Coolant

I think you ought to try and find a handbook for your car which will cover all these basic maintenance points and have a diagram of what goes where.

Andy

Something like

There would probably have been a handbook with the car that should show you where the filling points etc. are for your exact car, the Haynes book above will be very general.

Definitely ... I have ordered a haynes manual which should cover all my basic queries. The car unfortunately didnt come with a handbook, but hopefully the haynes manual will cover all my basic needs.

Appreciate all the help I'm getting from here ... I know my simple questions probably are a bit annoying.

Makes a nice change from people picking on Renault (with good reason ;-).

It's good to see you taking an interest. Too many people don't think about anything at all between services...

I've always had an interest in cars just never had a car of my own. I guess theres no point having a car and not looking after it.

Also if I can save money on servicing a car and get to know the inner functions better then I'm game, all pretty interesting

What age is the Golf? If its been more than 4-5yrs on the coolant, a drain, flush and refill would be a far better idea.

Either use the VAG rcommeneded coolant, or a good quality MEG mixed at 50/50 with soft water.

The haynes manual will show you capacity and filling / bleeding points. Always fill slowly to minimise airlocks and after filling, run the engine at fast tick-over cap off upto running temperature, top up again then replace the cap.

Recheck the level the next morning and at least once more after another cycle.

Tim..

"Tim (remove obvious)" wrote in message news:dqtgl4$hd4$ snipped-for-privacy@nwrdmz01.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com...

the golf is a 2001 1.6 16v model

As yet I am unsure whether it needs a specific coolant.

Not sure if I have this right ... so basically you drain it, use a flushing solution? then refill slowly with cap off to engine temperature. top up again and then put the cap on (sorry to sound like a parrot)

As I dont know can you tell me why I need to run the engine with the cap off ? wouldn't I fill it put the cap back on ? or does leaving the cap off have a specific purpose I'm guessing ?

Tim means fill it slowly and replace the cap. Run it up to temperature with a run around the block. Let it cool and check the level again. Almost certainly it will need a bit extra. A good idea is to make up a mix of 50:50 water/antifreeze for topping up purposes.

Andy

ahhh ok. Got it :-)

Visual check, usually levels marked on the expansin tank.

Depends what's in there already, if its fairly new, and you are sure it has had the right stuff put in, at the right concentration, then simply top up with suitable coolant (ask the dealer) mixed 50/50.

If its getting on a bit, then you probably wont have a clue what's in there already, in this case its better to completely drain, flush and start from fresh. The previous owner may have put straight water in, leaving a weak solution, or may have put the wrong type of antifreeze in.

If I can avoid it, I never use tap water in radiators, except for flushing. Distilled water is very cheap. Mixed 50/50 with concentrated coolant, it gives a mixture less conducive to eventual problems with corrosion.

John

Golfs are filled with proper VW coolant. Have been for years (both my MK2s are). Go down the dealer or GSF and buy some. Cheaper at GSF and ECP.

ok.

I think I found the first one that

What the other bloke said. The coolant tank should be marked with what coolant is required. Mine says "G11" next to it - the VW coolant goes up in numerical order, I think G12+ is the latest.