Radiator Drain

[99bluebug]

Would the radiator on a 99 have a drain or do you just pull lower hose when draining?I took a quick look and did not see one but could be buried I guess

[D2Beetle]

Drivers side, front... Click for Pic

[99bluebug]

thanks I will get some g12 and do it soon,1 gallon will do it right?

[Franco2112]

Why are you changing it? It is a lifetime fluid and does not need changing. If it is dirty or if over heating you have other engine issues.
Franco

[Smileybug]

"lifetime" is a stupid term from VW. It certianly doesn't mean never change it, though many people think it does. Any fluid that is in the vehicle should be serviced at some point. Fluids can degrade over time, etc. It should be changed, though it doesn't need to be changed super frequently. I think its typically changed when the water pump job is done, since you have to drain the coolant. This should be about every 60-80k miles.

[Franco2112]

Waste of money to just change it. G12 is not your typical coolant that needs to be changed by year or mileage. Most newer cars are going to lifetime coolants. My coolant is ten plus years old and still has great boil over/cold temperature protection.
Franco

[Smileybug]

Have you done the timing belt/water pump? I'd put in new coolant after you drain it for the job. Not really all that expensive.

[D2Beetle]

Anytime I replace a coolant system part I drain and change the fluid; Never reuse.

Some parts go bad prematurely, some do not, anything in between is what is considered "lifetime". This represents the coolant system lifetime, not the G12 lifetime.

[Franco2112]

Again, G12 is a lifetime coolant. Your coolant system parts are not lifetime. If you have to change a part that has failed, then sure if you want to change your coolant go right ahead. It's your choice to change or just add. But as to needing to change G12 because of age/mileage it is not necessary. It's designed to out last the car. Really!
Franco

[Smileybug]

No its not. Lifetime doesn't mean never change it. It means its good for the "lifetime" of the system its in. Fluids degrade. They need to be changed. "Lifetime" auto trans fluid should also be changed. The term lifetime I think gets tossed around too much and is highly mis-used.

Please, change your coolant when you do your water pump, or any other job that requires draining the coolant. Why would you put old stuff in? What if you get something in it while its out of the car? Why not put in new? Really, G12 isn't that much money.

[Franco2112]

Read your owners manual on G12. I'm done.
Franco

[99bluebug]

Just changing it due to it looks like it needs it as far as setiments floating around in it when seen in a clear glass and for 30 bucks or so it give me piece of mind,sure it does check 22 below still,but going to change it.

[noR]

No offense, but read more than just your owners manual.

G12 has a great organic acid used to minimize corrosion. And has great antifreeze/boil over protection.

But just because it's worlds improved over the "standard green stuff" [aka silicate based antifreeze] is no reason to think it will last forever.

VW also claims the transmission fluid is "Lifetime". But few of us really subscribe to that notion. Just a tendency to falter on the safe side of things rather than taking marketing-speak at face-value.

I'd love to see scientific results though, that proove it's good for 200K and 300K miles. and 10 and 20years.

But I changed mine at 111K, so I'm not eligable for the guinni pig.