How to Drain Antifreeze From a 1993 Passat

The 1993 Volkswagen Passat base model is powered by a liquid-cooled 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The cooling system on the '93 Passat requires a special coolant made by Volkswagen, known as G12, which cannot be mixed with any other type of coolant. Draining the cooling system requires removing the radiator hoses, because Volkswagen did not incorporate a drain plug into the Passat cooling system.

Instructions

Draining

1

Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the parking brake. Lift the vehicle hood and support it with the hood prop rod. Allow the engine to cool completely before continuing.

2

Lift the front of the vehicle off the ground with the floor jack and place jack stands under the front frame rails of the vehicle. Lower the floor jack until the vehicle rests securely on the jack stands. Remove the floor jack.

3

Put on the safety glasses.

4

Slowly rotate the coolant expansion tank cap counterclockwise and allow the pressure to leak from around the cap. Remove the coolant pressure cap.

5

Place the large drain pan under the water pump. Loosen the two bolts securing the thermostat housing to the water pump six full rotations. Allow the coolant to drain from the gap around the thermostat housing and water pump.

6

Squeeze the pressure clamp around the hose going to the thermostat housing, using the pliers, and slide the clamp down the hose. Remove the hose from the thermostat housing and allow any additional coolant to drain from the hose.

7

Squeeze the pressure clamp for the lower radiator hose with the pliers. Slide the clamp up the hose. Remove the hose from the radiator and allow any additional coolant to drain.

8

Remove the thermostat housing bolts. Remove the thermostat housing and thermostat from the water pump.

9

Apply compressed air into the coolant expansion tank. The air will circulate through the cooling system and push any remaining coolant out.

10

Remove the drain pan from under the vehicle and store the used coolant in a safe place.

Filling

11

Install a new thermostat o-ring to the thermostat. Place the thermostat into the water pump. Place the thermostat housing onto the water pump and install the mounting bolts. Tighten the mounting bolts to 89 inch-pounds with the small torque wrench.

12

Install the lower radiator hose onto the radiator nipple. Apply the pressure clamp to the lower radiator hose. Install the coolant hose to the thermostat housing and apply the pressure clamp.

13

Add fresh G12 coolant to the coolant expansion tank and allow it to work its way into the cooling system. When the tank maintains a full level for two minutes, the system is full.

14

Start the engine with the coolant expansion tank cap off. Set the heater controls to the maximum setting. Allow the engine to reach operating temperature. As the engine warms up, the coolant level will drop. Continue to add coolant to the full line as the engine warms.

15

Increase the engine speed to 3,000 rpm and hold it there for three minutes. As air works its way through the system, it will evacuate through the coolant expansion tank. Shut down the engine.

16

Top off the expansion tank to the warm full line. Install the coolant expansion tank cap.

17

Lift the vehicle off the jack stands, using the floor jack, and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground.