Leaking Coolant After Antifreeze Change?

[markie]

Last week I changed the coolant on the car, as it had never been done.

 

I undid the bottom radiator connection as well as the two heater pipes towards the rear of the car to let the old coolant out.

 

Refilled with correct amount on antifreeze, topped it up as advised on this forum by leaving cap off, running engine, etc.

 

What seems to be happening now, one week on, is that the coolant level in the header tank seems to be dropping by approx 2-3mm per day. Filled it up to maximum line yeterday evening and this morning it had dropped by above amount.

 

I have checked all the places where I removed pipes and they are watertight. I also jacked car up and looked along all pipe runs, as best as I could, and no leaks anywhere that I can see.

 

Is this normal after an antifreeze change - it is a long pipe run on these cars and yet it doesn't have any bleeding places, so wondering if there is some air still in there, as I definitely cannot see any noticeable leaks?

 

Any advice appreciated.

Edited August 21, 2009 by markie

[Mirez]

Last week I changed the coolant on the car, as it had never been done.

 

I undid the bottom radiator connection as well as the two heater pipes towards the rear of the car to let the old coolant out.

 

Refilled with correct amount on antifreeze, topped it up as advised on this forum by leaving cap off, running engine, etc.

 

What seems to be happening now, one week on, is that the coolant level in the header tank seems to be dropping by approx 2-3mm per day. Filled it up to maximum line yeterday evening and this morning it had dropped by above amount.

 

I have checked all the places where I removed pipes and they are watertight. I also jacked car up and looked along all pipe runs, as best as I could, and no leaks anywhere that I can see.

 

Is this normal after an antifreeze change - it is a long pipe run on these cars and yet it doesn't have any bleeding places, so wondering if there is some air still in there, as I definitely cannot see any noticeable leaks?

 

Any advice appreciated.

 

Its quite possible there is still air in the system - you need to refil it very very slowly. When I did mine I had the same thing for about 2 weeks until it settled.

[markie]

Thanks, so to clarify what you said, was yours dropping daily like mine at about the amount I stated?

[seatkid]

In my experience vw cooling systems always lose water when filled to the maximum mark. They always settle at the minimum mark or just below. As long as its around the minimum mark its OK.

[Mirez]

Thanks, so to clarify what you said, was yours dropping daily like mine at about the amount I stated?

 

Yes, it would only drop when the car was used not when it was sitting and dropped more the further it had beed Ie, a short 5 min journey it didn't really move yet a 30 min one it would go down 2 maybe 3mm. Stopped after about 2 weeks.

[markie]

Thanks for replies...will keep an eye on it, but hoping it will be o.k.

[markie]

Just to update this, coolant level is now stable and not dropping, but took over a week of filling each day to get it like this !

[gregers]

thanx for letting us know. Edited September 2, 2009 by gregers

[Mych]

thanx for letting us know.

What type of antifreeze did you use? and where did you get it from?

My galaxy is now close to 12 years old and I on't think the coolant has ever been changed. It's currently blue in colour. What tpe of antifreeze should I use if I change it?