My coolant warning popped up so I checked the reserve and it's completely empty. Last week in Minneapolis the temp stayed below -5°F for most of the week (getting down to -20°F most nights) and my car hasn't been happy.

I need to add coolant now.

Am I safe adding the generic $10 Prestone 50/50 until I can get to the dealership this week?

 

not unless you want to flush the system once you get the G12 coolant from the dealer.

 

From what I've seen online it's a HUGE no no to put anything but the G12 stuff in there - and from what I've been reading it's damn near impossible to find.

Fellas, since having my timing belt and water pump changed (just under 8 weeks ago) to the tune or $775 I have had TONS of issues:

Head light and tail lights going out, blown ignition coil, NO heat unless I am revving the engine if the outside temp is below 15° (I live in MN and it gets COLD), coolant is completely empty now - probably a leak that got worse with the cold weather, my sun roof is randomly tilting open, I cannot drive for more than about 3 hours w/o the MIL coming on (this last time it was a NOX sensor issue that the dealership cleared out saying it was probably nothing)

These are the issues since the change (not over the last year) - it feels like a LOT of issues in less than 8 weeks. It is pretty disgusting that I was happy when I didn't have to talk to the service department two weeks ago. I am in so frequently my guy knows me by my first name when I call in "Hey it's Grant" is good enough for him to know who he is talking to.

I've had nothing but issues with this car since I bought it and have concluded that instead of buying a used one I could have leased a new one and not dealt with this ****, had a nicer car and wouldn't be out any more money! *Sigh* I am pretty frustrated with this whole thing. I love how the car's features, handling and looks, but this is outrageous. I can't afford to keep throwing good money after bad into a depreciating car. What's a guy to do?

 

the ignition coils go out often, good thing they are cheap and easy to do. there is a way to fix the sunroof problem, search for it. your coolant is either leaking, or the person who did the belt didnt fill it up properly. when the heater doesnt work its because the coolant is low and not pressurizing. its not impossible to find G12, you can get it at any audi or vw dealer.

who did the timing belt?? if you didnt have coolant problems before that it seems like they may not have put it back together correctly.

 

I have the same issue (coolant leak) with my 03 1.8t.

I am NOT going to spend money on the dealership coolant until I fix leak.

Currently using 50/50, so far OK...

 

how much is 50/50? G12 is 22 for a gallon of 100%, so its 11 for 50/50. dont think prestone is cheaper than that.

 

I had a coolant leak also..it was some stupid little plastic flange...the part was only 15 bucks but the labor was expensive....do we have to dilute the coolant we add?

 

the G12 comes in 100% coolant so you are supposed to mix it, usually at 50/50. it can be up to 70/30 if you need to go to like -50 degrees. it says on the jugs.

the flange is the most likely cause. my thermostat cracked and broke too, so thats another thing to look at.

 

If you're going to do a 50/50 mix of coolant and water, buy a gallon of distilled water. You want to keep contaminants out of the cooling system.

FYI, a Blauparts TB kit comes with coolant.

 

This is what I found too.

Go buy a gallon of distilled water, fill it 1/2 way and drive to the dealership. They will fill you up for nothing and then just monitor your level. Mine has been good. It must have been a bubble from the timing belt change.