Step by step guide on how to remove the coolant tank from your vehicle and replace with one not containing a "Silicat" bag. This applies to Skoda, VW, Audi and Seat vehicles. Tools you will need pump pliers: amzn.to/3n97S6E aborbent towel: amzn.to/42EKTRg gloves: amzn.to/40mf1P7 Disclaimer: If buy from the links above I receive a small commission which helps fund the channel. If this helps you, please consider liking and subscribing. Any questions or feedback - please leave below! Summary of basic process: Syphon old coolant out Remove electrical connector Release mounting lugs Remove pipes Refitting is a reveral of removal.
My VW Golf is from 2018. However, I do not see any inscription “with Sillikat” on my reservoir. Can I then assume that I do not have a sillicat bag in my reservoir?
@NinoSpinner Buon punto! In realtà l'ho scaricato e spurgato, ma non ho ancora pubblicato il video: si sta rivelando piuttosto problematico. Io uso G12 Evo. Spero che aiuti? (for other viewers) Translation: Have you replaced the G13 tank with the G12 but without bleeding it? Did you put the G12++ or G12 Evo? My reply: Good point! I did acutally flush & bleed it - but haven't yet published that video - it's proving rather troublesome. I used G12 Evo. Hope that helps?
@@FixItWithJon tranquillo puoi rispondere in inglese a me fa la traduzione automatica Ma comunque chiedevo il G12++ e il G12 Evo sono gli stessi ma chiamati in modo diverso? Non c'è bisogno di fare lo spurgo perché il G12++ o Evo e il G13 sono miscelabili ho trovato diverse info a riguardo
@@NinoSpinner (translation of question for other viewers): Fix It With Jon, don't worry, you can answer in English, it'll do the automatic translation for me. But anyway, I was asking, are the G12++ and the G12 Evo the same but called differently? There is no need to purge because the G12++ or Evo and the G13 can be mixed. I found various information about it Hiya - some really good questions! G12 Evo is the more modern coolant - the chemicals are more environmentally friendly than G12++. It can be safely mixed with G12++. Personally I like to flush coolant every 2 years or so to maintain system internals - many manufacturers also have a similar schedule but strangely I've never been offered a "coolant flush" on a main dealer service.. Hope that helps?
@@FixItWithJon ok grazie, io ho tolto ieri il sacchetto con quelle sferette, e farò un aggiunta di G12Evo togliendo un po' di G13, successivamente toglierò un altro po' di liquido così da tenerlo sempre nuovo
@rsgtc Sure buddy - here you go (remember this is for a Mk3 Octavia / Mk7 Golf - if you have a different car, suggest call your dealer or auto factor): geni.us/Xisa
Going to attempt this on my Passat. I’m assuming you can replenish the coolant taken out to change the vessel with G12 and it will blend with whatever coolant is in the rest of the system?
@@FixItWithJon That seems to be in contradiction to the video where you state that you don't need to flush the system since you haven't introduced any air?
@@James_08_07 Yes, that's a good point. What I'm trying to say (not very well admittedly) is that you can replace the tank without bleeding the cooling system (and you can top up with either G12 or G13, but that it's good practice to flush every 2 years. When doing the next flush, use G12. Hope that makes more sense?
@vincerees841 I topped up with G12 and yes they do mix safely. Although - note it is important to do a coolant change every 2 years. Hope that helps? Thanks for the comment :-)
Hi Andrew, Skoda recommends every two years - I’m pretty sure you’d be okay if you left it double that but personally I prefer to follow the manufacturers recommendations. Easy choices, hard life, hard choices, easy life-a bit of preventative maintenance goes a long way.
I just took the tank off and took the bag out them bags are tough didn’t break the bag even though I was grabbing it really hard with long nose pliers job done . I just rinsed it out for 5 minutes just in case .
@deanwelsh5702 Yep, fair play pal. If you can get the tank off, then there's no chance of the silicat leaking into the coolant. Usually only possible if you've got a single walled tank - glad you were able to avoid getting a new tank :-)
Just did the same! Super stressful while it was on the car full of coolant but once I drained it and removed it from the car I went ham and it didn’t rip lol
@justz9435 great question! I am told that they do not fit bags anymore, but I am sceptical - especially if they have large stocks of the 'bagged' coolant tanks to get through. Hope that helps?
I need clarification for why the bag is actually there. I assume it works in conjunction specifically with G13 coolant. As VW eventually saw the bags as a bad idea (who wound'nt really) they changed to G12 Evo coolant. Does this mean all present VW cars have no bags and use G12 evo coolant and you would recommend removing any bags and changing to G12 evo as replacing with G13 coolant without a bag would not be effective. I am uncertain which route to take as the older G12+ was never intended with a car with a G13 marked expansion tank and i cant see if it is advised to use G12 evo either. VW have kept very quiet on this.
just take bottle with silica g13 alot ppl crazy not realizing Vw dont give sh*t about ppl who already own and not the mention they gonna blame u if u under warranty* i live in france but my family live in german they always told me take as a manuel manuf in old one never take new cuz u gonna be a guinea pig...
When the bag splits the crystals get into the heater matrix which then has to be replaced, along with the header tank and then copious flushing. Expect a bill circa £1000. The VAG knew about this and should have issued a TB to recommend changing the tank when the first coolant change was made.
I guess if you wanted the cheapest solution, drain the tank out as you demonstrate and they play around with trying to get the silica bag out without the worry about it splitting and contaminating the system. I think on mine you can get to the bag so if thats the case then its worth it.
@funky_geek absolutely buddy - if you can get to the bag & are confident of removing it without contaminating your coolant then that is the cheapest solution for sure. 👌 👍
I don't know if i got lucky but in my Golf mk7 i got the bag out in like 5 seconds, just came right out. Luckily wasn't split but was showing signs of degrading
@@FixItWithJon Yes luckily singled walled coolant tank. I assume I can top up my G13 coolant with the replaced G12 Evo coolant when needed as I don't want to do a full coolant replacement just yet
@@eyybabyj1397 No buddy - mixing coolant types is baaad news. If you don't have time to do a flush now, then recommend topping up with G13 for now and then diarise to do a full flush with G12 asap. I didn't realise before starting this process: coolant should be changed every 2 years as a matter of course. It's an odd one - I don't ever remember booking my car in for a routine service and be told that the coolant had to be changed, but it does make sense when you think about it.. The coolant will degrade over time etc. Hope that helps? 🙂
@Gaspa2597 The dealer will sell you a tank without a bag. I'm not aware of a specific brand per se, but any motor factor will be able to supply - you just need to specify at the time of ordering. When I contacted Skoda - they knew exactly what I meant - straight away. Hope that helps?
Oh yeah I saw that sucker floating away while topping up coolant on my 2015 Audi A3 Quattro. Tank was double-walled obviously because they don't want you removing it but I reckoned leaving it there would only bring trouble. Got it out with my needle nose pliers, just had to position it right with my fingers beforehand. Sometimes it's hard having big hands :( Now I understand I can only use G12 Evo coolant as it already comes with the silicates
@@jahid_1 Before topping up coolant, I had a good look at the whole tank and glimpsed of something tucked away behind the double wall. I thought it was odd so I took to the internet to find answers and saw all the people who had those bags rupture on them, heater exchange matrix getting clogged and in for an expensive repair. So yeah it was tucked away and hidden out of sight not floating around
As long as you're comfortable doing that bud then full power to you.. Mine was double walled, and therefore impossible to get to the bag. Even if it was single walled I wouldn't have risiked it (personally) though - the risk / reward ratio isn't good in my view. Only 20 pounds or so for a new tank..
Hiya - yep sorry, have had a nightmare with my cooling system and VCDS wouldn't let me complete the bleed process successfully. Finally tracked the problem down to a faulty electric coolant pump for the internal heater matrix. Replaced it and all good. Have now recorded the VCDS bleed procedure here: ua-cam.com/video/t854UeaUvNA/v-deo.html Thank you for your patience :-)
The coolant expansion tank is not forever...they leak, split, rot, whatever. Same with the Brake Fluid Reservoir. And hoses degrade. Thermostat is another YES to replace. VW don't build ease-of- maintenance systems. The water pump is another medium life item. To replace on a B-5 the entire bumper etc must be pulled forward. See instructions. A Chevy V-8 's water pump might require 20-30 minutes. This VW wants 3-4 hours minimum at shop rates. Learn and do it yourself. Maybe 2 days?
@graycleary Yep, sorry buddy - had some real problems with my low temp cooling circuit which meant that I was unable to complete the process. Have now replaced the low temp coolant pump and all is good now. Have recorded the promised video here: ua-cam.com/video/t854UeaUvNA/v-deo.html
You're correct but it is a German manufactured part and therefore they write "Silicat" on the side which is the German for Silica. Since people are going to be searching for "Silicat" that is the most appropriate title for the video. But you're right - it is Silica :-)
My VW Golf is from 2018. However, I do not see any inscription “with Sillikat” on my reservoir. Can I then assume that I do not have a sillicat bag in my reservoir?
Step by step guide on how to remove the coolant tank from your vehicle and replace with one not containing a "Silicat" bag. This applies to Skoda, VW, Audi and Seat vehicles.
Tools you will need
pump pliers: amzn.to/3n97S6E
aborbent towel: amzn.to/42EKTRg
gloves: amzn.to/40mf1P7
Disclaimer: If buy from the links above I receive a small commission which helps fund the channel.
If this helps you, please consider liking and subscribing. Any questions or feedback - please leave below!
Summary of basic process:
Syphon old coolant out
Remove electrical connector
Release mounting lugs
Remove pipes
Refitting is a reveral of removal.
My VW Golf is from 2018. However, I do not see any inscription “with Sillikat” on my reservoir. Can I then assume that I do not have a sillicat bag in my reservoir?
Hi, would you advise filling back up to the upper (max) line?
Yep absolutely 👍
Hai sostituito il serbatoio G13 con il G12 ma senza fare lo spurgo?
Hai messo il G12++ o G12 Evo?
@NinoSpinner Buon punto! In realtà l'ho scaricato e spurgato, ma non ho ancora pubblicato il video: si sta rivelando piuttosto problematico. Io uso G12 Evo. Spero che aiuti?
(for other viewers) Translation: Have you replaced the G13 tank with the G12 but without bleeding it?
Did you put the G12++ or G12 Evo?
My reply:
Good point! I did acutally flush & bleed it - but haven't yet published that video - it's proving rather troublesome. I used G12 Evo. Hope that helps?
@@FixItWithJon tranquillo puoi rispondere in inglese a me fa la traduzione automatica
Ma comunque chiedevo il G12++ e il G12 Evo sono gli stessi ma chiamati in modo diverso?
Non c'è bisogno di fare lo spurgo perché il G12++ o Evo e il G13 sono miscelabili ho trovato diverse info a riguardo
@@NinoSpinner (translation of question for other viewers): Fix It With Jon, don't worry, you can answer in English, it'll do the automatic translation for me. But anyway, I was asking, are the G12++ and the G12 Evo the same but called differently? There is no need to purge because the G12++ or Evo and the G13 can be mixed. I found various information about it
Hiya - some really good questions! G12 Evo is the more modern coolant - the chemicals are more environmentally friendly than G12++. It can be safely mixed with G12++. Personally I like to flush coolant every 2 years or so to maintain system internals - many manufacturers also have a similar schedule but strangely I've never been offered a "coolant flush" on a main dealer service.. Hope that helps?
@@FixItWithJon ok grazie, io ho tolto ieri il sacchetto con quelle sferette, e farò un aggiunta di G12Evo togliendo un po' di G13, successivamente toglierò un altro po' di liquido così da tenerlo sempre nuovo
@@NinoSpinner Ok buddy - good luck! Glad you have removed the bag successfully 🙂
Can you please share the part reference for the new coolant tank without the silica bag? Thanks.
@rsgtc Sure buddy - here you go (remember this is for a Mk3 Octavia / Mk7 Golf - if you have a different car, suggest call your dealer or auto factor): geni.us/Xisa
Going to attempt this on my Passat. I’m assuming you can replenish the coolant taken out to change the vessel with G12 and it will blend with whatever coolant is in the rest of the system?
Hi buddy, definitely don’t mix coolant types-you need to flush all the old coolant out and refill the whole system with G12. Hope that helps?
@@FixItWithJon That seems to be in contradiction to the video where you state that you don't need to flush the system since you haven't introduced any air?
@@James_08_07 Yes, that's a good point. What I'm trying to say (not very well admittedly) is that you can replace the tank without bleeding the cooling system (and you can top up with either G12 or G13, but that it's good practice to flush every 2 years. When doing the next flush, use G12. Hope that makes more sense?
Did you top up with g12 or g13 antifreeze and do they mix ?
@vincerees841 I topped up with G12 and yes they do mix safely. Although - note it is important to do a coolant change every 2 years. Hope that helps? Thanks for the comment :-)
When do you recommend replacement of the existing coolant after removal of the bag?
Hi Andrew, Skoda recommends every two years - I’m pretty sure you’d be okay if you left it double that but personally I prefer to follow the manufacturers recommendations. Easy choices, hard life, hard choices, easy life-a bit of preventative maintenance goes a long way.
is this for both fuel variants or just diesel models? i have a polo TSi 1.2 petrol. will check mine now..
thanks for this. 👍
@bs7157 Both petrol & diesel buddy. Did yours have the bag?
@@FixItWithJon No luckily it didn't!
I just took the tank off and took the bag out them bags are tough didn’t break the bag even though I was grabbing it really hard with long nose pliers job done . I just rinsed it out for 5 minutes just in case .
@deanwelsh5702 Yep, fair play pal. If you can get the tank off, then there's no chance of the silicat leaking into the coolant. Usually only possible if you've got a single walled tank - glad you were able to avoid getting a new tank :-)
Just did the same! Super stressful while it was on the car full of coolant but once I drained it and removed it from the car I went ham and it didn’t rip lol
Do they still put the bags on the new style expansion tanks?
@justz9435 great question! I am told that they do not fit bags anymore, but I am sceptical - especially if they have large stocks of the 'bagged' coolant tanks to get through. Hope that helps?
greeting
does it have to be pink g12 antifreeze or can i pour green antifreeze
I need clarification for why the bag is actually there. I assume it works in conjunction specifically with G13 coolant. As VW eventually saw the bags as a bad idea (who wound'nt really) they changed to G12 Evo coolant. Does this mean all present VW cars have no bags and use G12 evo coolant and you would recommend removing any bags and changing to G12 evo as replacing with G13 coolant without a bag would not be effective. I am uncertain which route to take as the older G12+ was never intended with a car with a G13 marked expansion tank and i cant see if it is advised to use G12 evo either. VW have kept very quiet on this.
just take bottle with silica g13 alot ppl crazy not realizing Vw dont give sh*t about ppl who already own and not the mention they gonna blame u if u under warranty* i live in france but my family live in german they always told me take as a manuel manuf in old one never take new cuz u gonna be a guinea pig...
not the mention silica explode plus 120k after* and its cost 20euro LUL
Great video, so if i remove the bag should i use G12 from now on?
@cliffordshute glad it helped :-) Yes absolutely - use G12 going forward.
@@FixItWithJon cheers matey 😁
Great video ...im just replacing with new bottle ....ive G12+ is that ok now that ive no sil bag ?
Yes, absolutely
When the bag splits the crystals get into the heater matrix which then has to be replaced, along with the header tank and then copious flushing. Expect a bill circa £1000. The VAG knew about this and should have issued a TB to recommend changing the tank when the first coolant change was made.
I guess if you wanted the cheapest solution, drain the tank out as you demonstrate and they play around with trying to get the silica bag out without the worry about it splitting and contaminating the system. I think on mine you can get to the bag so if thats the case then its worth it.
@funky_geek absolutely buddy - if you can get to the bag & are confident of removing it without contaminating your coolant then that is the cheapest solution for sure. 👌 👍
just had a look at my 2015 tsi vw beetle tank, no "mit silikat" printed on the tank, look's like i've dodged a bullet then,
@paulhammersley4562 Bullet dodged buddy :-) Glad to hear it.
I don't know if i got lucky but in my Golf mk7 i got the bag out in like 5 seconds, just came right out. Luckily wasn't split but was showing signs of degrading
@eyybabyj1397 Wow! That's awesome :-) You must have had a single walled coolant tank? Glad it came out easily :-)
@@FixItWithJon Yes luckily singled walled coolant tank. I assume I can top up my G13 coolant with the replaced G12 Evo coolant when needed as I don't want to do a full coolant replacement just yet
@@eyybabyj1397 No buddy - mixing coolant types is baaad news. If you don't have time to do a flush now, then recommend topping up with G13 for now and then diarise to do a full flush with G12 asap. I didn't realise before starting this process: coolant should be changed every 2 years as a matter of course. It's an odd one - I don't ever remember booking my car in for a routine service and be told that the coolant had to be changed, but it does make sense when you think about it.. The coolant will degrade over time etc. Hope that helps? 🙂
Hello, What spare brand do I need to buy to have a tank without a bag?
@Gaspa2597 The dealer will sell you a tank without a bag. I'm not aware of a specific brand per se, but any motor factor will be able to supply - you just need to specify at the time of ordering. When I contacted Skoda - they knew exactly what I meant - straight away. Hope that helps?
hi bro it’s no change g12 evo? tanks
Hiya, if you have removed the silicat bag, you defo want to use G12 going forward - is that what you were asking?
@@FixItWithJon Can I replace it by a tank without silica? Yes? Than also chance the coolant to G12??
Yes absolutely right. Good luck - let me know how you get on?
As soon as possible You should flush system and change colant fluid on
Glysantin G65 or G12 evo
@aIbercik Yes, absolutely agree re. G12. Not heard of G65 - what is that usually used for?
Where to buy one without Silica?
@edmundzed9870 (remember this is for a Mk3 Octavia / Mk7 Golf - if you have a different car, suggest call your dealer or auto factor): geni.us/Xisa
Oh yeah I saw that sucker floating away while topping up coolant on my 2015 Audi A3 Quattro. Tank was double-walled obviously because they don't want you removing it but I reckoned leaving it there would only bring trouble.
Got it out with my needle nose pliers, just had to position it right with my fingers beforehand. Sometimes it's hard having big hands :(
Now I understand I can only use G12 Evo coolant as it already comes with the silicates
I thought if your tank is double walled you can’t see it floating around as it’s behind the wall?
@@jahid_1 Before topping up coolant, I had a good look at the whole tank and glimpsed of something tucked away behind the double wall. I thought it was odd so I took to the internet to find answers and saw all the people who had those bags rupture on them, heater exchange matrix getting clogged and in for an expensive repair. So yeah it was tucked away and hidden out of sight not floating around
Bonus, checked my 2011 Ibiza, no bag.
Awesome! Great result 👍👍
i just pull the "silikat bag" out. it is not necceary for a new bottum.
As long as you're comfortable doing that bud then full power to you.. Mine was double walled, and therefore impossible to get to the bag. Even if it was single walled I wouldn't have risiked it (personally) though - the risk / reward ratio isn't good in my view. Only 20 pounds or so for a new tank..
G12EVO from 2018
We waiting for the intense bleeding process
Hiya - yep sorry, have had a nightmare with my cooling system and VCDS wouldn't let me complete the bleed process successfully. Finally tracked the problem down to a faulty electric coolant pump for the internal heater matrix. Replaced it and all good. Have now recorded the VCDS bleed procedure here: ua-cam.com/video/t854UeaUvNA/v-deo.html Thank you for your patience :-)
The coolant expansion tank is not forever...they leak, split, rot, whatever. Same with the Brake Fluid Reservoir. And hoses degrade. Thermostat is another YES to replace. VW don't build ease-of- maintenance systems. The water pump is another medium life item. To replace on a B-5 the entire bumper etc must be pulled forward. See instructions. A Chevy V-8 's water pump might require 20-30 minutes. This VW wants 3-4 hours minimum at shop rates. Learn and do it yourself. Maybe 2 days?
Yup - totally agree.. VW made a mechanic’s life pretty tough with this one..
G-12 fore sure!
You forgot the other clip
@graycleary Yep, sorry buddy - had some real problems with my low temp cooling circuit which meant that I was unable to complete the process. Have now replaced the low temp coolant pump and all is good now. Have recorded the promised video here: ua-cam.com/video/t854UeaUvNA/v-deo.html
Silica - not silicat nor silicate
You're correct but it is a German manufactured part and therefore they write "Silicat" on the side which is the German for Silica. Since people are going to be searching for "Silicat" that is the most appropriate title for the video. But you're right - it is Silica :-)
Flush every 4-5 years .
There's no other way.
Yep - personally I go with 2 yr coolant flush interval just to be sure..
My VW Golf is from 2018. However, I do not see any inscription “with Sillikat” on my reservoir. Can I then assume that I do not have a sillicat bag in my reservoir?
Yes