Warren, that is pretty much true. So many engines these days are mostly
aluminum that most coolant manufacturer's have simply opted to go
phosphate free. You still must be careful that you read the label
however, to be sure it's phosphate free.

I use the orange colored Havoline Dexcool, which is phosphate free and
bio-degradable. In some reading I have done, I learned it's a good idea
to change these newer colants more frequently that the old glycol types.
The newer stuff breaks down sooner, so I flush the system and put in new
Dexcool once a year. Fairly cheap preventive maintenance.

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Warren Young wrote:
>
> hey now,
> If anyone can help with an answer, how important is the (Blue)
> phosphate free
> coolant in the 1988 Vanagon GL's? One expert told me to only put in
> the
> special (blue) mix and another said it does not matter all coolants
> are
> phosphate free nowadays. Hope you all can help me out thanks. Warren