Coolant levels

[VeeDub23]

Hi.

I've been driving my brothers 07 Gti the last week and have received the coolant warning light twice. On Tuesday I pulled over after 5 min driving and checked the level and it was between max and min level. When I restarted the car, warning gone.

Received the warning again today. Checked level as soon as I backed out my drive and on level road. Again, level the same. So I drove approx 30 mins and monitored the temp which did not go above 90. Happened to turn off the car at a set of lights and on restart warning gone. I rang vw service and they simply said monitor it and top up with any coolant from retail auto shops!

Will try to go vw tomorrow.

[Transporter]

I rang vw service and they simply said monitor it and top up with any coolant from retail auto shops!

Will try to go vw tomorrow.

Very unprofessional to say something like that. I hope you didn't follow that. It's much safer to top up the small amount with just clean water, however distiled or demineralised water is better. If the level doesn't go down and the alarm is still ON suspect faulty coolant level switch.

[DeanoTDI]

Hey All,

Have had my 103TDI Golf now for just over 3 years, and around 112,000km whilst driving i got a Low Oil warning, I checked the dip stick and it was critically low. Obviously topped it up immediately and then filled it more, to last until next change at 115k (6yr 120k) service.

At the service they made mention that the Oil is possibly leaking into the Coolant system, and to monitor. I have not noticed a creamy build up or anything different in the Coolant reservoir, however last night whilst driving the Temperature warning went off (flashing) and said to "Check Coolant Level, Owners manual" on the MFD. I checked it as soon as i could, and noticed the Reservoir was almost empty.

Does anyone know if at the 120k service (major+DSG) VW should've done a Coolant change? I don't think they did, and if so it's only 118k now (3k after service) why on earth would I have lost all that coolant? Some people are saying it's possibly a cracked head, yet It could just be a leak in the Coolant system, but could It also be related to the Oil supposedly leaking into the Coolant system?

This is sort of pissing me off, as the car is so soon out of warranty and it's developed this. The only drama it ever had mechanically during warranty was a secondary water pump requiring replacement.

The last workshop it was in was Sutherland Volkswagen and i'm really starting to doubt their service quality. I just want the full picture, and not nit picking things from a mechanic so they can add on each time I go to make more and more money out of me.

[stickshift3000]

If you're not happy with the vw service then you could take it to a reputable independant.

Either way I think you need to get to the bottom of your problem.

Your problems might not be related, my mkv tdi uses a bit of oil which is normal so I top up between service intervals.

[gldgti]

Given the things you have described, I would suspect the oil cooler/warmer (heat exchanger) that is part of the filter housing. Its a little heat exchanger that coolant flows through and so does the oil.....

Also, see thread in diesel section about leaking flange in the EGR circuit causing coolant leakage.

[Umai Naa!!]

The engine oil could've been underfilled at the service, and there may still have been an air bubble in the cooling system since the water pump was replaced.

HEAPS of possibilities, but you're best getting it booked in, and looked at.

If your service history within the dealer network is spot-on, and you've owned it since new, VW may come to the party and help out with the cost of the repairs.

In regards to the coolant, there doesn't seem to be a specific time interval for it to be replaced that I've ever seen. Normally, you test the water/coolant concentration, and go from there. Naturally, if it's basically just pink-coloured water, you'd replace it.

[gldgti]

The engine oil could've been underfilled at the service, and there may still have been an air bubble in the cooling system since the water pump was replaced.

HEAPS of possibilities, but you're best getting it booked in, and looked at.

If your service history within the dealer network is spot-on, and you've owned it since new, VW may come to the party and help out with the cost of the repairs.

In regards to the coolant, there doesn't seem to be a specific time interval for it to be replaced that I've ever seen. Normally, you test the water/coolant concentration, and go from there. Naturally, if it's basically just pink-coloured water, you'd replace it.

My dad did some research into the coolant life and found the spec is the same for mercedes, who say 'filled for life' - however I suppose thats all pretty meaningless when you have the water pump being replaced at 120ish,000 anyway.

[jamesdavid]

Yes, Vw/audi group coolant is lifetime based, there is no set service interval, it is purely done based on repair work. Service are meant to check the anti-freeze point using a refractometer or hydrometer like Umai Naa said.

I would be hassling a dealer if its still in warranty, if you make the complaint noticeable early enough i would scream black and blue to at least get a goodwill claim on it. I would not recommend an aftermarket place as the dealer may not be inclined to help you out if the warranty expires.

The water pumps are replaced as a precautionary measure with the timing belt, i have seen it so many times before, backyard guys doing their own belts and not replacing the pump then over tensioning the belt and it causes the water pump to leak. Then its belt off again where had it have been done first time it wouldn't have happened.

The oil cooler, rear water flange and egr cooler are all very good suggestions. I d be monitoring coolant condition for oil contamination, oil condition for a milky consistency and booking it in straight away.

Let us know what eventuates,

James

[DeanoTDI]

Given the things you have described, I would suspect the oil cooler/warmer (heat exchanger) that is part of the filter housing. Its a little heat exchanger that coolant flows through and so does the oil.....

Also, see thread in diesel section about leaking flange in the EGR circuit causing coolant leakage.

The EGR leakage was another cause, i'm suspecting that's the root of the Coolant loss.

The Oil usage was expected to happen eventually, just was wondering if it was tied in together at all.

[Jmr84]

If your egr cooler is leaking you'll most probably find on cold start and first hard take of you'll blow white smoke. Egr coolers and oil coolers are a common faults.
Oil will normally leak into cooling system making your reservoir black when cooler at fault, not the other way around tho.
But yes it could just be a air pocket as stated before due to 105,000 k service and water pimp bring replaced.
I'd just monitor coolant for a little while and go from there.