Draining off and topping up coolant — AUDI

Special tools and workshop equipment required

Drip tray V.A.G 1306

Refractometer T10007

Draining off

Note:

Coolant drained off must be collected in a clean container for

disposal/re-use.

Attention:
Hot vapour/hot coolant may escape when opening expansion tank. Cover cap with cloth and open carefully.
Unscrew cap of coolant expansion tank.

Audi 100:

Unclip air grille at bottom right of bumper -arrows-.

Audi S6:

Detach air grille after pulling off retainer tabs -arrows-.

All models:

Detach noise insulation -arrows-.

Position drip tray V.A.G 1306 beneath engine.
Turn drain plug -arrow- at radiator anti-clockwise; attach test hose to connection if necessary.

Detach coolant hose -1- at coolant collecting pipe and radiator. Lay coolant hose aside.
Remove air hose -2-.

Unscrew connection -arrows- to drain off remaining coolant.
Detach O-ring and thermostat. Allow remaining coolant to drain off.

Filling

Notes:

The cooling system is filled all year round with a mixture of water and radiator anti-freeze/anti-corrosion agent.
Exclusive use is to be made as coolant additive of G12+ as per TL VW 774 F. Other coolant additives could considerably impair anti-corrosion action in particular. The resultant damage could lead to loss of coolant and consequently to serious engine damage.
Coolant additive G12+ can be mixed with additives G11 and G12.
G12+ and coolant additives marked "meeting specification TL VW 774 F" prevent frost and corrosion damage, stop scale forming and at the same time also increase the boiling point. The cooling system must therefore be filled all year round with anti-freeze and anti-corrosion additive.

On account of the higher boiling point, the coolant helps to enhance engine reliability under heavy loads particularly in countries with tropical climates.
Frost protection must be guaranteed to around -25 °C (in countries with arctic climate to around -35 °C).
The coolant concentration must not be reduced by adding water even in warmer seasons and in warmer countries. The anti-freeze ratio must be at least 40 %.
If greater frost protection is required in very cold climates, the amount of G12+ can be increased, however only up to 60 % (giving frost protection to around -40 °C) as otherwise frost protection decreases again and cooling efficiency is also impaired.
Exclusive use is to be made of clean drinking water for mixing coolant.
Old coolant is not to be re-used following replacement of radiator, heat exchanger, cylinder head or cylinder head gasket.
For checking anti-freeze protection in cooling system, use must be made for coolant additive G12+ of the special tool T10007.

Recommended mixing ratios:

Frost protection to · Anti-freeze concentration · G12+ 1) · Water 1)
-25 °C / -35 °C · 40 % / 50 % · 3.6 l / 4.5 l · 5.4 l / 4.5 l

1)
Coolant quantity 9.0 litres; may vary depending on vehicle equipment.

Fit thermostat with new O-ring => Page
19-17
.
Fit air hose.
Fit and secure coolant hoses.

Close drain plug at radiator.
Pour in coolant as far as max. mark on expansion tank.
Seal expansion tank.
Start engine.
Run engine until it reaches operating temperature (coolant temperature gauge reading approx. 80 °C).

Attention:
Hot vapour/hot coolant may escape when opening expansion tank. Cover cap with cloth and open carefully.
Check coolant level and top up coolant if necessary. Coolant level must be on max. mark with warm engine and between min. and max. mark with cold engine.
Switch off engine.

Tightening torques

Component · Nm
Clamps for coolant hoses · 2
Clamps for air hoses · 3.5