Vw golf maintenance sites

hi, does anyone know of websites with information on vw golf maintenance (Mk5, 2004)! especially looking for sites with pics on coolant replacement etc. I suppose an onlinemanual would be too much to ask for. thanks in advance

First question. why are you changing the coolant! Coolant is "lifetime" in a MK5 and it takes a VERY specific one so don't just use anything from supercheap, use the proper petofrost G12. If it looks clean but just a bit too dilute then you can top it off with some more pentofrost. If you suspect someone has topped it up with generic antifreeze then definitely drain, flush and refill.

Because of the lifetime nature of the coolant its not designed as a simple drain and fill with a drain tap and air bleeders etc. You are supposed to use a VW pressure filler tool on them from memory.

However. you can drain the system by removing a bottom hose and (apparently) refil it by putting the coolant in the expansion tank, idling the engine and then topping it off with (I think its supposed to be distilled) water, keep repeating the process until full. You would want to do that carefully and slowly with the heater on and be careful you get it properly filled with no air locks and you don't cook your engine in the process. Its worth saying again be VERY careful if you try that method.

Bentley make the owners manual for the MK5 it may be a wise investment.

You can pick up a service schedule easy enough online which will give you a good idea whats due when.

The key things are DSG transmission, this is serviced every 60'000km. I can help you out with how to service that properly at home if you need. Just ask. What ever you do DO NOT take the DSG to Midas, Oil Changers etc to be done. Either do it yourself or get a VW specialist to do it, no one else.

The other thing to be aware of is the 2.0 FSI and 2.0 FSI Turbo engines have a timing belt (they have a chain too to cover all bases!). The recommended change interval on that has changed over time and varies on who you ask.

I personally play it safe and change it every 4 years. If you are doing more than say 40'000km a year then perhaps sooner.

Its easy enough to change at home if you have done cambelts before or are mechanically minded and I can give you a guide to do it if you want.

Anything else just ask.

I would change the coolant every 5 years on one of those, although it says lifetime , nothing lasts forever, over the years it would have been topped up and dilluted. not worth risking engine failure because of penny pinching. most engines would last forever if they wern't overheated. good luck.

I have not yet come across a "Lifetime" Coolant that lasts a lifetime, let alone a "5 Year Coolant' that lasts much more then 3.

Sure, no harm whatsoever in doing it more often. I certainly flush VW "Lifetime" transmissions as well.

You just have to weigh up that we have no idea of the OP's mechanical abilities, there is a fairly high risk of cooking a motor through trying to drain and refill one of these at home if you lack mechanical nous. With that in mind I was going with what the dealer recommendation is which I am pretty sure is to Ph check and adjust.

But hey if the OP is savy then certainly better to drain, flush and fill, remember flush part should also be done with distilled water.

Aha!
Found a link to some DIY instructions.
http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/attachment.php!attachmentid=44052&d=1242013469