Cooling System Warning Light in the Mornings

[Maltopia]

Last three mornings, the car has come up with the red flashing cooling system warning light (manual says system failure, take to workshop).

If I turn the engine off and wait a minute or so, it starts up fine without the warning light. No issue in the evening. It has been unusually cold in Perth and the fact there is no warning lights coming on in the evening suggests it has to do with the cold (2-4 degrees overnight).

Any thoughts what might be the issue? Am due for my 4 year/60K services (at 5 year anniversary) in about two months and wondering if it is safe to leave it till then since there are no warning lights (or performance issues) after starting the car a second time in the morning?

[Umai Naa!!]

Have you checked the coolant level?

[Bamish1000]

Coolant is probably diluted, add a little concentrate of the prescribed variety and try again. If that doesn't work the little probes inside might need a little scrub.

[VR28LT]

replace the bottle

$50 or so from the dealer

its common in the cold weather..... I had this issue a while and changed the reservoir and its been good ever since

[Maltopia]

Have you checked the coolant level?

You were on the money! Thanks for the tip

Coolant level was quite a bit below the minimum line. I put in about 400ml of distiller water to bring it up to the minimum line.

Surprised so much coolant has escaped since my major service 10 months ago.

Have had the coolant pump replaced under warranty in the past after it was leaking coolant slowly onto a drip tray in the engine bay so not leaving any obvious drip marks...

I don't drive hard - I get about 8.5L/100 kms using 98 - is it normal to lose so much coolant in less than a year?

[Umai Naa!!]

Might've taken this long to purge the remaining air out of the system.

[Maltopia]

Got the car serviced and a pressure test revealed a slow leak due to a clamp under he body of the car somewhere which had lost strength due to "wear and tear". They replaced with a new clamp so all good now.

[Snail Style]

Wear and tear meaning the tech who replaced the water pump used the incorrect tools to get the clamp off when doing the water pump.

[dsgwhizza]

probably the hose connected to the drivers side of the radiator.

The fitting that slides over onto radiator on the mk6R and GTi is pretty weak,and develop hairline cracks and seep coolant out. My car had this and it eventually broke completely. Another thing it could be is the seal inside this fitting, according to the yanks the seals give up on these fitting every now and then.

link to a thread for any dudes in future that maybe having some issues
Coolant leak and warranty question - VW GTI MKVI Forum / VW Golf R Forum / VW Golf MKVI Forum / VW GTI Forum - Golfmk6.com