Re: how to change coolant

[Chuck Van Pelt <cvanpelt@aracnet.com>]

True, Billy, true. I have, however, found evidence on the net that antifreeze is
sweet and that they actually add bittering agents, in some cases, to make it less
patatable.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?db=m&form=6&uid=8540219&Dopt=r

I hate to say "I told you so", but...;-)

Chuck

"Billy T." wrote:

> Yeah, cats like the stuff.  I have had cats drink it and die before.  I also
> watched my cat eat a big piece of Broccoli...  So just cause the cat drinks it,
> doesn't mean it is sweet;)
>
> Chuck Van Pelt wrote:
>
> > Haven't you ever had a vodka and ethylene glycol on the rocks? Good stuff. ;-)
> > Actually I thought it was common knowledge that coolant was sweet tasting and
> > should, therefore, never be left out where pets can get at it. I have never
> > actually tested this theory, mind you...
> >
> > At least I know you read my entire email...
> >
> > Chuck
> >
> > Zab Biason wrote:
> >
> > > My question is how do you know how coolant tastes like.
> > >
> > > Zab
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: owner-jettaglx@igtc.com [mailto:owner-jettaglx@igtc.com]On Behalf
> > > Of Chuck Van Pelt
> > > Sent: Tuesday, March 14, 2000 9:42 AM
> > > To: jettaglx@igtc.com
> > > Subject: Re: how to change coolant
> > >
> > > Peter,
> > >
> > > What a timely question...I just changed my coolant this weekend in my 95
> > > GLX. Here's what I learned:
> > >
> > > DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a mechanic, but I do own a copy of the Bentley manual
> > > for my car and consider myself to be a reasonably machanically capable
> > > person.
> > >
> > > What I used: Auto ramps, new VW approved coolant (which you have), lots of
> > > distilled water (you can get this at just about any grocery store), nearby
> > > hose & water supply, tools.
> > >
> > > The Bentley manual says there is a drain plug in the tube that runs from
> > > the water pump to the thermostat housing. I couldn't find this to save my
> > > life. I drained mine from the lower radiator hose.
> > >
> > > I drove my car up on ramps (set e-brake and chocked wheels) and
> > > disconnected the hose running into the bottom of the radiator. There is a
> > > single compression clamp holding it on. Squeeze open the clamp with pliers
> > > and pull it off. Be sure to have a large (10+ quarts) container underneath
> > > to catch the waterfall. Also, be sure to turn the heat in the passenger
> > > cabin all the way to the "hot" position. This allows coolant to drain from
> > > the heater core. Also, take the cap off of the coolant reservoir, otherwise
> > > a vaccuum will form and the coolant will come out slowly or not at all.
> > >
> > > Once the coolant has all drained, you can flush the system. It is a bad
> > > thing to let coolant wash onto the ground...I let the coolant drain for
> > > awhile before I flushed so very little was left. I then put distilled in
> > > the coolant reservoir and began to refill the system without hooking the
> > > bottom hose back up. I then started the car and continued to pour distilled
> > > water "through" the engine to rinse out the gunk. Be sure to keep the water
> > > flowing so you don't overheat your engine. If you end up getting raw
> > > coolant on the ground, use your garden hose and rinse with LOTS of water.
> > > The idea is to dilute the coolant so the neighborhood pets don't drink it.
> > >
> > > Let the engine pump out the last of the distilled water...keep in mind the
> > > there is actually a bit left in the heater core that the water pump won't
> > > be able to pump out when the water level get's low. Turn off your car AS
> > > SOON AS the coolant reservoir empties. Hook the radiator hose back up and
> > > clamp into place. Pour your coolant mix into the coolant reservoir slowly
> > > to allow air bubbles to escape. Once the reservoir is mostly full, I
> > > started the car to begin to circulate the new coolant and force out the air
> > > bubbles.
> > >
> > > A note on coolant mixing: You can mix your coolant outside the car, or pour
> > > each part (coolant and distilled water) into the coolant reservoir
> > > seperately. The idea is to make sure you have a 50/50 mixture, or whatever
> > > the coolant bottle specifies. Cooler climates might need a higher ratio of
> > > antifreeze to prevent freezing in the winter.
> > >
> > > If you put in too much water or coolant, here's a trick for fixing the
> > > ratio without taking off the drain hose again: There is a recirculation
> > > hose going back into the top of the coolant reservoir. Pull off this
> > > connector and put it into a jar or other container that you have handy.
> > > Have a buddy start the car and the coolant will start a-flowin'. Once you
> > > have drained off some of the wrongly mixed coolant, replace it with either
> > > straight coolant or straight distilled water (depending on the ration you
> > > are trying to acheive).
> > >
> > > Here's a bit of trivia for you...I understand that water is actually a
> > > better conductor of heat than ethylene glycol coolant. (OK, so newer VW's
> > > don't use ethylene glycol coolant, but I digress...) Technically, a
> > > radiator full of straight water would better conduct heat away from the
> > > engine, but water has the unfortunate tendency to freeze in the winter and
> > > crack engine blocks. "Coolant" is added to reduce the freezing temperature
> > > of the water below what even the worst New England winter can throw at you.
> > >
> > > As far as where to take the coolant, mine is still in the sealed container
> > > in my storage space. I believe you can take it to any quick oil change
> > > place and they will dispose of it for you. (Maybe a small fee involved?) I
> > > will be taking mine next weekend. Whatever you do, don't leave coolant
> > > around in an uncovered container as it is very poisonous and it tastes
> > > sweet so children and pets may be tempted to drink it.
> > >
> > > Hope this helps!
> > >
> > > Chuck Van Pelt
> > >
> > > Peter Ziobrzynski wrote:
> > >
> > > > Can somebody outline the procedure for changing the coolant in 97 Jetta
> > > > GLX?
> > > >
> > > > I got one gallon of G12 from the VW dealer. I read the instructions on
> > > > the container and understand I have to mix it 60/40 with distilled
> > > > water. The main questions are:
> > > >
> > > > - where to dispose of the old coolant?
> > > > - where is the drain plug?
> > > > - where to buy distilled water?
> > > >
> > > > cheers...
> > > > --
> > > > Peter Ziobrzynski, mailto:pzi@pzi.net