Coolant loss from tank on motorway journeys or high speeds

[black_sheep]

The car was bought from a dealer yes. I have been told to try and contact the dealer but what if the dealer says they did not know of the issue. Or that it was fine when they had the car. The dealer bought the car from an auction so I dont think there is much help there for me??

As per the previous advice, the fault has occurred during the first 30 days. You will be able to prove from any receipts/inspection reports produced to date. Contact the dealer/trader ASAP. Regardless of where they have sourced the car originally, your contract is with the trader, and they must comply with the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The fact that the fault occurred in first 30 days from a legal perspective, would indicate that the fault was present at the time of purchase, hence you have a good case for them to put right or refund you.

I have had a look at different parts and repairs but I can't just jump into it and get everything replaced, it will cost too much. And I can't afford it.

Agree. The Consumer Rights Act is there for you protection as a consumer, and should cover the costs. With regards to the coolant system, unless a stone has punctured the radiator, or a weld has cracked due to vibration (fatigue), virtually everything else is outside of the realms of wear and tear if the vehicle has been properly maintained.

Will a pressure test show me if EGR valve is the problem?

It depends. A pressure test works by placing an instrument where the expansion cap fits (hence it will not prove if the cap is faulty), and then pressurising the coolant system - if there is a leak, the pressure will drop over time; if external, the leak will be visible, if internal, then the Seat/VAG dealers have a check list of things to check. With regards to my vehicle, it was traded in before 100% confirmation of either EGR or heater matrix, but the heater was not working on the driver’s side - it was flushed and appeared to work initially, but I believe that this was a temporary fix, before ultimate failure.

 

[LouG]

This engine configuration is notorious for coolant issues; look at the Briskoda Skoda forums too. Issues include:

Main water pump and associated seals.
Cracked welds on EGR cooler.
Blocked/corroded heater matrix.
Cracked expansion tanks.

In addition to the above, blown head gasket/cracked cylinder head may also be causes, but after the water pump was modified the EGR cooler or heater matrix appear to be the main culprits at the moment.

I had the 184 ps VRS Octavia and had all of the same issues, and despite numerous pressure tests and hydrocarbon tests, at different main dealers, and an VAG specialist, couldn’t replicate or identify the fault. For the likely location of the leaks, the coolant either exits the system into the exhaust side of the engine, or is expelled via the expansion tank overflow.

Mine was a 77k mile in 5 years, and required 2 x water pumps (one was a catastrophic failure, coincidentally on my way home 150 miles after a pressure test, and probably as a result of running dry), expansion pressure cap (did nothing), heater matrix flush.

I also had 100k mile, 5 year 150 ps FR using the same EA288 block with no issues whatsoever, so I don’t think that mileage is necessarily a factor. This will probably be confirmed by a number of owners with the 184 ps engine that has been trouble free over a similar age/mileage.

A pressure test is definitive in revealing a problem. The system is pressurised and if it doesn't hold pressure it is faulty. Finding the cause can be another matter. It's the same with gasket tests, exhaust gases can only get into the cooling system from a leaking headgasket or a crack in the head or exhaust manifold.
The biggest problem today is getting Techs who know how to diagnose.

 

[YKFR]

A pressure test is definitive in revealing a problem. The system is pressurised and if it doesn't hold pressure it is faulty. Finding the cause can be another matter. It's the same with gasket tests, exhaust gases can only get into the cooling system from a leaking headgasket or a crack in the head or exhaust manifold.
The biggest problem today is getting Techs who know how to diagnose.

Do you reckon if it doesn't resolve I should take it to SEAT it self? They charge too much but I'm assuming they will be able to find and fix the issue.

 

[LouG]

Do you reckon if it doesn't resolve I should take it to SEAT it self? They charge too much but I'm assuming they will be able to find and fix the issue.

Someone on here must know of a trustworthy workshop that could find the problem. What is the warranty situation on your car, if any?
What does consumer law cover where you are? Ours would cover that under "fit for purpose" clauses.
As a last resort it may pay to bite the bullet and go to SEAT. If someone else found the problem, you have also have a claim agianst the dealer who sold you the car.

 

[YKFR]

Someone on here must know of a trustworthy workshop that could find the problem. What is the warranty situation on your car, if any?
What does consumer law cover where you are? Ours would cover that under "fit for purpose" clauses.
As a last resort it may pay to bite the bullet and go to SEAT. If someone else found the problem, you have also have a claim agianst the dealer who sold you the car.

Been thinking I might have to take it to SEAT... But I don't have too much money to burn like that. Its just so frustrating!

 

[YKFR]

An update....

As stated previously somewhere here, I got the tank and cap replaced. And for a little while it was fine. I even drove on high speeds with high revs for a while. Coolant level stayed the same. It did decrease a bit but then after driving around for a while next morning it would come back to where it was...

However, today it suddenly was empty.... I drove around all day today. And checked it in morning and noon. It was fine. Then i went to my local park and it was parked on a decline, (decline wouldn't cause it took go fully empty I know) and once I came back after an hour I started the car and got a light to check coolant but this time it was Red light not Yellow....

Had to fill it up again. I think I will have to take it to SEAT now...

 

[ZK_FR150]

It does seem a lot like the same symptoms I had with the egr valve gasket, I would bite the bullet and pay the £90 diagnostic fee from seat. At least you will get it diagnosed properly hopefully then take it to the garage of your choice to fix if seat charge an arm and a leg to fix

 

[YKFR]

It does seem a lot like the same symptoms I had with the egr valve gasket, I would bite the bullet and pay the £90 diagnostic fee from seat. At least you will get it diagnosed properly hopefully then take it to the garage of your choice to fix if seat charge an arm and a leg to fix

SEAT charged you £90 for diagnosis? Were they able to tell you what was up 100%? Did you go to SEAT to get it fixed too or did another garage do it? And lastly which SEAT garage did you vist for diagnosis?

 

[Speedbird]

Before you removed and discarded the old coolant tank, did you have a look inside to see if there was a small bag of silicate? Seat fitted these in the coolant tanks to help prevent corrosion to the aluminium parts of the coolant system.
However, there have been reports of the bags perishing and splitting, and the silicate crystals getting into the coolant system and causing broken heater matrixes and components.
When I last had my car serviced by a specialist, thankfully they noticed it was still fitted in my car and removed it.
Just another potential idea as to what could be wrong or was the possible cause.
Where are you located? I would recommend taking it to a VAG specialist like TTS Roadsport (Bedford), Midland VW (Cannock) or LVS AG (Lincoln).

 

[ZK_FR150]

SEAT charged you £90 for diagnosis? Were they able to tell you what was up 100%? Did you go to SEAT to get it fixed too or did another garage do it? And lastly which SEAT garage did you vist for diagnosis?

Yeah unfortunately that's what they charged to have a look as I'm out of warranty, as I get my servicing done at Seat I get the free breakdown cover who were my first port of call, he checked the car top to bottom for any leaks and did a pressure test which it passed so he recovered me to the nearest dealer which is Bradford JCT600, I normally use Huddersfield Sytner for servicing.
JCT600 were the guys that diagnosed the leaking egr valve gasket.
So I just got them to do the work while it was there. Due to work I can't be messing about going to different garages etc, new valve and gasket and £400+ lighter and the issue never occured again.

I'm not saying you have the same issue but the symptoms were the same so it's a possibility.
Find a good indy vag specialist as it may end up cheaper than main dealer.

 

[YKFR]

Before you removed and discarded the old coolant tank, did you have a look inside to see if there was a small bag of silicate? Seat fitted these in the coolant tanks to help prevent corrosion to the aluminium parts of the coolant system.
However, there have been reports of the bags perishing and splitting, and the silicate crystals getting into the coolant system and causing broken heater matrixes and components.
When I last had my car serviced by a specialist, thankfully they noticed it was still fitted in my car and removed it.
Just another potential idea as to what could be wrong or was the possible cause.
Where are you located? I would recommend taking it to a VAG specialist like TTS Roadsport (Bedford), Midland VW (Cannock) or LVS AG (Lincoln).

I still have the old coolant tank, I dont know where that silicon pouch will be located. I am located in West Yorkshire but I do not know if there is a VAG specialist garage near me with in like 20-30 miles...

 

[YKFR]

Yeah unfortunately that's what they charged to have a look as I'm out of warranty, as I get my servicing done at Seat I get the free breakdown cover who were my first port of call, he checked the car top to bottom for any leaks and did a pressure test which it passed so he recovered me to the nearest dealer which is Bradford JCT600, I normally use Huddersfield Sytner for servicing.
JCT600 were the guys that diagnosed the leaking egr valve gasket.
So I just got them to do the work while it was there. Due to work I can't be messing about going to different garages etc, new valve and gasket and £400+ lighter and the issue never occured again.

I'm not saying you have the same issue but the symptoms were the same so it's a possibility.
Find a good indy vag specialist as it may end up cheaper than main dealer.

It is such a costly thing getting a car fixed if it messes up, especially now a days. Even getting the car looked at can cost you a pretty penny. It is ridiculous. If I cant think of anything then I will take it to SEAT JCT600 Bradford, it is nearest to me. But I do not know if going to a VAG specialist is worth it, not that I know of any anyway.

 

[Bedlam]

It is such a costly thing getting a car fixed if it messes up, especially now a days. Even getting the car looked at can cost you a pretty penny. It is ridiculous. If I cant think of anything then I will take it to SEAT JCT600 Bradford, it is nearest to me. But I do not know if going to a VAG specialist is worth it, not that I know of any anyway.

Is Knaresborough/Harrogate too far ? https://www.thevasstech.com/knaresborough/
or Leeds https://www.ivcleeds.co.uk/
Edit; These are not recommendations just pointers

 

[garybuttle]

Hi, have been talking to my mate about doing a cam belt and water pump change on my 14 plate 2.0 tdi fr and he says it has to go on a computer for about 20 mins where the programme revs and shuts down the engine and shuts and opens all the heater valves etc as the electronic water pump causes bleeding problems. Was this done after your belt change my

 

[YKFR]

Is Knaresborough/Harrogate too far ? https://www.thevasstech.com/knaresborough/
or Leeds https://www.ivcleeds.co.uk/
Edit; These are not recommendations just pointers

Ill check out the Leeds one because that's close enough for me to visit gonna ring them up next week and see what they say. Thanks for letting me know about them

 

[YKFR]

Hi, have been talking to my mate about doing a cam belt and water pump change on my 14 plate 2.0 tdi fr and he says it has to go on a computer for about 20 mins where the programme revs and shuts down the engine and shuts and opens all the heater valves etc as the electronic water pump causes bleeding problems. Was this done after your belt change my

I have no idea about that as the water pump and belt was done by SEAT and it was the first owner of the car who got it done.

How could I tell if that is an issue? Will I need to put it on a computer? If so then what am I looking for?

 

[YKFR]

Another update:

Took it to SEAT this past Tuesday. They had the car for all morning and noon. They did their tests and they gave me a report. The pressure test came back negative for any leaks. And they also couldn't pin point a certain leak.

They said that they think its either the headgasket or EGR. But they are not 100% about it as they need to dig into the car deeper and that's gonna require like 3 hours and going to cost over £200...

Keeping in mind that no coolant has dropped for over 2 weeks now. I'm thinking about waiting a bit and then getting these two things separately checked out. They also said the coolant loss is random and there seems to be no exact pattern.

 

[Seastormer]

Another update:

Took it to SEAT this past Tuesday. They had the car for all morning and noon. They did their tests and they gave me a report. The pressure test came back negative for any leaks. And they also couldn't pin point a certain leak.

They said that they think its either the headgasket or EGR. But they are not 100% about it as they need to dig into the car deeper and that's gonna require like 3 hours and going to cost over £200...

Keeping in mind that no coolant has dropped for over 2 weeks now. I'm thinking about waiting a bit and then getting these two things separately checked out. They also said the coolant loss is random and there seems to be no exact pattern.

If it was the head gasket, would you not get that creamy gunge on the underside of the oil filler cap to confirm this?

 

[Legojon]

If it was the head gasket, would you not get that creamy gunge on the underside of the oil filler cap to confirm this?

Not if it's an external headgasket leak... or waterpump seal.

 

[Seastormer]

Not if it's an external headgasket leak... or waterpump seal.

But would you not see traces of that left on the engine or pump.