Coolant replacement

The coolant must be replaced after any work has been carried out on the elements of the cooling system with the coolant drained. If during the repair the cylinder head, cylinder head gasket, radiator or oil heat exchanger were replaced, it is necessary to fill in only fresh coolant. This is due to the fact that the anti-corrosion additive is deposited during the operation of the coolant and creates an anti-corrosion protection. In used coolant, anti-corrosion additives are less active in order to form a protective layer on newly installed parts.

Coolant drain

Warning: When opening the expansion tank cap on a hot engine, care must be taken as escaping vapors can cause severe burns. To do this, close the cap of the expansion tank with a thick layer of cloth and slowly unscrew the cap until a hissing sound is heard. After the hiss stops, slowly unscrew and remove the cap from the expansion tank.

1. Raise the front of the car and secure it on stands.

2. Remove the lower engine mudguard.

3. Install a suitable container under the radiator.

Diesel engines



1. Using a coin or wide blade screwdriver, unscrew the coolant drain plug from the radiator.


2. To drain the coolant more completely, remove the thermostat.

Four- and five-cylinder petrol engines



1. Using a coin or a wide blade screwdriver, unscrew the coolant drain plug from the radiator.



2. Disconnect the lower cooling hose from the radiator. To disconnect the hose, remove the retaining clip located on the side of the coupler, then disconnect the hose.



3. Remove the coolant drain plug located on the water pump and drain the coolant from the engine block. On the 1.6-I engine with the AHL code, due to the lack of a screw plug, it is necessary to unscrew the thermostat connection fitting.


Six-cylinder engines

1. Disconnect the lower radiator hose and drain the coolant into a container.



2. To drain the coolant from the engine block, unscrew the screw plug located on the lower left side of the engine block.

3. If the coolant is heavily contaminated, flush the cooling system. Since the coolant cannot be completely drained from the cooling system, it is recommended to flush the cooling system each time the coolant is drained.

Filling the cooling system

Before starting work, prepare the required amount of coolant from 50% water and 50% antifreeze with anti-corrosion additive G12.

Petrol engines other than five-cylinder

Connect the lower coolant hose to the radiator and secure the coupler with the retaining clips.

Five-cylinder engines, diesel engines

1. Screw in place the coolant drain plug from the radiator and tighten it to a torque of 10 Nm.

2. Screw the coolant drain plug with a new O-ring into the water pump housing and tighten to 30 Nm.

3. If the thermostat was removed, reinstall it.

Six-cylinder engines

1. Screw the coolant drain plug with a new O-ring into the water pump housing and tighten to 20 Nm.


2. Install the lower engine mudguard and lower the vehicle to the ground.

3. Move the temperature control of the heating system to the maximum temperature position.



4. Near the partition of the engine compartment, loosen the clamp of the coolant return hose from the heater radiator and move the hose from the fitting so that the fitting does not block the hole in the hose to remove air.

Six-cylinder engines

1. Unscrew the two plugs for removing air, located on the pipes of the cooling system near the expansion tank.



2. Instead of the expansion tank cap, screw in the threaded adapter VAG 1274/9 with a tube 42 mm in diameter and height (A) 100 mm. This is necessary in order to completely fill the engine cooling system with coolant and remove air from it. In the absence of a special device, you can make it yourself. Alternatively, you can unscrew the expansion tank from the bracket and raise it with the connected hoses by 10 cm and fix it in this position.


3. Fill the coolant into the expansion tank until coolant flows out through the bleed screw plugs. Screw the plugs in with a torque of 20 Nm.

4. Pour coolant into the cooling system until coolant flows out of the hole in the coolant return hose from the heater. Put the hose on the fitting until it stops and secure it with a clamp.

5. If the expansion tank was removed from the bracket, install it on the bracket. Remove the tool that was installed instead of the cap from the expansion tank and screw the cap onto the expansion tank.

6. Start the engine and hold it for 3 minutes at 2000 rpm.

7. Run the engine to idle until the lower radiator hose is warm, then turn off the engine.

8. Check the coolant level and top up if necessary.

9. On a hot engine, the coolant level should be at the max mark, and on a cold engine, it should be between the max and min marks.