TSB: New Coolant - all model years!!

[Jim Griffin <JGriff@pobox.com>]

Today I received a stack of TSBs in the mail, most of which are for the A4 and the A8. But, there is one that details a new coolant that Audi specifies is compatible for all models and model years. Below is what it says:

TSB Group 19 Number 96-01

A new coolant, G 012 A8D A1 is being used in production as of 08/96.

G 012 A8D A1 is red in color.

This newly developed product permits a cooling system fill that lasts the service life of the engine and was designed with all-aluminum engines in mind.

Advantages:

- Improved corrosion protection

- Improved thermal stability

- Improved heat transfer/control

- Improved hard water tolerance

- Improved environmental protection

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CAUTION!!!

G 012 18D A1 is the only coolant to be used in the Audi A8. Use of any other coolant will result in engine damage!!
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CAUTION!!!

G 012 A8D A1 must NEVER be mixed with ANY other coolant. Engine damage will result!!
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Contamination of G 012 A8D A1 with other colored coolants is identifiable by discoloration (brown, purple etc.).This mixture causes a foamy deposit to appear in the expansion tank/radiator.

THIS MIXTURE IS TO BE DRAINED IMMEDIATELY AND THE COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHED AS DESCRIBED ON THE NEXT PAGE.

Flushing procedure:

Engine at operating temperature (older vehicles with heater valve : heater on).

- Drain coolant - Repair Manual, General Engine, Repair Group 19

- Apply compressed air to expansion tank to blow out remaining coolant.

- Close cooling system, fill with distilled water.

- Run engine for a minimum of 2 minutes.

- Drain water and apply compressed air to expansion tank as before.

- Close cooling system and fill with appropriate mixture ratio of G 012 A8D A1 and distilled water - Repair Manual, General Engine, Repair Group 19

- Test drive, check coolant level and add if necessary.

NOTE:

G 012 A8D A1 COOLANT MAY BE USED IN OLDER VEHICLES WHEN THE ORIGINAL COOLANT IS DRAINED AND COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHED AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.

- Inform customer that a new coolant is used and that ONLY water or G 012 A8D A1 be used to replenish.

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CAUTION!!!

- Never reuse old coolant when performing engine repairs.

- Dispose of old coolant properly.
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FLUSHING AS SPECIFIED ABOVE, OR ENGINE DAMAGE RESULTING FROM THE USE OF A MIXTURE OF G 012 A8D A1 AND OTHER COOLANTS IS NOT COVERED BY THE NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY.

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CAUTION!!!

- Part numbers are for reference only. Always check with your Parts Dept. for the latest parts information.
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                             Jim Griffin
                      JGriff@pobox.com
                        Maryland, USA
"Perception is often stronger than reality!"
                               '92 100S
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