Bora V5 Coolant question

[EdwinConan]

I'm a new driver, got my license few months ago. I bought my second hand 2003 Bora V5 about 2 months ago. Nothing went wrong until this morning when I start my Bora V5 and backing out of my drive way. It displayed a huge "STOP, Check Coolant" warning on my dash. I checked the coolant level, and there is barely any red/pink/orange liquid left in that ball shape bottle.

The car has 114,000km on the clock, and over my 2 months experience with the car, it never overheats, the temperature needle on the dash always stays in the middle.

Here is the question:
1) Is it normal that the coolant can run out like that? Or did I get a leak somewhere in the system overnight parking on my driveway? I couldn't tell leak since it's raining today, the ground is wet.

2) I'm planning to go to the stealer to buy a bottle of coolant tomorrow to top off. But should I flush the system before top off? (since I have no idea if the red coolant left in the bottle is genuine VW or other stuff that the previous owner put in). Or should I just fill up to the level and leave it?

I love the Bora, Any suggestions will be deeply appreciated.

[Rybky]

I would get it topped up ASAP then closely monitor it for the next week in case it drops again.

Also check the coolant sensor, the original black sensors are known to be faulty which in turn leads them to always read mid-point regardless of the actual temp, I think that was the symptom. Anyway, it should be replaced with a newer green sensor if you still have the black.

Good luck!

Adam

[Manaz]

If you can afford it (or can do it yourself), a coolant flush would probably be a good thing.

Make sure you use proper VW certified coolant (G12+ I believe is the current certification), as other styles (the green stuff for instance) can cause corrosion and damage your engine. The colour is indicative but not proof that you have the right stuff...

[THELTD]

Take it to a mechanic and get the cooling system pressure tested. It may have a leak somewhere. This is quite common to occur from the rear engine water flange [on my 1.8T].

Oh yea, only put in VW coolant and nothing else. I think the last bottle i bought from VW was G12++. This supersedes G12+.

[EdwinConan]

Thank you, Rybky, umm, where is the sensor located?

[Transporter]

Take it to a mechanic and get the cooling system pressure tested. It may have a leak somewhere. This is quite common to occur from the rear engine water flange [on my 1.8T].

Oh yea, only put in VW coolant and nothing else. I think the last bottle i bought from VW was G12++. This supersedes G12+.

Just a tip; G12++ and G12+ can't be mixed, make sure you flush the cooling system completely before you put G12++ in it.

[EdwinConan]

Thank you for the tip, I bought a bottle of G12++ today, but haven't put in, because I don't know what type of coolant is already in the car. I'm thinking of just top off with water and nurse the car to mechanic, and ask them to check and change. Is this a good idea?

[Transporter]

The mixture of the coolant and distiled/demineralized water must be 50%, so you will need more coolant. Cooling system has to be bled of the trapped air, so taking it to mechanic is good choice.