Loosing Coolent

[Dave H]

my temperature light beeped and flashed on my dash today for the first time. I have been using my leon tdi se quite well since the last service 6500 mls ago, I opened up the manual and read what coolant was about (as never had to do a temp fix)

Just added water and will run for a few more mls before going to the garge to get the real stuff added..

Dare to say - relaxed driving for the time being. I just hope its been my style of driving and not a leak. However does seem to be a good volume of coolant to lose to sound the alarm! Any troubleshooting to where to check for likely leak points?

 

[andycupra]

my temperature light beeped and flashed on my dash today for the first time. I have been using my leon tdi se quite well since the last service 6500 mls ago, I opened up the manual and read what coolant was about (as never had to do a temp fix)

Just added water and will run for a few more mls before going to the garge to get the real stuff added..

Dare to say - relaxed driving for the time being. I just hope its been my style of driving and not a leak. However does seem to be a good volume of coolant to lose to sound the alarm! Any troubleshooting to where to check for likely leak points?

was it due to temperature or due to levels?

was the temperature gauge over 90?
as if its temperature then it could be the fans are not working, or water pump.

if its levels, then yes it could be a leak, or it could just be the sensors in the expansion tank not working properly. a very common fault.
what were the levels like when you topped up?

 

[Dave H]

Hi Andycupra

I started the engine and drove what could be described 2 seconds, then the red light on the temp gauge started flashing and I had an alarm. There was no temperature in the engine.

Therefore the alarm was due to very low level. When looking at the reservoir the level was a good distance below the minimum level line, barely any volume present (hence the alarm). I topped up water to the minimum level line.

I have driven 60 motorway miles now, and have a 150 mile journey this afternoon. I guess I will carry a bottle of water for the time being to top up.

I called the garage and asked if it is likely to be serious... he commented that it may be a water pump needing replaced, but commented that i would need to change to the correct coolant as the winter arrives. ( I have a service before this so will get it corrected)

I guess it is a leak somewhere... hope the garage will identify a cheap fix. I was a little scared hearing stories of head gaskets though! I guess not the car has only covered just over 80K miles

 

[andycupra]

has the level dropped during the 60 miles, and no offence but when was the last time the coolant was checked?

(just trying to get an idea of how fast its dropping. as if its fairly fast and it was head gasket you would most likely see the results via the exhaust)

failure of water pump is a common fault, (if it is this then its a timing belt off job, it wont be cheap. so get the timing belt and tensioner done at same time. also try to get the brass impellar type pump rather than the plastic one which is fitted as stock).
however faulty pump wouldnt usually lead to a leak.

a leak could be a number of things. rad, pipes, or a seal. if you mechanically minded and have time would be worth removing the undertray and taking a look.

good luck.