I know I sound like a broken record, but the blue stuff is $14.80 per gallon
at the dealer (I'm sure some dealers are higher, but overall), so there
isn't much of a price difference to the orange juice--a couple of dollars.
There certainly was a time when the blue stuff was $35/gallon, but that has
changed.
The orange juice (havoline) is also fine.  I don't know anything about pink
Autobahn for WBX engines--I believe that's for another VW engine, i.e. Golf
or Jetta or something like that.  I have had the dealer try to sell me the
wrong stuff before.
tx,
bmc  :)
"Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel...."

> From: Mary Beth and Chris Geiser <geiser@EXECPC.COM>
> Reply-To: Mary Beth and Chris Geiser <geiser@EXECPC.COM>
> Date: Fri, 23 Aug 2002 10:56:35 -0500
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: morons (red coolant)
>
> That pink stuff (is that the same as red?) seemed to leak past all my
> hose clamps in both my van and jetta when I had it in.... blue coolant,
> no more leaks...
> Chris
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
> Of Kenneth Wilford
> Sent: Friday, August 23, 2002 9:56 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: morons (red coolant)
>
> Just FYI but not too long ago my sister needed some red coolant for her
> '98
> Golf.  I found a supplier for this red coolant which is what VW puts in
> all
> of the new Jettas/Golfs.  It is supposed to be a lifetime coolant.  I
> have
> it for $8 a 1.5 liter bottle (VW dealer wants $15 a bottle).  It is
> called
> Pentosin.  Anyone have an opinion on this stuff for use in the Vanagon?
> It
> is Phosphate and Silicate free.
>
> Thanks,
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> http://www.vanagain.com
> Phone: (856)-327-4936
> Fax: (856)-327-2242
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
> Of The Old Volks Home
> Sent: Thursday, August 22, 2002 7:01 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: morons
>
>
> At 11:42 AM 8/22/02 -0400, SpaceKommander wrote:
>> He mentioned that you MUST use VW coolant as the sensors were
> calibrated
>> for it. He said even the Fuel Injection could be screwed up if I used
>> something else for coolant. Coolant/water ratio was also imporant.
>> Look, it's an extra $10.00 per gallon. How much do you use? An extra
> $10
>> per year seems a good investment if it just might help solve some of my
>> engine/cooling problems.
>> He said the Vanagons in Germany did not have the head gasket problems
> we
>> did. Is it cooling related? Cooldown after highway related? Whatever.
>> Trying to save $10 by buying green prestone or whatever seems like
> nonsense.
> ************************************
> I've been using Havoline Dex-Cool Phosphate-Free (the orange stuff) for
> over 5 years now (flushed and replaced about 2 years ago when my GERMAN
> water pump bearing gave up the ghost) without a single leak ANYWHERE.
> It's
> nice to be able to afford the extra $10 for the OE stuff (and you
> probably
> should use it as well), but the Dex-Cool is every bit as good as VW's
> IMHO.
> I've never had a sensor problem, either with the needle reading or the
> LED, at least related to Dex-Cool, it's always been with a low coolant
> reading or too little coolant verses the water ratio (remember, pre-mix
> at
> a 50-50 mix and you won't have problems with this).  You don't fill a
> Wasserboxer the way you do yer Chevy, like pouring in straight coolant
> first, then water.  My main factory VW mechanic set me straight by
> telling
> me to pre-mix it in 1 gallon jugs before pouring it in.  Works for me
> everytime.
>
> As per usual, I think the rep is blowin' smoke, but he's prolly tryin'
> to
> protect his backside as well.
>
> But stay away from the GREEN Prestone, it's not worth the $$$ you'll
> spend
> later on possible repairs.
>
>
> JIm
> 84 Westy 2.1
> "Ole Putt"
> 68 Beetle
> "Xavier"
> 73 Ghia Coupe
> "The Last Project"
> jimt@oldvolkshome.com
> jim96003@c-zone.net
> ***********
> **Need to find the right dizzy?
> http://www.oldvolkshome.com/ignition.htm
> OR
> http://www.oldvolkshome.com/ovhignbo.htm
> **Upgrade your 83.5-85 Vanagon to 2.1
> http://www.oldvolkshome.com/19to21.htm
> ***********
>