2015 (6C) Polo GTI 1.8 Thermostat Housing Coolant Leak

**VWPolo6RGTI** · 14-03-2019, 07:24 AM

I have a slight coolant leak from the thermostat housing on a Polo that's 3.5 years old / 100,000 kms.

Apparently this is a known issue: Volkswagen Polo GTI 2010 - Car Review - Good & Bad | Honest John

VW quoted me $1,300 to replace thermostat housing ($600 for part / 4 hours labour), it's only a very slight leak so I'm just gonna keep a regular eye on the coolant level for now.

I'm interested in hearing from other members around:

1. the risk of not replacing

2. the quote I've been given

3. the possibility of a link with the valve cover leaking oil onto the plastic coolant housing causing the O ring to swell: YouTube

**Mi16 Man** · 14-03-2019, 10:02 AM

Am not sure if you are on the FB page for Polo GTI owners but I recently documented that I got it all done for free on my 2015 MY16 6C GTI w 63,000kms. Huge thanks to the local dealer, Gerald Slaven VW in Canberra

VW Polo GTI Owners Australia public group | Facebook

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**Mi16 Man** · 14-03-2019, 10:03 AM

I saw the final claim to VW Warranty which was around $1650.

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**brad** · 18-03-2019, 02:22 PM

I have the EA888 1.8tsi in a Skoda Octavia.

I had a workshop do the waterpump & housing (which also integrates the thermostat and a temperature sensor) at ~90,000km. and it was ~$1200 with genuine parts. I think they squirted some carbon clean in the inlets but i doubt they put much effort in the job.

I replaced it again at ~170k km using a chinese ebay part that was $125 delivered. Coolant was another $60. I DIY'd and the inlet R&R was around 5-6 hours for the first time with a rubbish toolkit. I also had to decoke the inlet tracts which added another 8 hours of tedious work with non-caustic oven cleaner, brushes, picks and solvent. It's not a hard job, just time consuming.

I think the dealers labour time and parts price is competitive when using genuine parts.

**Mishhab** · 25-03-2019, 07:20 PM

After I bought my gti polo 6r 4 months later I took my car for a service, my mechanic told me my radiator and water pump were gone...at this point it was a pre existing problem from the previous owners. I did get a mechanic to look at the car prior to purchasing and he said there was coolant stains on the engine bay which then the car went into VW Solitare...where apparently they preformed a pressure test and inspection, they said “nothing” was wrong with it but there was...
I ended up contacting head office of VW aus, as this was their fault...(wouldnt have purchased a faulty car) Car was 4 months out of warranty at this point but After a good talking to with head office they fixed the problem under warranty and didn’t have to pay anything. There have I believe 8 revisions of their waterpump (still somehow can’t get it right). I got quoted $3000 from my mechanic for both the water pump and radiator. It’s crucial that you get it replaced! (Also my car was only at 42000 kms)

**VWPolo6RGTI** · 08-04-2019, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by Mishhab

After I bought my gti polo 65 4 months later I took my car for a service, my mechanic told me my radiator and water pump were gone...at this point it was a pre existing problem from the previous owners. I did get a mechanic to look at the car prior to purchasing and he said there was coolant stains on the engine bay which then the car went into VW Solitare...where apparently they preformed a pressure test and inspection, they said “nothing” was wrong with it but there was...
I ended up contacting head office of VW aus, as this was their fault...(wouldnt have purchased a faulty car) Car was 4 months out of warranty at this point but After a good talking to with head office they fixed the problem under warranty and didn’t have to pay anything. There have I believe 8 revisions of their waterpump (still somehow can’t get it right). I got quoted $3000 from my mechanic for both the water pump and radiator. It’s crucial that you get it replaced! (Also my car was only at 42000 kms)

Why do you say it's crucial that you get it replaced?

**Mishhab** · 08-04-2019, 12:16 PM

Because it’s a cooling system for engine. If they go your engine goes

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**Mishhab** · 08-04-2019, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by VWPolo6RGTI

Why do you say it's crucial that you get it replaced?

Because it’s a cooling system for you engine. If they go your engine goes

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**Jalebi** · 04-08-2019, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by Mi16 Man

Am not if you are on the FB page for Polo GTI owners but I recently documented that I got it all done for free on my 2015 MY16 6C GTI w 63,000kms. Huge thanks to the local dealer, Gerald Slaven VW in Canberra

VW Polo GTI Owners Australia public group | Facebook

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I don’t have Facebook so just wanted to ask; Is this a known issue and how were you able to get the costs covered (assuming it’s out of warranty). The same issue was identified with my 2015 Polo Gti 6C w 60,000kms. Unfortunately, VW will not cover the costs even though I had the car regularly serviced them. Thanks in advance.

**Mishhab** · 04-08-2019, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Jalebi

I don’t have Facebook so just wanted to ask; Is this a known issue and how were you able to get the costs covered (assuming it’s out of warranty). The same issue was identified with my 2015 Polo Gti 6C w 60,000kms. Unfortunately, VW will not cover the costs even though I had the car regularly serviced them. Thanks in advance.

It’s a common issue. I suggest to take it further

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