I've been told by some of the best German repair shops, and parts sources
here in the Detroit area that
http://www.eurosportacc.com/pentosin_longtime_lifetime_antifreeze_coolant.ht
m

Pentosin Red - Lifetime coolant is the best to use, along with some Red-line
water wetter.
http://www.redlineoil.com/products_coolant.asp?subCategoryID=4&coolantFlash=
1

However the cost at $15 for 1.5 L is high... If the typical Vanagon 2.1l
cooling system capacity is 16.7 L, it would take 6 bottles or about $85 for
the coolant change.  When compared to some typical phosphate free off the
shelf coolants a flush and fill would run about $25.  So, is it worth the
$60 extra for Pentosin???  Esp. if the system is new e.g. new lines,
radiator, water pump etc.

Or is it a better practice to just flush and fill every two years with a
good phosphate free coolant?

Jack R.
84 Westy Wolfie w/2.1L WBX
N. of Detroit

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Scott Daniel - Turbovans
Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2008 2:08 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: G12 Coolant

I hope it works out just fine.
Sitting 9 years.
Does it run ?   I sure hope it's OK.
what I have seen pretty much though.............is most used waterboxer
engines need new head gaskets at least.
Heck, I'd be afraid to put something 'too exotic' in it even !
But maybe it'll be just fine. Another vanagon saved - glad to hear that !
Scott

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jason Brand" <kitambi@EPICSOL.ORG>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, October 17, 2008 7:50 PM
Subject: Re: G12 Coolant

> G12 is VW OEM antifreeze, the successor to G11 which was used from the
> beginning of time to 1997.  I don't use non-OEM antifreeze in any of my
> vehicles.  I was only asking because G11 is hard to find anymore, and
> generally special order only.  Yes, I do plan to flush this system
> thoroughly,
> seeing as that the van has been sitting since 1999.
>
> On Fri, Oct 17, 2008 at 01:58:44PM -0700, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
>> why go asking for problems with a non-compatible anti-freeze when
>> any decent quality anti-freeze, mixed 50/50 with clean water and perhaps
>> an
>> additive or two.........
>> and used with awareness and regular changing works absolutely perfectly
>> ??
>>
>> .
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Allan Streib" <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Friday, October 17, 2008 1:25 PM
>> Subject: Re: G12 Coolant
>>
>>
>>> "Chris S" <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM> said:
>>>
>>>> I thought all phosphate-free coolant was OK to use?
>>>
>>> I think more important than anything "bad" about G12 itself is that it
>>> reportedly does NOT mix well with anything else blue or green.
>>>
>>> You need to flush out the system well if that's not what was in there to
>>> start with.
>>>
>>> Allan
>>> --
>>> 1991 Vanagon GL