MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => How to Guides / Troubleshooting => Topic started by: dansmith180 on December 09, 2014, 03:14:44 pm

Title: Coolant leak
Post by: dansmith180 on December 09, 2014, 03:14:44 pm
Hi guys, got a coolant leak coming from right hand side of the engine (opposite side to the coolant reservoir) I can see coolant on the gearbox but can't see where it comes from. It's been intermittent for a while, seems to be fine for 2 weeks and then lose about 300ml the next week but is getting worse.

I've checked for head gasket signs and there's no overheating problems. Any ideas guys? Thanks.
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: lukemk5gti on December 09, 2014, 03:31:59 pm
Hi guys, got a coolant leak coming from right hand side of the engine (opposite side to the coolant reservoir) I can see coolant on the gearbox but can't see where it comes from. It's been intermittent for a while, seems to be fine for 2 weeks and then lose about 300ml the next week but is getting worse.

I've checked for head gasket signs and there's no overheating problems. Any ideas guys? Thanks.

Just from my gf's past experience in her golf, her water pump was leaking which caused it but that wouldn't explain why it's on that side!

Looks like if it's intermittent and might be temperature dependant? Maybe after a hard drive the tiny slit in a hose somewhere softened up and opened but under normal cold conditions it stays shut.
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: scopes on December 09, 2014, 03:34:12 pm
theres a thermometer on that side of the engine, just above the gearbox, Maybe worth a look.

 :happy2:
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: dansmith180 on December 09, 2014, 03:36:53 pm
It seems to be more after short drives like my 1.5 mile journey to work and back as I've seen 3 puddles at work but none after a long or hard drive. And I thought water pump but there's been no overhearing issues so probably (and hopefuly) not that.
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: dansmith180 on December 09, 2014, 03:38:14 pm
theres a thermometer on that side of the engine, just above the gearbox, Maybe worth a look.

 :happy2:

My main one was replaced about 5 months ago so possible something wasn't put on fully tight....
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: dansmith180 on December 09, 2014, 03:38:53 pm
Anybody know a rough price and how long a pressure test takes?
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: SiofChester on December 09, 2014, 03:54:35 pm
Minutes and you can normally blag them for free
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: dansmith180 on December 09, 2014, 04:10:46 pm
Minutes and you can normally blag them for free

Cheers, I suppose they make money if they need to fix something.
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: dansmith180 on December 09, 2014, 06:23:00 pm
Since it leaked today I put it on the ramp and chased the coolant trail, removed the intake and found there's a small split in one of the heater matrix pipes near the clip. Luckily nothing major.

Thanks for the suggestions guys  :happy2:
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: lukemk5gti on December 10, 2014, 08:46:27 am
Since it leaked today I put it on the ramp and chased the coolant trail, removed the intake and found there's a small split in one of the heater matrix pipes near the clip. Luckily nothing major.

Thanks for the suggestions guys  :happy2:

I stand by my second comment "Looks like if it's intermittent and might be temperature dependant? Maybe after a hard drive the tiny slit in a hose somewhere softened up and opened but under normal cold conditions it stays shut."

Glad you got it sorted so easily, tracing back some of these lines can be a real pain sometimes. FYI after my gf's water pump was replaced it kept leaking intermittently and I never found the solution. She just thinks you top up coolant as regularly as you top up window washer fluid!! If she ever read this comment I'd get a bottle of G13 to the head!
Title: Re: Coolant leak
Post by: dansmith180 on December 11, 2014, 09:05:34 am
Since it leaked today I put it on the ramp and chased the coolant trail, removed the intake and found there's a small split in one of the heater matrix pipes near the clip. Luckily nothing major.

Thanks for the suggestions guys  :happy2:

I stand by my second comment "Looks like if it's intermittent and might be temperature dependant? Maybe after a hard drive the tiny slit in a hose somewhere softened up and opened but under normal cold conditions it stays shut."

Glad you got it sorted so easily, tracing back some of these lines can be a real pain sometimes. FYI after my gf's water pump was replaced it kept leaking intermittently and I never found the solution. She just thinks you top up coolant as regularly as you top up window washer fluid!! If she ever read this comment I'd get a bottle of G13 to the head!

 :signLOL: