The statement that ..."most coolant manufacturers have
simply opted to go phosphate free" is a dangerous
assumption. When I went to get coolant for my newly
purchased Vanagon (89) - at Pep Boys, a major chain,
they had three brands. Two of the three had Phosphate,
and the parts guy didn't know anything about coolant -
only by reading the label can one BE SURE....

Tony

--- John Rodgers <jhrodgers@CHARTER.NET> wrote:
> 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

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