[s-cars] antifreeze/coolant color

[Gabriel Caldwell]

*hands thrown up*

Gabriel Caldwell


-----Original Message-----
From: kirbyasmith [mailto:kirbyasmith at gwi.net] 
Sent: November 24, 2004 4:08 PM
To: Gabriel Caldwell
Cc: stefan13 at att.net; s-car-list at audifans.com
Subject: Re: [s-cars] antifreeze/coolant color

Gabriel:

What if there is no sludge now because the engine _was_ thoroughly 
flushed, and replacing the present stuff using a less thorough flush 
ends up creating sludge?  I don't see that your advice actually errs on 
the side of caution without you adding directions for what actions you 
expect for "thorough" flushing.  Also, I imagine that if the mechanic 
just topped off the coolant with the wrong stuff, you would see the 
result in the coolant tank very quickly.

What all this boils down to is that performing thorough flushing now 
will remove any risk of previous inadequate flushing.  The actual 
antifreeze used is less consequential in the short term.  If there is no

sludge now, then there is no need to change the coolant before the 
mechanic returns.  I guess Stefan needs to evaluate his mechanic's 
capabilities.  Does this mechanic normally work on Audis?  VWs?  German 
cars?  Or was he a monkey lad working a bay in a gas station?  Do we 
imagine the latter would have successfully completed a timing belt 
install?

Is it possible the mechanic actually prefers the green stuff and made 
the change deliberately?  Do we know that green stuff sludges with blue 
stuff?  IIRC, it was the pink/orange stuff that didn't mix well, and 
certain aftermarket water wetters.  Also, I wonder if sludge production 
wouldn't already have completed, if it were possible to occur.  What 
does "thorough" mean if sludging has already occurred?

kirby


Gabriel Caldwell wrote:
> I would always err on the side of caution.  You have no clue what's in
> the car and some antifreezes can react together creating sludge.
Flush
> it and fill it with what was in there before.  If it turns out that
the
> green/yellow (?) stuff was OK then you are out what $20?  That's way
> better than clogged up cooling passages IMHO.
> 
> Gabriel Caldwell
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: kirbyasmith [mailto:kirbyasmith at gwi.net] 
> Sent: November 24, 2004 10:39 AM
> To: Gabriel Caldwell
> Cc: stefan13 at att.net; s-car-list at audifans.com
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] antifreeze/coolant color
> 
> Well, looks like a debate is inevitable.   :)
> 
> My mechanic, whom many of you have utilized in various ways, believes 
> that the green VAG stuff is less corrosive than the pink VAG stuff 
> (which came with my S6).  I can't comment on blue stuff.
> 
> In any case, if Stefan's mechanic is even remotely competent, he
didn't 
> put in anything inimical to the engine.  Whether it is optimal is 
> another question.  So, flushing it before communicating with the 
> mechanic strikes me as an action figuratively lying between overkill
and
> 
> shooting oneself in the foot.
> 
> kirby
> 
> 
> Gabriel Caldwell wrote:
> 
>>Definitely get it flushed since you don't know what it is.
>>
>>Gabriel Caldwell
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: stefan13 at att.net [mailto:stefan13 at att.net] 
>>Sent: November 24, 2004 8:55 AM
>>To: s-car-list at audifans.com
>>Subject: [s-cars] antifreeze/coolant color
>>
>>My intention is not to start a debate over this.  However, during the
>>recent timing belt install, the tech put in the green/yelllow stuff of
>>unknown origin (he is now on vacation).  I know the official correct
>>color is blue.  Do I have to insist on having this stuff flushed out,
> 
> or
> 
>>can I leave well enough alone.
>>
>>Thanks
>>Stefan
>>
>>P.S.  I had the thermostat and the temperature sensor replaced - water
>>temp gauge now reads normal again.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>