I have been using orange (Dexcool) since 1998 or 50000 miles with very
satisfactory results. I researched it as well as I could when I first needed
to flush my westy's cooling system and  non-phosphates coolants became an
issue. I came to the conclusion that it was appropriate, as long the system
was thoroughly flushed of other coolant types. The technical document
available indicated that it might even be more appropriate than the "blue
stuff" because of the anticorrosive qualities of the organics found in it.
There may have been some problems with this in the mid 90's when Dexcool
first appeared. I remember many traditional mechanics being very suspicious
of the "new fangled stuff" and many reports of "gumming things up". None of
these have been observed in the half dozen cars, including my westy that
have be orange since then. I think in the end I really went with the orange
stuff because of the "price of the coolant", it used to be very competively
priced at Kmart. I actually have a couple of cars using the yellow stuff
now, it seems to be the evolving solution. No pun intended.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Jim Henry
Durham, NC
84 westy

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]
> On Behalf Of Curt Newsome
> Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2006 12:31 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: blue vs green vs orange coolant
>
> 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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