Loosing coolant and temp gauge dropping

[Donnyboy]

My car needed a coolant top up about 2 weeks ago. I topped it up and kept an eye on it.

Was fine for the 2 weeks , but checked at weekend and it had dropped abit again. Topped it up, ran it to temp for a good 40 mins, switched off and opened the expansion cap abit to release any air. Checked today and it was down a little after only 50miles. I don’t do a lot of miles so this is only over 400 miles or so in total.

I also noticed sometimes the temp gauge drops below the 90 and back up again when driving. It’s very subtle, but I’ve really been watching the gauge when driving.

Leaking thermostat? Timing belt and water pump were done just over 2 years ago. Oil cap has slight mayo due to short trips. Dipstick oil is fine, as car was serviced about 1k ago.

Any ideas??

 

[Donnyboy]

Bump.

No one had any coolant, radiator issues?

 

[betty_swollox]

Have you had a warning appear on the dash?

When my radiator died, I got a message on the MFD twisting about the coolant and to pull over. I topped up the coolant once I got to a petrol station and continued driving.

warning came on again as I was going home and I took to the garage and had the radiator replaced (eventually) under warranty

didnt notice anything to do with the temp


I literally drove 10 miles and the light came on again, if you are getting 400 miles I'd doubt it was the radiator


Just my opinion mate. Hope it helps.

 

[Donnyboy]

Thanks for reply.

I got the coolant light flashing on dash where the clock is, but it wasn't too low. still some in the expansion tank.

Its in at VW today and been told its the radiator. Waiting for a price to repair it.

How much did you pay and what car you got?

 

[betty_swollox]

Thanks for reply.

I got the coolant light flashing on dash where the clock is, but it wasn't too low. still some in the expansion tank.

Its in at VW today and been told its the radiator. Waiting for a price to repair it.

How much did you pay and what car you got?

It was free mate because the car was under a 1 year warranty


.....but iirc it should have been 600 quid. That was for a replacement rather than a repair


Was on a FR tdi mate

 

[Donnyboy]

£600...ouch. I'm out of warranty so will see how much they come back with.

 

[betty_swollox]

£600...ouch. I'm out of warranty so will see how much they come back with.

Got me fingers crossed for u mate

 

[Donnyboy]

£330 for a non genuine radiator with 1yr warranty or £501 for a genuine one with 2yr parts and labour warranty.

Went for the £330. Thats the fault diagnostics, radiator , fitting and coolant flush.

 

[Asce]

Ouch. I bought a new radiator for mine few months back as it started to leak on one of the plastic end, only paid £70 for it.

 

[Donnyboy]

Yeah its a sore one, but don't have time to DIY.

They did put extra amount off coolant in for me though!!?!? Think they thought you have to fill the expansion bottle to near the top!!

Car coming up to temp alot better now its fixed.