Radiator Coolant Flush

[yellowplum]

I have currently serviced the car, but neither the VW Maintenance Manual nor my endless searching online has revealing the location of the radiator drain valve.

Could someone shed some light on where/how to drain the coolant?

[Cuprabob]

You normally just remove the bottom hose off the radiator.

[yellowplum]

i thought there was a bleed valve? Also how often do you do it?

[Cuprabob]

VW don't give a schedule to change as it's supposed last the life of the car. It's really up to you how often you want to change it, if at all. I would say every 4 years or so.

If there is a bleed valve it will be near the top of the system to allow air to escape and won't be low enough to drain from. As far as I know lowest point os bottom radiator hose.

[yellowplum]

A quick call to VW said the same, but they also said that how to drain is in the Maintenance book that I have from Erwin, low and behold I have just checked and it doesn't refer to flushing the system only topping up. I will give them a call again in the morning and see what they have to say for themselves.

[salsajoe]

A quick call to VW said the same, but they also said that how to drain is in the Maintenance book that I have from Erwin, low and behold I have just checked and it doesn't refer to flushing the system only topping up. I will give them a call again in the morning and see what they have to say for themselves.

What did they say?

I would not normally change the coolant unless I had to do so for another reason/repair or contamination. It is long life and should only require testing for strength if it has had to be topped up. VW handbook says only use distilled water for topping up.

[Cuprabob]

On the rare occasion I've had to top up the coolant, I use a 50/50 mix of distilled water and G12++ or G13.

[Jaystarx]

did you find out where the bleed valve was?

[yellowplum]

No bleed valve, you have to take the hose off on this car. I did get the guide from VW, see if I can dig it out and post it up tomorrow.