Coolant leaks ('05 2.0 FSI) (Sydney)

[mk5 golf]

Hi, I bought my 2005 golf fsi in feb and had a very similar problem. It was ok the first week but after that the coolant warning light would go on once or twice a week and I had to top up my coolant. My local mechanic found a leak apparently in the "thermostat housing" and it was just above the head gasket so it looked like a head gasket leak. Cost me about $500 to fix, $165 of it in parts, rest in labor. When I bought it, I did the usual checks for head gasket leak: ie check oil filler cap for gray crap, and check for white smoke in the exhaust and there was none so I would've been really pissed if it was a head gasket leak. It may be you have the same problem as mine. Just a thought.

Thanks for the info/advice. The inspection mechanic who has done the report also told me he has seen quite a few with the same problem in Sydney. I will mention the thermostat area to be checked at the service as well. I haven't noticed the temp change or coolant loss yet but the liquid on the floor was oily - probably a mixture of coolant and engine oil.

[jmaxwell47]

Just a quick question along these lines, if they pressure test it, is it possible to make the leak bigger? The mother-in-law is in from the states and i'd prefer not to have to deal with it as well as every service centre seems to be closed until a the 2nd or 6th of January. Also can anyone describe where the leaks came from. Mine seems to be leaking from the back of the engine just above the exhaust. I get a few drips that make it to the garage floor but most of the other fluid turns to smoke. I hope to god its just a few leaky tubes or t-fittings and its not a head gasket or anything worse. There is a ton of crusty residue around the spot so hopefully we can start there when the pressure test is done. Anybody know of a good mechanic that works on the Vdubs in the lower north shore area and will be open before the new year? thanks for the help in advance folks!

[Umai Naa!!]

Trouble this time of year is getting hold of parts, as a lot of suppliers shut down.

Common leak on these is from the outlet flange on the transmission end of the cylinder head. It'll either run down the front or back of the transmission, depending on where it's parked.

Other place to look is the radiator. The locating spigots are part of the end tanks, and are quite vulnerable to knocks. This eventually leads to the tanks separating from the core, and leaking.

[jmaxwell47]

Here are the pics from the leaky golf mk5. The rusted tube clamps are from the lower t-connector in the 2nd pic. You should be able to make out the rust on the clips from even the 2nd higher shot. I tried to take a pic of further back to see if there may be a leak from the back but let me know what you guys think. Any ideas are welcomed, those clips are a pain to move around and that didn't fix my leak.
Cheers!!

[jmaxwell47]

Thanks Umai. I'm fairly certain its not the radiator as there is no leaks in the from, it comes from the back of the engine. It could be the outlet flange but I've got to get under the car to figure that out and left all my jackstands and things back in the states and nobody in the block has some to borrow. Gotta wait for the mechanic i guess

[buzuki]

The coolant flange on the head commonly leak, as a result it tracks along the head gasket and drips down the back.

Id be getting that checked.

Ive done 1 head gasket on a vw in 7 years. Its hard to think it would be that. Although it was on the same engine as yours