Dealer Service

[Maverick]

i would have thought a top up should be as a mix of water/coolant in the right %. still not impressed with just water.

The mix in the car is higher than required for Australia so it can be "watered down". I assume they didn't charge for the top up and I guess if they added coolant it's something they have to charge for.

They also have a refractometer (or something like that) they use to measure the percentage of coolant to water. They may have checked it with that as well.

I considered that but dont forget the polo is a $17k car not a $50k. by the time he sells it is will be worth a LOT less ( not exactly keeping it pristine )

That's true and I guess most people buying a car that cheap after 5 years wouldn't care about where it's serviced.

On the other hand it can still be expensive if things go wrong with it.

Also they insist they are using the correct oil. So if VW deny any warranty claims i would think they need to prove the oil was incorrect, or at least be able to demonstrate an issue with the oil.

VW are pretty strict on the oils for a reason so if something goes wrong with the engine they'll check the service history, if they see ultratune you can bet they'll be doing a oil test and/or looking at the failure in detail. I'd check they used the correct coolant as well as it's a specific one that should be used in the Polo.

[tryingavw]

The mix in the car is higher than required for Australia so it can be "watered down".

not according to the [passat] manual which says ALWAYS add coolant in the right %. ( my MB manual says exactly the same)

Also the manual states that the coolant is also an anti-corrosive and needs the correct %- so its not just for antifreeze they add the coolant. it also RAISES the boiling point ( good for auusie conditions)

( my MB manual says exactly the same including the corrosion & Boiling point comment)

So I maintain the dealer just adding water was lame. and then putting it on us for $600. No doubt the VW protocols are all good but it still gets down to the guys in the workshop/ management etc. not so.

I forgot to mention, my brother has a Touraeg which he has serviced there and he has many stories of their ineptitude. probably clouded my thinking as well. nuff said.

[Transporter]

not according to the [passat] manual which says ALWAYS add coolant in the right %. ( my MB manual says exactly the same)

Also the manual states that the coolant is also an anti-corrosive and needs the correct %- so its not just for antifreeze they add the coolant. it also RAISES the boiling point ( good for auusie conditions)

( my MB manual says exactly the same including the corrosion & Boiling point comment)

So I maintain the dealer just adding water was lame. and then putting it on us for $600. No doubt the VW protocols are all good but it still gets down to the guys in the workshop/ management etc. not so.

I forgot to mention, my brother has a Touraeg which he has serviced there and he has many stories of their ineptitude. probably clouded my thinking as well. nuff said.

Adding 1/4L of distilled water will not change the concentration too much and corrosion protection will stay in safe zone. Especially, if the coolant is going to be changed soon.
Generally mixture 33%-50% will provide adequate protection to the cooling system and mixture over 60% will cause coolant to boil sooner, so that's also why your manual is saying always use right coolant concentration.

Never use mineral water or chlorinated water in the cooling system.

[tryingavw]

polo warranty issue- after ultra tune service

Well the polo's slow coolant leak continued after the recent service so my son has taken it back to get the leak fixed.

it turned out to be a thermostat leak near the bottom of the radiator and was fixed under warranty, (had it for 2 days) no charge they even cleaned his car.

they also changed the coolant because its a new color.

If they looked at the books and saw it was serviced a week before, nothing was said.

A relief all round i guess.