Losing radiator coolant

[203132]

Hey,
I have done 45,000km on my 2009 tiguan and just did a service a few days ago. The mechanic told me that there was only around 30% coolant left! He was kind of suprised so wondering if you guys have any experience or knowledge on this?

What can cause big losses in coolant?

[Transporter]

He most likely meant that the concentration of the coolant was 30%. The minimum VW recommended is 40%. Did you top up the coolant or did your mechanic topped up using water only?

I would recommend that you get the water pump checked and cooling system pressure tested. Coolant leaking from the water pump would leave the trail of pink/red residue on the engine, visible from under the neath. If you don't find the leak, than drain 1.5L from the cooling system and replace it with 1.5L VAG coolant (available from your dealer).

[203132]

I haven't touched the coolant since I've bought it but I've had it serviced at VW all the time. I will check it after the weather calms down a bit. Thanks.
Btw if anybody here drives a auto TSI, have any of you noticed that the car holds the gear longer than usual after some enthusiastic driving in normal mode? (not sport) For me it's always stuck in 4th for a long time and doesn't want to go to 5th. Goes back to normal after changing to up with +/-.

[Umai Naa!!]

Tiguans have always been a bit up-and-down with their coolant.

The level usually drops a few times below minimum in the early stages of life, as they burp out the air bubbles. The topping up with water does dilute the mixture a little, though.

[Transporter]

That's truth, I topped up 250ml in ours after 1st week of driving. It's been good since.

[jctee]

Thanks Transporter, that is what mine has done in the first 1000K, now I'm not so concerned.
One question - I took the car for a check on the coolant level - the mechanic filled the tank to about 60mm over the MAX level line - when the car was hot. The manual says in BOLD print "Do not fill over the top line" - could this create a problem ? or is it just "burping out the bubbles" as Umai Naa says ??

[Transporter]

I would remove the excess of the coolant (only do it when engine is cold).

[MGV]

My coolant reservoir seems to like it sitting on the 'minimum' mark...
Have topped it up a tad, twice in 22000, only with <250ml or so, but it seems to fall back to the low mark, then stay there. Anyone else notice this?

[Transporter]

My coolant reservoir seems to like it sitting on the 'minimum' mark...
Have topped it up a tad, twice in 22000, only with <250ml or so, but it seems to fall back to the low mark, then stay there. Anyone else notice this?

Is that with the engine at the operating temperature?

[Umai Naa!!]

Thanks Transporter, that is what mine has done in the first 1000K, now I'm not so concerned.
One question - I took the car for a check on the coolant level - the mechanic filled the tank to about 60mm over the MAX level line - when the car was hot. The manual says in BOLD print "Do not fill over the top line" - could this create a problem ? or is it just "burping out the bubbles" as Umai Naa says ??

Perhaps the technician is pre-empting that the coolant level may drop a little again, thus saving you the inconvenience of returning to the dealership for a top-up.

[MGV]

Is that with the engine at the operating temperature?

Transporter, close to operating temp. Maybe 10 minutes after i turn it off. Definately warm.

[Transporter]

Transporter, close to operating temp. Maybe 10 minutes after i turn it off. Definately warm.

Get it checked then, since it is a closed system and you shouldn't be losing any coolant.

[MGV]

Transporter, or someone?

Just bought a bottle of G12 plus plus for coolant reservoir top-up. ($21 for 1.5l) From the little pictorial instruction on the bottle, i should dilute at a ratio of 2 parts additive to 3 parts water. However, the dude at the VW shop parts counter said just put it in straight... I tend to think the pictorial on the bottle would be the way to go... Thoughts?

On a side note, the book says to check the level when engine is COLD. No mention of using de-mineralised water, either? I will be keeping a closer eye on usage after this top-up...

On another side note, if anyone in Melbourne wants a top-up & doesn't want to buy a 1.5l bottle, let me know!

[Transporter]

Transporter, or someone?

Just bought a bottle of G12 plus plus for coolant reservoir top-up. ($21 for 1.5l) From the little pictorial instruction on the bottle, i should dilute at a ratio of 2 parts additive to 3 parts water. However, the dude at the VW shop parts counter said just put it in straight... I tend to think the pictorial on the bottle would be the way to go... Thoughts?

On a side note, the book says to check the level when engine is COLD. No mention of using de-mineralised water, either? I will be keeping a closer eye on usage after this top-up...

On another side note, if anyone in Melbourne wants a top-up & doesn't want to buy a 1.5l bottle, let me know!

You can top up the small amount like 1/2L or something straight from the bottle, since the factory coolant is 40% and you can increase that concentration right up to 65% (more than that and you boil it!). I would just make a 50% mix and top up with it, also use only distilled Or demineralized water.

[MGV]

Thanks, Miro! Sounds like a plan... Shall do.
On yet another side note, when i unscrewed the reservoir cap yesterday, with a slightly warmish engine, i noticed a suction type of sound, & the level increased around 20mm to about the half-way point between the high & low marks... Maybe we're supposed to check the level with the cap off!