Help - VW Polo 2002 - Radiator Water

**elliottlock** · 29-06-2010,08:46 PM

Hi,

I'm a bit of a n00b with cars so I'm looking for some assistance.

Today I looked at what I believe to be the radiator water. I took a picture of it below. Firstly am I correct in thinking this container is for the radiator water?

If so what colour is the water inside meant to be. Currently it's a transaprent red like colour. Is this correct?

Lastly it looks like the water requires topping up as its below the min marking. What water do I pour inside. Normal tap water? Or special water from a garage?

Cheers,

EL

**vwcabriolet1971** · 29-06-2010,09:35 PM

Coolant should be a transparent "pinky red" .You should top-up with 100% concentrated G12 coolant . If you keep topping up with water you'll dilute the mixture leading to less protection for the engine .You can get G12 coolant from GSF or VW .It's not that expensive and providing it's not diluted it doesn't need changing . If changing water pump or radiator , etc, G12 should be mixed with clean water in a 50% mixture.Use filtered water if you live in a hard water area.

**elliottlock** · 30-06-2010,01:32 PM

Is the following product okay to use then as coolant in my VW Polo 2002.

Click Here For Product

**Sam** · 30-06-2010,03:20 PM

Before you top up anything let the car cool and just release the cap on the expansion tank.

You may find that the level returns to above the minimum mark.

As for the Halfords coolant, presuming the car was last serviced by a main dealer/indy specialist, it'll already have G12 coolant in there. If it were me, I'd only add more of the same and not mix coolants.

GSF, ECP and most motorfactors will carry G12 coolant.

**elliottlock** · 30-06-2010,04:14 PM

I've looked everywhere for this G12 coolant but can't seem to find it anywhere.

Could you provide me with a link to a site(s) where I can view/buy it.

Thanks

**Sam** · 30-06-2010,04:38 PM

eBay - Hardly an ideal vendor but it gives you an idea.

If you do a coolant flush you can replace it with any coolant that meets or exceeds VW specifications.

Have a look at OpieOils for other coolants - they are an approved and trusted VWAF supporter.

All this depends on what coolant you have in there already and whether it needs topping up or not

**elliottlock** · 30-06-2010,05:43 PM

If I said I have no idea what coolant was in there nor the garage I last took it to for a service :P

Where would I go from there?

**vwcabriolet1971** · 30-06-2010,06:54 PM

Most garages would know that G12 coolant does not need to be changed . So assumption should be it's G12 . I'm not sure if there's any test to check it is G12 .

**Sam** · 01-07-2010,11:08 AM

Just to humour me, release the cap on the expansion tank making sure the engine is cool.

Have a look at the level then.

If it's still low, we'll go from there.