Hi all,
Hoping someone might have some insight to offer.
For about a month now my Passat Wagon (B7 MY12 125TDI) has been running at an unusually low temp - the oil temp gauage typically showing 70-80 degrees, versus the more typical range I am used to of 90-100. I put it down to the lower external temperatures (can't say I remember what it normally runs in the cold sub-alpine Canberra/Braidwood areas) and didn't give it much more thought. Most driving is highway cruising at 100-110km/hr.
Last week as I went to leave work I got a low coolant warning. Stopped in at Autopro and bought a G12 equivalent pre-mix to top up. Put about 500mls in to bring it to the top of the mark in reservoir.
For that drive the temperature was 85 or higher IIRC.
I checked it a few days later, and it was down below the min mark again, so I topped up again. Most of the surfaces I measure on aren't perfectly flat. Took another 500mls almost.
Last night leaving a local shindig got the low coolant warning again - vehicle was not parked on an even close to flat surface, drove to a flatish surface and tipped in the remaining dribble of coolant.
This morning coolant is below the min level, but not drastically so (not low coolant warning for example).
Got the torch and tried to have a good look in the engine bay for a leak. The covers on the bottom make it hard for me to get under and look there. However, as best I can see no obvious external leaks, no signs of pink, white or othe residue.
Checked oil - it's about half way through the service cycle so is certainly blackish but this 5w-30 always seems so light and watery to me I can't tell if it is getting anything in it. Oil seemed a little fuller than it should be but could just be a generous top up at last service to allow for slight burn.
Anyway, took the car out onto the road and gave it some hard work to do (lots of accelerating/braking etc) - couldn't get the temp much above 80.
Headed back to home, pulled the dipstick. Slight steam coming from dipstick holder (very slight, possibly just condensation as hot air from dipstick tube hits cold air (8 degrees outside at the time).
So, before I head in to have someone look at this I would like to know if anyone can tell me if this obviously points to one problem or another. Is there an easy test I can do at home on the oil to see if the coolant is getting in there? Are there some easy to reach inspection points I should be checking for?
Any advice appreciated.
Regards,
Oz.
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Originally Posted by ozrcboy
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