Coolant levels

**REXman** · 05-03-2011, 05:56 AM

Not sure if it's a 'characteristic of the R or not, or maybe my dealer forgot to top up the coolant..? But went to start my car this morning.. And I am now unfortunately copping the coolant/engine temp light flashing.

Manual says check coolant and low and behold my coolant levels are below the MIN line?

The car is 3 months old and it surely can't get through a whole supplies worth of coolant in less than 4000kms driven.

Any other owners experience this? Could be the nature of the car being operated at a higher temp than non sports models.. Or it could be just my dealer didn't top it up..

No leaks there are no visible drops at all, anywhere in or near the car.

Ideas/any other MKVI golf owners experience this?

Friggin wierd, I havent had that on any other car I have owned.. Even old ones..

**MurphyTheElf** · 05-03-2011, 11:21 AM

I had a similar experience earlier in the week.

Within a few minutes of driving the car, the MFI chimed and warned "check coolant level", despite the engine and water temperature being normal. I pulled over immediately and saw that the coolant was just below the Min marker. I also checked the bottom of the car and saw some water dripping off the chassis - not where an overflow tube should be. I didn't have any G12 Plus coolant, but I wasn't far from my dealer so I just drove straight there (ensuring engine and water temps didn't increase abnormally).

Turns out the water pump has a leak and is being replaced under warranty. The only problem is the they ordered the Golf R water pump so they have my car all weekend now thanks to the transit time for parts stocked in the east.

I have a TDI Jetta slushbox as a loaner. Boo-urns.

**Pepe** · 05-03-2011, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by MurphyTheElf

The only problem is the they ordered the Golf R water pump so they have my car all weekend now thanks to the transit time for parts stocked in the east.

+150kwatw for you if they fit that water pump then

**zbeasty** · 05-03-2011, 06:16 PM

I checked mine today and its sitting below min whereas when I checked it the other week it was fine. The low coolant light hasn't come on yet so obviously hasn't gotten as low as REXman. I noticed that there are marks in the area around the coolant tank that look like it has been releasing water. Was at my dad's so we checked both the cap, releases at above 22psi, and the rest of the system which held pressure at 20 psi. Also checked that the hose clamps were tight and couldn't find anything. Will have to get some more coolant on Monday and top it up. Made sure to keep an eye on the temp gauge on the way home and it didn't move.

**Sir_GTI** · 06-03-2011, 09:36 AM

I had the same issue on my GTI. Had about 14000 on the clock and the warning light came on one night. I pulled over, had a look and it was below min as well.

Toped it up, and had it at the service centre the next week for its 15k service. Mentioned the issue, and they had a look.

I know have a sticker next to the service sticker, advising to bring the car back in 6 months (after the service) and have them re look.

I only had to refill it the week after the service, and now 5 months later, I have had no further issues, or needed to top it up.

**Umai Naa!!** · 06-03-2011, 09:15 PM

Quite often what happens is the cooling system has not completely burped when the car was built. So, once the car has been driven for a sufficient amount of time with it's new owner, the remaining air bubbles in the system are bled out. You'll usually only lose the contents of the expansion bottle at the very most.

While VW pumps the coolant into the cooling system as a closed circuit, in the theory of no ar bubbles, it never seems to work 100%.

**prise** · 08-03-2011, 05:31 PM

My 118 TSI dropped to just above the min mark in the first week and has been stable ever since so presumably it just needed to 'burp'. Even with a new car its a good idea to check fluid levels monthly rather than rely on the sensors - it only takes a minute and you can enjoy the luxury of a bonnet with a gas lift strut!

**zbeasty** · 09-03-2011, 02:01 PM

Was going to buy coolant on Monday but the guy in spare parts at Chatswood Classic said to go and see the service guys. They promptly took the keys and drove it into the workshop and topped it back to normal. 5 mins no charge

.

**MurphyTheElf** · 09-03-2011, 02:17 PM

So my GTI's water pump ended up being replaced - but with which version I don't know. I drove the car 5 minutes down the road before the all the coolant exploded out the bottom of the car. Such brilliant workmanship. The only upside is that the oil temperature never exceeded 95 degrees.

Back to the Jetta again.