Cooling System, Draining and Filling

Special tools, testers, measuring instruments and auxiliary items required
^ VAG 1306 Drip tray
^ Anti-freeze tester
^ VAG 1274/9 adaptor
^ Hose (42 mm diameter, length approx. 100 mm)
^ VAG 1331 Torque wrench: 5 to 50 Nm (3.7 to 37 ft. lbs.)

Draining
- Open cap on coolant expansion tank.
- Remove insulation tray





- Disconnect lower radiator hose clip -arrow- and remove hose.





- Unscrew coolant pump drain plug -arrow-.

Note: Observe all Local disposal regulations for engine coolant!

Filling

Notes:
^ Only use coolant additive G 12; Identification: red color
^ On no account must G 12 be mixed with other coolant additives!
^ If the fluid in expansion tank is brown, G 12 has been mixed with other coolant. In which case the coolant must be changed.
^ The cooling system must be filled year round with frost and corrosion protection additives. G 12 prevents scaling, frost and corrosion damage and also raises the boiling point of the coolant.
^ A higher boiling point improves engine reliability under heavy loading particularly in countries with tropical climates.
^ G 12 protects against frost to about -25°C (about -35°C in arctic climates).
^ The coolant concentration must not be reduced by adding water even in warmer seasons and in warmer countries. The antifreeze ratio must be 40% minimum,
^ If for climatic reasons greater frost protection is required, the amount of G 12 can be increased, but only up to 60% (frost protection to about -40°C), otherwise frost protection and cooling effectiveness will be reduced.
^ If the radiator heat exchanger, cylinder head or cylinder headgasket is replaced, completely replace the engine coolant.





Recommended mixture ratios

Work sequence
- Install lower radiator hose and secure.
- Replace 0-ring and install coolant pump drain plug.
^ Tightening torque: 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.)





- Screw VAG 1274/9 adapter onto expansion tank.
- Extend adapter with a piece of hose (diameter 42 mm, length -a- approx. 100 mm).





- Loosen coolant hose on heat exchanger and pull back hose sufficiently so that the bleed hole -arrow- is no longer sealed by the connection.
- Top up coolant until it flows out of the coolant hose bleed hole.
- Push coolant hose on connection and tighten.
- Install coolant expansion tank cap.
- Set heater controls to maximum heat position.
- Start engine and maintain an engine speed of about 2000 rpm for approx. 3 minutes.
- Allow engine to idle until the lower radiator hose becomes hot.
- Check coolant level and top-up if necessary.
^ When the engine is at normal operating temperature, the coolant level must be on the max. mark, when the engine is cold, between the min. and max. marks.