Coolant header tank level

[Lee M]

Hi people,

Got in the car this morning and the coolant warning level beeped at me 3 times and flashed. Read the book and it said, high temp, low level or cooling fan.
The level was just below the top line on the side of the header tank, so i topped it up with litrally a glass of water (to just above) and the warning dissappeard!!.......is it really this sensative?

How frequent do others have to top up? this is the first time in my two years of ownership, is this normal?


Cheers

Lee

 

[Dave H]

I had this a few weeks ago, however it was becasue I had no coolant in my tank... it was very very low! I topped up with water to minimum level mark and it dropped below after 1 weeks driving (300mls)

i have identified a radiator leak and now need to get a new radiator installed to solve this.

 

[skahigh]

hmm, i would get that checked out, the tank at the top is sort of an overflow so if there was plenty in there it might be a fan issue? could just be a temporary glitch, wait and see if ti does it again maybe?

 

[CRAIGLCR]

keep your eye on it probably a faulty sensor in the expansion tank. it will be covered under warranty if you still have it!!!

 

[wild willy]

Mate it is very sensitive.
I replaced my turbo yesterday and hence replaced my coolant. I filled to the correct level only to have a **** fit 10 mins latter on the m4 with the coolant light beeping and flashing. I thought i had lost all my coolant only to find that it had dropped an inch below the min level. A cupfull of distilled water from the boot remedied it. Its been fine since and i doubt you'll have any future probs.

 

[CRAIGLCR]

when the lights flash n beeps at you i take it the temp gauge is right over and the fans kick in????? mine did this when the dreaded water pump impeller failed!!!!!

 

[andycupra]

very common fault.
the sensors go.

you can 'get around' it by topping it up like you have, or even by turning ignition off then on again. or drive away straight away can often prevent this.

but at the end of the day its the sensor thats faulty.

some have said they have cleaned the sensors in the header tank and fixed it.
if its under warranty get it replaced, which be a new header tank as its one bit.

 

[Big_daddy]

Can a faulty temp sensor hold down the power than?

 

[evo2345]

I noticed yesterday my coolant bottle seems to be leaking from underneath, opened the bonnet and there was hardly any coolant left in it at all yet i didnt get any warning lights. Anyone else had problems with the coolant bottle splitting???

 

[richybigman]

Can you use normal water in the coolant? From what i was told i have to use the special stuff from the stealer or is that just so they get more money?

 

[Lee M]

Hi all,

Cheers for the replies.......its been fine since i topped it up, but its in the garage in a few weeks for some final warranty work before it runs out. I will get them to sort it for me then if they agree.


Cheers

Lee

 

[andycupra]

Can you use normal water in the coolant? From what i was told i have to use the special stuff from the stealer or is that just so they get more money?

you can use water temporarily.

after that, you can get two types of coolant.

pre-mixed, no need to add water, just put the mix straight in as its as the correct mixture levels already.

or coolant that requires diluting. read the instructions and dilute as specified. usually about 50%

on top of that there are usualy two colours:
pink, - ok for 5 years. ( get this stuff)
blue - ok for two years.

either way check on pack that it satisfies VW/vag specs.
the dealer pink stuff is called G12, and if you get it from there it needs diluting.

when diluting you can use normal tap water, however if you want to do the job 100% you need to use distilled water.- not many people do. - Or use pre mixed

if you have added water temporarily you need to drain the system first or the mixture levels will be out.
and put heater on when refilling so whole system gets used.

 

[richybigman]

Thought so, i have the pink stuff at home. Cheers for the tip of diluting, never realised i had to.

 

[flares]

I had a dodgy sensor in the coolant bottle , £31 inc fitting & coolant . The red light on the temp gauge kept flashing & beeping when the car was cold , the coolant levels were ok