2.0 fsi leaking coolant

[Davidmangnall]

Hi guys.
My 2005 2.0 fsi is leaking coolant. Well now is mainly leaking demineralised water cos the bottle of $31.95 (&#1285451 litre of special VW coollant is now gone
Ive been replacing it with a mix of coolant/demineralised water for a few weeks now but its just getting silly now.
The thing is, we (my partner and my 8 month old baby) can’t afford another reaming at a dealer or a mechanic.
We have spent about 3k on this thing over the past year and a half, and still have the cv joints, a cracked windscreen(not severe but still its another thing thats the best part of a G), and now this to contend with.
We need this car to keep running as we are not in a positon to buy another just yet...
So, what Im getting at is, i have noticed a few posts on here where guys have mentioned quoted prices and then another will come on and say “thats a rip i couldve done it for this or speak to me etc” so thats what I’m looking for.
Anyone that can repair this and knows what they are doing feel free to get in touch.
I’m in the inner west if Sydney too if that helps.

[Umai Naa!!]

Any idea where you think it might be leaking from? i.e which side of the car?

Should be a dried-up pink trail somewhere.

[Davidmangnall]

Pretty much right at the front/front left. Kinda hard to say because when i see it leaking its always just dripping down the lowest point.

[Umai Naa!!]

Possibly the radiator.

The locating spigots that secure it at the bottom, are quite vulnerable to knocks, and eventually cause the end-tanks on the radiator to separate from the core. Not a cheap, nor simple job to replace.

Worth getting it pressure-tested to confirm.

[Davidmangnall]

Pretty much right at the front/front left. Kinda hard to say because when i see it leaking its always just dripping down the lowest point.

[tigger73]

You'll have to take the rain tray/cover off from under the engine and take a look up to see where the coolant is leaking from.

Otherwise take it to a VW specialist (independent) workshop and get them to put it up on a hoist.

Depends whether you're up for DIY and saving $ or you want to pay someone else to diagnose/fix your problem.

[feenix74]

Hi guys.
My 2005 2.0 fsi is leaking coolant. Well now is mainly leaking demineralised water cos the bottle of $31.95 (&#1285451 litre of special VW coollant is now gone

The 1 litre of VW coolant should be a concentrate. There should be instructions on the side of the bottle on the proportion to mix with water to fill the reservoir. I was also told by a old VW fanatic that basically if the mixed coolant has colour and when you rub it between your fingers it is a bit oily (make sure you wash your hands before handling any food or the baby) then it is has enough anti-freeze/anti-boil to work.

Good luck with finding the leak and repairing it.

[Unzippy]

Do you get Radweld over here? Might be a bodge enough to get you by...

[Umai Naa!!]

Pretty much right at the front/front left. Kinda hard to say because when i see it leaking its always just dripping down the lowest point.

Send me a PM, and I'll see what I can do for you.

[ian]

If your desperate , a short solution might be a Radiator sealant Which might be the best solution ,There are plenty of options out there
call into Repco or Supercheap ,

[Umai Naa!!]

I wouldn't recommend them as they tend to block any small diameter coolant hoses the engine may have.

[JustCruisn]

I wouldn't recommend them as they tend to block any small diameter coolant hoses the engine may have.

It could be a few things. Water pump failure - when was it last replaced, should be done with timing belt.
Also look for split junctions or leaks at hose joins.
Could even be a head gasket, have you checked the condition of the oil ?

If you are going to leave it a while then get some red coolant from supercheap auto, I think Nulon make one that is ok for VW, will be a lot cheaper than the dealer, always mix with demineralised water.

[iampivot]

I had a leak once in my mk5, it turned out to be the reservoir itself that had a crack. Except that time when coolant was leaking into some sensors and corroded the entire engine wiring harness, but that's another story...