MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => How to Guides / Troubleshooting => Topic started by: pomsteroonie on January 26, 2014, 07:53:54 pm

Title: Help losing coolant
Post by: pomsteroonie on January 26, 2014, 07:53:54 pm: Hi all

Hope one of you can help me out, I have a 2004 golf GT TDI with 109k on the clock and it has started to lose coolant.

Now from what I can see there is no water in the oil, I cannot notice a sweet smell from the exhaust like it is getting from the water jacket into the fuel and there is no smell in the cockpit or film on the window like it is coming in via the heater matrix.

I've checked everywhere i can see and I can't see any leaks, so I am totally stuck.

The only thing I can notice is she smokes a bit from cold but as soon as the temp hits 90 degrees there is no more smoke.

Any ideas, am I missing something ?

Kind regards

Chris
Title: Re: Help losing coolant
Post by: xjay1337 on January 26, 2014, 08:00:10 pm: Checked around the water pump housing? Bottom of the radiator... if no external leaks it's probably going to be porous cylinder head.
Title: Re:
Post by: jason_rmh on January 26, 2014, 08:08:45 pm: Egr valve / egr cooler is another one to check.
Jas
Title: Re: Help losing coolant
Post by: pomsteroonie on January 26, 2014, 08:56:35 pm: Quote from: xjay1337 on January 26, 2014, 08:00:10 pm
Checked around the water pump housing? Bottom of the radiator... if no external leaks it's probably going to be porous cylinder head.

What's a porous cylinder head?
Title: Re:
Post by: pomsteroonie on January 26, 2014, 08:58:54 pm: Quote from: jason_rmh on January 26, 2014, 08:08:45 pm
Egr valve / egr cooler is another one to check.
Jas

It does smell of exhaust fumes in the car when it's first fired up, I just put it down to a small blow that seals itself up once hot.

Where do I find the egr valve/cooler?
Title: Re: Help losing coolant
Post by: xjay1337 on January 26, 2014, 09:02:20 pm: :signLOL: :signLOL: :signLOL:

Common problem micro cracks form in the cylinder heads normally the cylinder walls and allows water into the combustion chamber.
as it does not mix with engine oil there will be no headgasket mayo .
Title: Re: Re: Re:
Post by: jason_rmh on January 26, 2014, 09:30:29 pm: Quote from: pomsteroonie on January 26, 2014, 08:58:54 pm
...

Where do I find the egr valve/cooler?
Cooler is mounted on the back of the engine block.
See my guide in the how to thread for pics.
Jas
Title: Re: Help losing coolant
Post by: pomsteroonie on January 27, 2014, 08:17:27 pm: Quote from: xjay1337 on January 26, 2014, 09:02:20 pm
:signLOL: :signLOL: :signLOL:

Common problem micro cracks form in the cylinder heads normally the cylinder walls and allows water into the combustion chamber.
as it does not mix with engine oil there will be no headgasket mayo .

Is there any way I can check for this?
Title: Re: Help losing coolant
Post by: Degudodger on February 01, 2014, 08:23:09 pm: Unfortunately it is a common problem, especially 2004-2006 on Rev A & B heads.

Best way to determine if coolant is getting into the cylinders is to take it to your local friendly garage and ask them to do a sniffer test.