Coolant levels

[mythik]

That's about right - I mixed one bottle of G12++ with water in the 5L container, the added a bit the next day. I've got 3 remaining bottles, one of which I'll use when upgrading to the Audi S3 intercooler.

You're in Melbourne, happy to take one of those off ya hands! PM.

[Vagabond]

Hi everyone,

My golf GTI has < 4000km on it and I noticed the coolant ducking below the MIN line, although no light etc as of yet. Hopefully just the burp.

I rang the service centre up and they advised just to add some water to it. ... I'm not sure that that sounds like such a good idea - surely there'd be impurities etc ?

I would prefer to top up with a real coolant - what brand/sort do people recommend and would I be able to find it at supercheap, repco, etc?

I'm about to go on a long drive this weekend so ideally wanted to ask a mate to pick it up for me whilst I'm at work so I can top up this evening before I leave.

[Ryan_R]

You want the VW G12++ coolant which you can purchase from any dealer.

[Diesel_vert]

Yep, only use genuine coolant.

Part numbers:

G 012 A8G M1 (1.5 L) : coolant concentrate
G 012 774 M2 (1.5 L) : coolant solution, pre-diluted with 50% water

The minimum coolant concentration is 40%. If the factory-fill concentration is at 50% (that's the impression I'm getting, but I could be wrong), then topping up with distilled water will be fine.

[Vagabond]

Yep, only use genuine coolant.

Part numbers:

G 012 A8G M1 (1.5 L) : coolant concentrate
G 012 774 M2 (1.5 L) : coolant solution, pre-diluted with 50% water

The minimum coolant concentration is 40%. If the factory-fill concentration is at 50% (that's the impression I'm getting, but I could be wrong), then topping up with distilled water will be fine.

Ahh ok - thanks for that. I'll have to pick some up with my next service.

In the meantime I might top up with a little bit of distilled water - sounds better than tap water!!

[mythik]

Just to add some more info:

I picked up a bottle of G 012 A8G M1 (1.5 L) : coolant concentrate (G12++) from Ryan_R (thanks again for that mate!)

Brought my GTI back to 50% concentration. Easy win. I figured at the same time I'd check the Polo TSI (MY11) as it's near 10k on the clock. Sure enough, it was a few mm below the LOW mark on a level surface when cold. Out came the G12++ & distilled water for a top up.

I suspect both cars just had a bit of air in the cooling systems as the reduction in both overflow bottles was near identical.

Oh, and anyone wondering if you can mix G12 (Pink) with G12++ (Purple), the answer is yes. It will make the car more manly.

Food for thought.

[kash_0]

I had the coolant warning pop up yesterday. Called up VW and was advised to top up with water as the coolant is slightly concentrated from factory.

Topped it up with water to the minimum line. Car is in for a service in two weeks so will advise them of that, must have a slow leak somewhere.

[brad]

Is there a Supercheap/Repco/Autobarn, etc nearby? Just ask one of the guys there or see if they have a listing (not that coolant needs to be as specific as oil or anything)

Just top it up with demineralised/distilled water unless it's heaps.

The correct coolant is VW G12+++ & I wouldn't mix it with anything else.

[Ryan_R]

Yeah thanks for quoting that old post - fixed it.

[brad]

Yeah thanks for quoting that old post - fixed it.

Sorry. Didin't notice the cobwebs around it. I feel unclean gravedigging like that.

[VeeDub23]

Hi.

I've been driving my brothers 07 Gti the last week and have received the coolant warning light twice. On Tuesday I pulled over after 5 min driving and checked the level and it was between max and min level. When I restarted the car, warning gone.

Received the warning again today. Checked level as soon as I backed out my drive and on level road. Again, level the same. So I drove approx 30 mins and monitored the temp which did not go above 90. Happened to turn off the car at a set of lights and on restart warning gone. I rang vw service and they simply said monitor it and top up with any coolant from retail auto shops!

Will try to go vw tomorrow.

[Transporter]

I rang vw service and they simply said monitor it and top up with any coolant from retail auto shops!

Will try to go vw tomorrow.

Very unprofessional to say something like that. I hope you didn't follow that. It's much safer to top up the small amount with just clean water, however distiled or demineralised water is better. If the level doesn't go down and the alarm is still ON suspect faulty coolant level switch.

[DeanoTDI]

115'000km and Coolant/Oil ran out

Hey All,

Have had my 103TDI Golf now for just over 3 years, and around 112,000km whilst driving i got a Low Oil warning, I checked the dip stick and it was critically low. Obviously topped it up immediately and then filled it more, to last until next change at 115k (6yr 120k) service.

At the service they made mention that the Oil is possibly leaking into the Coolant system, and to monitor. I have not noticed a creamy build up or anything different in the Coolant reservoir, however last night whilst driving the Temperature warning went off (flashing) and said to "Check Coolant Level, Owners manual" on the MFD. I checked it as soon as i could, and noticed the Reservoir was almost empty.

Does anyone know if at the 120k service (major+DSG) VW should've done a Coolant change? I don't think they did, and if so it's only 118k now (3k after service) why on earth would I have lost all that coolant? Some people are saying it's possibly a cracked head, yet It could just be a leak in the Coolant system, but could It also be related to the Oil supposedly leaking into the Coolant system?

This is sort of pissing me off, as the car is so soon out of warranty and it's developed this. The only drama it ever had mechanically during warranty was a secondary water pump requiring replacement.

The last workshop it was in was Sutherland Volkswagen and i'm really starting to doubt their service quality. I just want the full picture, and not nit picking things from a mechanic so they can add on each time I go to make more and more money out of me.

[stickshift3000]

If you're not happy with the vw service then you could take it to a reputable independant.

Either way I think you need to get to the bottom of your problem.

Your problems might not be related, my mkv tdi uses a bit of oil which is normal so I top up between service intervals.

[gldgti]

Given the things you have described, I would suspect the oil cooler/warmer (heat exchanger) that is part of the filter housing. Its a little heat exchanger that coolant flows through and so does the oil.....

Also, see thread in diesel section about leaking flange in the EGR circuit causing coolant leakage.