How Often Should the Coolant Be Replaced in a Magotan?
4 Answers
The coolant in a Magotan should be replaced every two years or 40,000 kilometers. This is just a reference interval. For commercial vehicles with higher mileage, the replacement cycle should be shorter. Since driving conditions vary for each vehicle, the actual replacement should be based on usage. Monitor the coolant level and top it up promptly if it is low. If suspended particles, sediment, discoloration, or deterioration are observed in the coolant, replace it immediately and flush the system. Coolant replacement procedure: Before a complete coolant replacement, conduct a thorough inspection to check for leaks or cracks in all hoses, with special attention to the five-way hose. The five-way hose, named for its five connection points, distributes coolant to different parts of the vehicle. If coolant leakage is detected in this area, replace the hose or reseal the connections as needed. Drain the old coolant and flush the system with clean water. Fill the coolant reservoir with water and let it circulate through the engine cooling system. Idle the engine for 3 to 5 minutes to allow the water to circulate. Initially, the discharged water may appear slightly pink. Continue flushing until clear water flows out. Remember to disconnect the heater hose and drain the heater core completely. About an hour after draining, add new coolant through the radiator hose for faster filling. Then, fill the coolant reservoir nearly to the top. Start the engine and let it run for about 10 minutes. As air is purged from the system, the coolant level will drop. Top it up to the "MAXT" mark on the reservoir.
My old Magotan has been driven for three and a half years before maintenance, and the mechanic said the coolant should be replaced. Honestly, whether to replace this stuff can't just be determined by time. The manual says to replace it every two years, but in reality, it depends on the usage conditions. If you frequently drive long distances or live in northern areas where winter temperatures drop below minus twenty degrees Celsius, it's better to replace it within two years. Last time I neglected it, resulting in a thick layer of white scale forming in the radiator pipes, which ended up costing more to repair. Now, I often pop the hood to check the reservoir. If I notice the liquid turning cloudy or rusty, I know it's time to be alert. By the way, it's best to test the freezing point before summer; if it's below minus 20 degrees, it's time to replace it immediately.
A couple of days ago, my neighbor Old Wang who runs a repair shop reminded me that Volkswagen's antifreeze should ideally be replaced every two years. He mentioned that the additives inside gradually lose effectiveness, which can easily corrode aluminum radiators and water pumps. He's seen many car owners at his shop who haven't changed it for four or five years, and the cooling pipes pulled out were all covered in green rust deposits. Now, he's learned his lesson and checks it with a refractometer before every winter. If the reading is above -35°C, it can still hold up. He suggests everyone not just rely on mileage; when the time comes, it should be replaced. Otherwise, repairing a water pump once could cost as much as replacing the antifreeze ten times over.
Last time at the 4S shop, I heard the technician say that the replacement interval for coolant mainly depends on its composition. Conventional ethylene glycol-based ones must be replaced every two years, while new organic acid formulations can last up to five years. The original pink G13 coolant for the Magotan is considered long-life, but its cooling efficiency drops by 30% after four years of use. Someone in our club conducted an experiment showing that the boiling point of old coolant decreased from 135°C to 120°C, and in winter, it started forming ice crystals at -15°C. It's recommended to check the level and color after exceeding 60,000 kilometers—don’t hesitate if it turns yellow or dark.
