Coolant reservoir draining dry on engine start

[mr mojo risin]

The other day I got a loud beep and 'STOP - CHECK COOLANT' display on my 2007 2.0l TDI BKD. I pulled over and checked the coolant, it seemed fine. Started up and no warnings etc. Read that sometimes the sensors go in the reservoir and figured that must be it. Got another warning the following day and drove home regardless. Tried to start it up the next night to get to work and I got a big clunk then nothing. Tried to start it again and not even the clunk. Check under the bonnet and the reservoir was dry. After work I went and picked up some coolant, filled it up and was very surprised when it only took a litre and a bit. The car started fine (my worries of a seized motor were behind me), turned it off, checked the reservoir and much to my surprise it was empty again. I put another litre or so of coolant in (to the max line), started it again and it drained it again..

I can't see any leaks and there doesn't seem to be any milky stuff under the oil cap. Any idea what might be up with it?

I should add that recently I changed the fuel filter, accidentally spilt some fuel on the serpentine belt and even though I tried to wipe it down it tore shortly after. I replaced it and everything seemed fine. Also, I've had the usual EGR faults since I've had the car and rather than taking it apart/cleaning it I ordered the EGR and cooler delete from Darkside which was going to be installed tomorrow.

Any help would be much appreciated.

[gldgti]

sounds like theres a leak to me...

Funnily nough, I have the same engine and mine told me I needed coolant the other day too - but it only needed about 100ml to get up to the line and I figure it was just because of contraction due to winder coming on properly.

[mr mojo risin]

I originally put it down to cold weather as well. It was around 8 degrees the first time it popped up.

I'll have to have another look tomorrow. If it is a leak it's strange I couldn't see it considering its emptying out the entire reservoir when I start the engine. Hopefully it's something that simple though.

[mr mojo risin]

Dropped it into VW Village today. After looking over it they've found water in the head - and the expensive nightmare begins..

[Ryeman]

I've heard of Mercedes genuine parts being sourced from HK delivered for half dealers prices.........VW?
just a thought.
Saw him today, it was a fan couple component for his ML270....fitted perfectly by his local merc specialist.

[gldgti]

headgasket isnt that difficult a job. 2 amateur blokes can lick it in a weekend easy.... aaanyway..

where exactly did they find coolant? "In the head" isnt really in the wrong place! I'm assuming you mean in one of the cylinders?

did it always have the pink G12 coolant in it?

[Greg Roles]

I was going to say head gasket...

[mr mojo risin]

headgasket isnt that difficult a job. 2 amateur blokes can lick it in a weekend easy.... aaanyway..

where exactly did they find coolant? "In the head" isnt really in the wrong place! I'm assuming you mean in one of the cylinders?

did it always have the pink G12 coolant in it?

Yes, sorry. In two of the cylinders - matters got worse, there was actually two cracks in the block. George at VW Village said it looked as though it had repeatedly overheated, badly, and in the ten years he has been working on Jetta's he has never seen anything like it and has never had to change out the whole block. It did have the pink coolant and since purchase I had constantly monitored both the oil and coolant levels. Also, never in the time I owned the car had the gauge gone over half or even got there particularly fast. Lucky me urgh.

[Ryeman]

Ouch!(not enough ouchs)
Ouch!

[Greg Roles]

I see a BKD engine on ebay right now in Sydney for a grand with 124thou on it.

HERE.

[mr mojo risin]

Ouch!(not enough ouchs)
Ouch!

Tell me about it, I've done much cursing over the last couple of days..

I see a BKD engine on ebay right now in Sydney for a grand with 124thou on it.

HERE.

I was lucky enough to pick up this bad boy this morning, $800 with 64700km. A small victory.

[Ryeman]

Well done ..... Oh yes!

[jets]

George at VW Village said it looked as though it had repeatedly overheated, badly, and in the ten years he has been working on Jetta's he has never seen anything like it and has never had to change out the whole block.

That's reassuring for the rest of us. I also have a BKD & was starting to be concerned about the possibility of future problems.
Good news about the engine you have found. Post back how it all goes.

[Ryeman]

It'd be interesting to know what servicing was done or missed to cause such a catastrophic failure.
I believe there is an attitude that if it starts, it doesn't need a service and that the sheer reliability of the modern car its its greatest weakness.
my ex's car appeared when my son (visiting fm London) drove up on a visit and he said a 'red light' kept coming up on hills.......it took 4 litres to get a 'full' reading on the dipstick ......the ex thinks if it starts - she'll be ok.
Most kids of today haven't got a clue.

[mr mojo risin]

It'd be interesting to know what servicing was done or missed to cause such a catastrophic failure.
I believe there is an attitude that if it starts, it doesn't need a service and that the sheer reliability of the modern car its its greatest weakness.
my ex's car appeared when my son (visiting fm London) drove up on a visit and he said a 'red light' kept coming up on hills.......it took 4 litres to get a 'full' reading on the dipstick ......the ex thinks if it starts - she'll be ok.
Most kids of today haven't got a clue.

I usually service every 5000-8000km's, but without a service history from the previous owner I guess it was impossible to know just how often he did his servicing. The condition was fair for the 150ish km's he had on it. He was a car guy though, and more importantly a VW guy (he had a drag-ready type 4 that he had built and another one almost complete - they were incredible), I'd like to think he also knew how to look after the Jetta. I only owned the car for one service, which wasn't even due yet - but had a bored Monday that needed a activity.

It would be great if this issue had a exact diagnosis, I'd love to know exactly what went down and why. Cars