All,

I'm not sure what coolant is currently in my radiator.  Should I flush it
and replace w/the recommended ones below, or add these as needed over
time?  If I need to flush it, is this an easy process?  Does anyone out
there have any tips before I start?

Thanks,
Ivan

On Wed, 16 Jul 1997, Jim Thompson wrote:

> Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 12:57:35 -0500
> From: Jim Thompson <uvx196@juno.com>
> To: Multiple recipients of list <vanagon@lenti.med.umn.edu>
> Subject: Re: What coolants are ok?
>
> Brands of Phosphate-Free Coolant I've run across while on the list
> include:
>
> Autobahn - This is the factory stuff.  It's also the most expensive too
> ($11 to $12 per gal., maybe more).
>
> Sierra - One of the first Phosphate-Free Coolants to hit the aftermarket.
>
> Zerex Extreme - This one's been a little hard to find.
>
> Prestone 4/60 - Discontinued and superseded to a newer label called
> Prestone 5/100
>
> In a recent engine swap, I went ahead and used the Prestone 5/100
> purchased at Wal-Mart.  About $7 per gal.  Recommended by a long-time
> Water Cooled only Ve-dub mechanic I've known for over 20 years and I
> usually follow his advice when I get stumped on something or other.
>
> There was one posting recently from a listee claiming to use regular
> Prestone for quite a awhile in their Wasser with no apparent ill effects.
>  In society, there will always be a few risk-taking non-conformists out
> there.  That's what makes life so great, right?  Well, more power to them
> too.
>
> Jim
> 84 Westy 2.1
> 62 Beetle (Father was original owner)
> 90 Fox Wagon
> Sherwood Automotive * The Old Volks Home (oldvolkshome1@juno.com) (916)
> 221-5342
>
> On Wed, 16 Jul 1997 07:26:58 -0500 Byron Spears <bspears@erols.com>
> writes:
> >Hi!
> >
> >Someone a couple of days ago asked what brands of coolant are cool for
> >Vanagons ("phosphate-free").  If anyone answered, I missed it.
> >
> >Yesterday I went to K-Mart and looked at Prestone (that's all they
> >had!).  I remember reading a month or two ago that someone was going
> >strong with Prestone.  Prestone was kind enough to list their
> >ingredients:  ethelyne glycol, water, and "proprietary" additives.
> >Period.  No "phosphate-free" marker on the jug. . . .  No hint at the
> >formulation of their "proprietary" stuff.
> >
> >I have been running on h2o alone for a month or two, since I burst a
> >hose during a creeping commute to the nation's capital.  Replacing the
> >coolant will be my first serious task on my new '87 GL.  I have the
> >Bentley manual. . . .
> >
> >Advice?  Ideas?  Thanks!!!
> >
> >
> >Byron Spears
> >Clinton, Maryland
> >'87 GL Weekender
> >no name yet
> >
>