I agree with Steve.  VW recommends its own coolant formulation for 
several reasons and since this is a known weakness of waterleakers,
the extra few dollars seems like the best insurance available.
It's a little hard to find and is about $15/gallon.

Cheers, Tom Neal  with two cycles of head leaks.

On Sat, 3 Jul 1999, Steven Johnson wrote:

> Well, I've always used the VW Autobaun coolant.  After 130,828 miles,
> I just got my first head leak.  Not too bad.  Better than average.
> I just don't trust the other stuff...
> 
> At 07:48 AM 7/3/99 -0500, you wrote:
> >Hello to all of you!
> >My name is Jenifer and I live in Qu�bec (Canada). I bought, 3 months
> >ago, a Vanagon 84. I just love it!
> >
> >I was told to use coolant without phosphate in order to protect the head
> >gaskets against disintegration. I was also told to change the coolant
> >once a year. Is this true? Is there a better brand?
> >
> >Every answer will be very appreciated...As a co-owner of a VW air-cooled
> >shop, I reallllly don't know much about coolant!   ;0)
> >
> >Thanks and have a nice day!
> >Jenny ;0)
> >http://drive.to/westhaus
> >84 Vanagon
> >71 Sportsmobile
> >56 Transporteur
> >
> >
> Steven Johnson
> Sacramento, CA
> sjohnso@jps.net
>