davewill Posted January 5, 2011 Report Posted January 5, 2011 Last Saturday after starting up the Gal, i got the "check coolant" warning light with a big STOP sign. I opened up the bonnet and sawa that there was no coolent in the "expansion bottle" Topped up with about 2 pints of coolent Used car Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday with no problems, then this morning same warning appeared again, and no coolent in "expansion bottle" Took to local garage who did a quick check. Topped up expansion bottle and let it run for 5 mins. I then drove the car to Birmingham and back (around 45 miles each way) Temp guage was normal (90) all the way. When i got back checked expansion bottle and no loss of water at all, it was the same level as when it was topped up in garage So any ideas as to where the coolent is going?? I would have thought if there was a hose leak i would see dripping fluid underneath, and there is nothing, or, if the car was using water the performance would be poor, which it is not The only work i have had done on the engine is the replacement of the "run on pump" but that was in October Advice gratefully received (as usual) Quote
chromedome Posted January 5, 2011 Report Posted January 5, 2011 It could be that an air lock has cleared itself. Keep an eye on it for a couple of days, also check engine oil for signs of water. Quote
RADIOTWO Posted January 5, 2011 Report Posted January 5, 2011 Last Saturday after starting up the Gal, i got the "check coolant" warning light with a big STOP sign. I opened up the bonnet and sawa that there was no coolent in the "expansion bottle" Topped up with about 2 pints of coolent Used car Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday with no problems, then this morning same warning appeared again, and no coolent in "expansion bottle" Took to local garage who did a quick check. Topped up expansion bottle and let it run for 5 mins. I then drove the car to Birmingham and back (around 45 miles each way) Temp guage was normal (90) all the way. When i got back checked expansion bottle and no loss of water at all, it was the same level as when it was topped up in garage So any ideas as to where the coolent is going?? I would have thought if there was a hose leak i would see dripping fluid underneath, and there is nothing, or, if the car was using water the performance would be poor, which it is not The only work i have had done on the engine is the replacement of the "run on pump" but that was in October Advice gratefully received (as usual) Hi Dave I had a similar problem with a skoda earlier in the year, no signs of a leak, so I dreaded the worse, checked the oil, and no oil in the water, but if I drove less that 60mph did not seem to loose any, but got on the motorway and 70 mph or more, then it just drank it, but no sign of any water leak. I eventually took it into the dealers (I had a warranty) and they traced the leak to the radiator, it leaked but because it was hot, it just evaporated, and just to mention no difference on the temp gauge, so new Rad and all is fine. Might not be your problem, but worth a check if you are still having problems. Radiotwo Quote
davewill Posted January 6, 2011 Author Report Posted January 6, 2011 Hi Dave I had a similar problem with a skoda earlier in the year, no signs of a leak, so I dreaded the worse, checked the oil, and no oil in the water, but if I drove less that 60mph did not seem to loose any, but got on the motorway and 70 mph or more, then it just drank it, but no sign of any water leak. I eventually took it into the dealers (I had a warranty) and they traced the leak to the radiator, it leaked but because it was hot, it just evaporated, and just to mention no difference on the temp gauge, so new Rad and all is fine. Might not be your problem, but worth a check if you are still having problems. Radiotwo Used the car again last night after checking coolent level was OK Did about 15 miles each way on journey This morning no coolent in "expansion tank" again, and no coolent on the ground under the car I checked the dipstick and lovely black oil on this, with no sign of water infestation Have booked it into garage on Monday for check Hopefully it is losing water rather than using water So over the last 3 months i have had problems with run on pump (replaced), Aux Heater not working (then started again after run on pump replaced)rear wiper likes -5c as it works, but doesnt like +5c or when it rains as it doesnt work, puncture, loss of power (getting worse)and it has had a major service!!! Anyone want to buy an 06, 1.9Tdi Auto, 90,000 miles in very good condition?? Quote
davewill Posted January 6, 2011 Author Report Posted January 6, 2011 Hi. Have you tried the 250mls Quote
gregers Posted January 6, 2011 Report Posted January 6, 2011 just a thought,you havnt suddenly developed a leak from the coolant pipes by the booster heater area by any chance,i know when mine was by passed by the numptys all my coolant leaked out from there? Quote
new nige Posted January 6, 2011 Report Posted January 6, 2011 Check the expansion cap, it can boil off if it isn Quote
seatkid Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 My guess is cylinder head cracked around exhaust ports. Remap or tuning box victim? Quote
davewill Posted January 7, 2011 Author Report Posted January 7, 2011 My guess is cylinder head cracked around exhaust ports. Remap or tuning box victim? Flippin heck Seatkid i hope not!! Not had any remap or tuning done on car Only work done was the Run On Pump replaced, and that caused the Aux Heater to fire back up as it was not working before, as the pump was knack'd Filled the expansion tank up yesterday afternoon, did around 20 miles last night, checked this morning and it hadn't lost a drop so its got me stumped Guess Monday in the garage will reveal all! Quote
seatkid Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 Only work done was the Run On Pump replaced, and that caused the Aux Heater to fire back up as it was not working before, as the pump was knack'dProbably leaking there. Water will run along hot pipe/body only when under load/moving so no leak visible as it evaporates easily. Check clips/pipes to run on pump tight - look for telltale signs - white deposits around clips or on pump body Quote
Dave-G Posted January 7, 2011 Report Posted January 7, 2011 It may or may not help: I had a tiny leak when under pressure from the water pipe coming from the bottom of the expansion tank, where it had chafed on a sharp edge of the fuel filter bracket. Worth having a feel of it next time your exploring things. Quote
philclemo Posted March 14, 2011 Report Posted March 14, 2011 Hi Guys Our 2003 Gal is losing coolant mysteriously too. I tried Radweld type remedy to no avail. Could not find any obvious drips anywhere until Sunday. I checked the level in the header tank, and it was down to the split line. Topped up and then found a dripping from what looks like a motorised valve fitted under the scuttle plate, it has two heater pipes connected to it. See pics below - what is it!!!! http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk265/philclemo/IMG_0707.jpgPicture from front, part located under scuttle http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk265/philclemo/IMG_0720.jpgPicture from underneath showing water loss Look forward to your thoughts! Phil Quote
turk90210 Posted March 14, 2011 Report Posted March 14, 2011 Good picture's phil, the item you ask about is the run on pump for the rear heater but what I would like to know is what is the wet line coming from above and dripping down onto the pump , from the picture it looks like you need to investigate above Quote
zorgman Posted March 14, 2011 Report Posted March 14, 2011 best stuff to buy is K-seal works mint, got a rad leak 3 years ago and its still going strong with it Quote
philclemo Posted March 15, 2011 Report Posted March 15, 2011 My word turk90210 what good eyes you have! I will investigate and let you know..... Quote
philclemo Posted March 21, 2011 Report Posted March 21, 2011 (edited) My word turk90210 what good eyes you have! I will investigate and let you know..... Since turk90210's reply, I have once again been investigating this problem. The water on the run on pump as shown in my previous pics has not re-occured so I'm presuming that was rainwater from the bonnet finding its own way. Last Friday morning I used a bottle of Radweld (the one that hopes to sort all leaks). I poured it in the expansion bottle, topped up with coolant and ran it for the prescribed time. Checked it, no apparent leaks. The Gal was used as usual for school and work trips that day and then a return trip to Warrington. So approx 70-80 miles covered. On it's return I checked under the bonnet. Level was as it had been but the battery tray was wet with coolant, and along the split line of the header tank and there was dripping underneath (along the chassis side rails). I started it up again, but switched the rear heater on, the level fell in the expansion tank. I decided to let it cool before I topped it up again. Next morning goes to top up, removes the cap with a release of pressure and gurgle and the level came back up again! It seems as though there is an airlock perhaps? Is there a bleed valve by any chance? The curious thing is that the temperature gauge never goes beyond the 90. Very puzzling! Phil Edited March 21, 2011 by philclemo Quote
chucks4x4 Posted March 21, 2011 Report Posted March 21, 2011 (edited) I would go to a garage & ask if they can put indicator fluid in the header to check that the head gasket hasn't gone. Easy two minute test the indicator reacts with combustion products & changes colour. At least you can rule the head out. It can pressurize the system without leaking into the oil, you may get more steam from exhaust but hard to tell this time of year. Ps could also be the radiator cores are blocked & could do with the system flushing/new radiator. We have found this with cars of various makes over the years. Edited March 21, 2011 by chucks4x4 Quote
chrispb123456 Posted March 21, 2011 Report Posted March 21, 2011 My word turk90210 what good eyes you have! I will investigate and let you know..... Since turk90210's reply, I have once again been investigating this problem. The water on the run on pump as shown in my previous pics has not re-occured so I'm presuming that was rainwater from the bonnet finding its own way. Last Friday morning I used a bottle of Radweld (the one that hopes to sort all leaks). I poured it in the expansion bottle, topped up with coolant and ran it for the prescribed time. Checked it, no apparent leaks. The Gal was used as usual for school and work trips that day and then a return trip to Warrington. So approx 70-80 miles covered. On it's return I checked under the bonnet. Level was as it had been but the battery tray was wet with coolant, and along the split line of the header tank and there was dripping underneath (along the chassis side rails). I started it up again, but switched the rear heater on, the level fell in the expansion tank. I decided to let it cool before I topped it up again. Next morning goes to top up, removes the cap with a release of pressure and gurgle and the level came back up again! It seems as though there is an airlock perhaps? Is there a bleed valve by any chance? The curious thing is that the temperature gauge never goes beyond the 90. Very puzzling! PhilIn a cooling system running normally the pressure created by steam and expansion always reduces to zero when engine cools down, if you still have pressure/gas in the cooling system when removing cap when cold then combustion gas is being forced into cooling circuit this gas remains compressed to the caps preset setting, you may notice a small quantity of coolant around the battery tray area.Have you tried running engine with filler cap removed, get someone to rev engine at 2000 rpm while you observe level, if you see bubbles rising in the bottle or water starts spewing out the filler then you have a problem confirm this by having the test as chucks has suggested. Quote
Torq Posted March 24, 2011 Report Posted March 24, 2011 I've had a mystery colant loss for the past two months, 2L every 400miles. Found it last week though. The main hose from the head to the bottom of the rad was not in it's clip at the bottom of the rad. This caused the hose to rub off one of the air con pipes which has worn a groove and a pin hole in the hose, that's where the water was leaking from. New hose from a vw dealer was Quote
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