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can i add water to my coolant?

49K views 17 replies 13 participants last post by  koidragon1980  
#1 ·
Its only about 1/2 inch low below the MIN line....i cant find the orange coolant locally today, can i add water?
ps do auto parts stores usually have this coolant? iu didnt see any orange anywhere..whats it called?
 
#2 ·
lol the coolant name is on the expansion tank and its called G12.. its color its pink. I had the same thing happening when my coolant tank was cracked changed it to a new one added water and just waiting to do the whole flush. I don't think it hurts but your coolant color should be pink.
 
#3 ·
Orange? Unless you're sure what coolant is in there, you should top it up with water (distilled, preferably) until you can flush the system and refill with the approved G12. Not a bad idea to do every several years, anyway. Mixing VW G12 coolant with anything else is the automotive equivalent of "crossing the streams".
 
#8 ·
Yeah I was being a bit of a smartass but really, he lives in Rhode Island. How will we know exactly where he can buy G12? He can search too, because "Where can I buy G12" threads come up a lot..
OP I find it about $27 dollars a bottle at the dealer (CDN). For how often you need to replace the coolant this isn't bad.
 
#12 ·
Dang. Just bought 1.5l of g12++ (backwards compatible and mixable with g12) for $20 today. Couldn't wait to have it ordered. I hear that a Napa in CT carries the OEM gallon size for like $30.
 
#18 ·
like the others said... G12 or water works. just make sure to never top it off with the green stuff. it doesn't mix well with G12 and will likely begin to clog important components or ruin seals.

if you're coolant is looking more orange/brown than pink, then it's likely very old and in need of a good flush/change. top it off with water for now and plan on getting a coolant flush with fresh G12 in the near future.