My '85 Westy came with a new engine and mostly new
cooling system.  The PO made a point of showing me the
orange phosphate free coolant (including 2 extra
gallons under the back seat).  A month or two later
when I had the van in for an AT overhaul, the mechanic
doing the work freaked out over the orange coolant,
claiming it would "gum up" the cooling system and
insisting that I HAD to switch to blue (don't know the
brand, is there more than one?).  He felt so strongly
about it that after I protested that the orange
coolant was not only phosphate free but also brand
new, he offered to flush and replace at no labor cost
- just the price of the coolant.

Don't know if he just wanted to sell coolant or if he
really knew what he was talking aobut.  It's a pretty
reputable and well known shop.

I did end up taking him up on his offer, only because
I was unfamiliar with the orange as well......

Curt
'85 Westy
Seattle

--- Frank Condelli <RAlanen@AOL.COM> wrote:

> In a message dated 08/08/2006 10:45:52 P.M. Eastern
> Standard Time,
> LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
>
> What are  the pros and cons of blue vs green vs
> orange coolant?
>
> This is for a 91  syncro westy.  I know this has
> been discussed in the
> past, and that it  is important to use
> phosphate-free coolant with
> distilled water.  But  I'm still unclear about the
> colors.  Seems like
> most people recommend  the green coolant, but blue
> is maybe better
> though more  expensive?
>
> Recommendations on brands much appreciated.
>
>
>
>
> Where did you find green coloured coolant that is
> phosphate free ?  I have
> never seen any green coloured coolant in my neck  of
> the woods that is
> phosphate free.  So........therefore......green is a
>  no-no !  In my estimation ANY
> Phosphate free coolant is good.  Not  good to mix
> the colours as you may confuse
> the next mechanic looking at the  system but as long
> as your sure it's all
> phosphate free the colour mixing won't  change a
> thing in how it works.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Frank  Condelli
> Almonte, Ontario, Canada
> '87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg  (Forsale) &
> Lionel Trains
> Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa
> Valley
> _Frank Condelli  & Associates_
> (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
> _Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
> (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
> _BusFusion_
> (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW
> Camper
> camping event, Almonte, ON, June 07 ~ 10,  2007
>

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