. I think is green color if that meants anything.

anyway I can always return since I didnt opened the boxes.

so where I will find that G12+ ? is that a reference or a brand?

thanx

As the G12+ is so cheap why risk using something else which may or may not be compatible ? It's even cheaper at GSF - only £3.85+VAT per 1.5l bottle.

When I bought mine there the guy said the Audi stealer across the road was buying it from him as they had run out.

I drained my coolant by removing the lower rad hose & one of the bulkhead heater hoses. This seemed to get rid of most of it.

BTW you don't need to drain the coolant to change the after-run pump. You can just clamp the hoses with a brake hose clamp or similar.

[RS2.pt]

Hi again
some google and found info about it.
G12+ explained ;-)

"G12 Plus Coolant Additive

VW Part Number: G 012 A8F A1
Mat. Number: G 012 A8F 01

Comes in a bottle that holds 1500ml (50oz), as shown by the graduations on
the side.
Has VW, SEAT, Skoda and Audi logos on the top of the label.

Rear label states (in a number of languages) - yes it says filled-for-live.

GB: Suitable as a "filled-for-live" solution for all types of engines
G12 Plus can be mixed with the products G11 and G12. The product should be
used all-year-round to provide the necessary protection against frost,
overheating, corrosion and calcium deposits. Use according to instructions
only.

Harmful if swallowed. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with skin
and eyes. If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show this
container or label.

There are also mixing instructions, according to expected temperature.
For temperatures down to -24°C (-11°F) Mix two parts of G12 Plus to three
parts water (this is what I've used)
For temperatures down to -36°C (-32°F) Mix one part of G12 Plus to one part
"

[faaaaast]

If you're worried about water quality, use distilled water to mix your coolant with. I use this, because the water is VERY hard here on the Isle of Wight, and calcium deposits in the cooling system are not a good thing! Premix coolant of the type sold at Halfords will use either distilled or DI water. This may explain the extra premium you are paying for it. The pink Halfords premix has exactly the same VW approval as G12+ from memory...

BTW, what's the best method of backflushing crap out of these cooling systems if previous owners have been less than fastidious? Is there a coolant drain plug on the bottom of the block on these?

Cheers,
James

[PeteRR]

BTW, what's the best method of backflushing crap out of these cooling systems if previous owners have been less than fastidious? Is there a coolant drain plug on the bottom of the block on these?

Cheers,
James

No drain plug unfortunately. The only way really is to remove the Thermostat (best to replace it with a new one anyway), bit of a ball ache but then you can flush out the block properly. I also remove a heater hose and flush that through with the hose too.