MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: homesqueeze on March 31, 2014, 07:07:35 pm

Title: Slow coolant leak
Post by: homesqueeze on March 31, 2014, 07:07:35 pm
I've had a slow coolant leak for a while. I recently had a new radiator fitted as this was thought to be the problem. However I have noticed that I am still losing some coolant over time. It's possibly going down a bit slower now though. Cant see any evidence of leaks. Any thoughts on what it might be?
Title: Re: Slow coolant leak
Post by: martin@gti.co.uk on March 31, 2014, 08:43:41 pm
Might be leaking under timing belt cover..water pump seal..?? Try tracer and uv light..but antifreeze shut be visible..
Title: Re: Slow coolant leak
Post by: Coe on March 31, 2014, 09:35:24 pm
Could be coming from the water pump.

My car was mysteriously loosing coolant but couldn't work out where from. Did the timing belt and water pump and job done leak fixed. Leaking from the wp.
Title: Re: Slow coolant leak
Post by: homesqueeze on April 01, 2014, 06:22:47 pm
Cheers guys  :happy2:  I'm actually due a cambelt and pump change, so when I get this done it should clarify if thats the problem or not.
Title: Re: Slow coolant leak
Post by: Degudodger on April 01, 2014, 08:20:09 pm
Also check the two coolant pipes going into the cabin. There is a plastic connector on the firewall, the clip round it can loose tension and cause a small leak which is what happened to mine. I didn't really notice any loss of coolant but there was a pink buildup round it so coolant was escaping.
Title: Re: Slow coolant leak
Post by: CarlW on April 06, 2014, 11:53:50 pm
i also have a coolant leak and quite slow. One point it was completely empty and since i have topped it up i've had the car out 3 or 4 times getting the car warm each time. No noticeable leaks anywhere in the engine bay that i can see even though it was dark when looking but had a handy torch with me. Is there a list or some sort of diagram i could look at to find my way round the engine and look at these places the next time i take the car out?

It's dropped by about 4 - 5 mill since i topped it up over a period of around a week maybe..
Title: Re: Slow coolant leak
Post by: OSB on April 07, 2014, 09:57:29 am
i also have a coolant leak and quite slow. One point it was completely empty and since i have topped it up i've had the car out 3 or 4 times getting the car warm each time. No noticeable leaks anywhere in the engine bay that i can see even though it was dark when looking but had a handy torch with me. Is there a list or some sort of diagram i could look at to find my way round the engine and look at these places the next time i take the car out?

It's dropped by about 4 - 5 mill since i topped it up over a period of around a week maybe..

Try this stuff -  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UV-Dye-UV-Torch-Kit-Leak-Detection-Dye-For-Cooling-Antifreeze-System-RLD2-Ring-/230723938073?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35b837e719
I found a tiny leak on a friends Peugeot with it.
But as was said above - if the water pump is leaking it may not be easily visible.
Title: Re: Slow coolant leak
Post by: homesqueeze on April 07, 2014, 07:19:30 pm
i also have a coolant leak and quite slow. One point it was completely empty and since i have topped it up i've had the car out 3 or 4 times getting the car warm each time. No noticeable leaks anywhere in the engine bay that i can see even though it was dark when looking but had a handy torch with me. Is there a list or some sort of diagram i could look at to find my way round the engine and look at these places the next time i take the car out?

It's dropped by about 4 - 5 mill since i topped it up over a period of around a week maybe..

I think the radiator is the most obvious culprit to check first. Thats why mine got changed, but it doesn't seem to have cured it. Hopefully there aren't too many other places that leaks can come from!  :scared:
Title: Re: Slow coolant leak
Post by: CarlW on April 07, 2014, 07:27:24 pm
Spoke to a VW specialist who also owns a GTI and he said the radiators are quite common when there's slow leaks occurring so going to get the car pressure tested tomorrow morning i think and will see what happens from there.

Also if the radiator would need replacing. would it be the type of thing i could have done through my warranty? I have had the car two to three weeks and i was given a three month warranty as part of the deal which i was told would cover the engine and gearbox. I don't have the warranty booklet with me as i left it at home up north but just wondered in the worst case scenario would it be covered?

Thanks,

Carl.
Title: Re: Slow coolant leak
Post by: Gide76 on April 07, 2014, 10:51:47 pm
I'm sure you have checked but what about he t piece above the gearbox. Any pink colour on the gearbox?
I had this done when my thermostat was replaced.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Slow coolant leak
Post by: homesqueeze on April 08, 2014, 06:12:57 pm
Spoke to a VW specialist who also owns a GTI and he said the radiators are quite common when there's slow leaks occurring so going to get the car pressure tested tomorrow morning i think and will see what happens from there.

Also if the radiator would need replacing. would it be the type of thing i could have done through my warranty? I have had the car two to three weeks and i was given a three month warranty as part of the deal which i was told would cover the engine and gearbox. I don't have the warranty booklet with me as i left it at home up north but just wondered in the worst case scenario would it be covered?

Thanks,

Carl.

Hard to say, every warranty is different. They might call it wear and tear and wriggle out of it. Its certainly worth a try though.