Dear All

Car : Skoda Superb Elegance 1.9TDI 55 plate (mileage 89k)

This morning when I started my car, on the dashboard the buzzer sounded saying coolant low. Anyway, I parked up and to my surprise the bottle was completely empty.

I topped up with water, it took about 1.7 litres of water.I drove to work and back and the coolant appears to be OK (78 miles done with about 2.5 hours of driving).

I am going to keep an eye on it. I have never topped up with coolant, I can remember checking around about July time it appeared to be fine. Car has done about 8k mileage since.

Is this normal and do I need to add anti freeze because I have added about 1.7 litres of water. Any replies would be appreciated.

Never needed to put any in mine in the 3 years i have owned it.

The IIRC G12 antifreeze should be approx 50/50 with water, so yes you need to add some, however this is now going to be difficult without draining the system down.

Going to keep an eye on it this week and then take it to the mechanic on Saturday to drain system and add anti freeze. Hope is not a big problem, quite worried really.

Never needed to put any in mine in the 3 years i have owned it.

The IIRC G12 antifreeze should be approx 50/50 with water, so yes you need to add some, however this is now going to be difficult without draining the system down.

I am going to keep an eye on it until satuday and get mechanic to drain sytem and add anti freeze.

I am really worried about the coolent loss, could be a big expensive job!!!

Most likely cause is a leaking radiator when it is hot, the radiators are notoriously prone to leaking on the Superb, look for white crusting on the rad, probably around the joints. you probably won't see any water leak when its standing as it appears that any holes close when cold and its only when its hot the coolant escapes and evaporates of leaving the crusting, I am one of many on here who have had a new rad but unfortunately I cant tell you how much it was as mine was covered by a warrantee.

Most likely cause is a leaking radiator when it is hot, the radiators are notoriously prone to leaking on the Superb, look for white crusting on the rad, probably around the joints. you probably won't see any water leak when its standing as it appears that any holes close when cold and its only when its hot the coolant escapes and evaporates of leaving the crusting, I am one of many on here who have had a new rad but unfortunately I cant tell you how much it was as mine was covered by a warrantee.

thanks

My TDI 130 PD Superb has never been refilled (since 2003).

I would say you have a leaking Radiator...........not too expensive to replace but it's a front end off job to get at it and replace it............... :'(

I did mine using a rad' from Euro Car Parts. IIRC it was c£60-£70 for the rad, plus a couple of bottles of G12.

Changing it over isn't too bad. You need the front bumper off and the crash bar. I think I did mine in an hour or so (in good weather, admittedly).

If you're unfamiliar with taking the front to bits, I would allow about three hours.

Regards,

Oh, and the Haynes (Passat) manual suggests putting the front end into the service position to aid access to the hoses. I have hands like shovels and didn’t have any issues with access, so I wouldn't bother.

No coolent loss today, did about 80 miles and 2.5 hours of driving.

I suspect its going to be the radiator, but going to get mechanic to check on saturday

When mine was leaking (from both sides!) it lost c1L every 2500 miles or so.

When mine was leaking (from both sides!) it lost c1L every 2500 miles or so.

Unfortunately, it has lost coolent again. After about 160 miles its gone from max to min. I have checked with the local supplier and they have a radiator in stock £55 (not bad really).

Took it to the mechanic today and he cannot see any signs of leakage (quick inspections as no ramps were free). He says its probaly not the water pump (he says the fins normally goes on them). He says sometimes its the pipes at the back of the engine and that area seems dry. His bet is also on the radiator. Taking it on Saturday, he can strip and sort out for me.

Unfortunately, it has lost coolent again. After about 160 miles its gone from max to min. I have checked with the local supplier and they have a radiator in stock £55 (not bad really).

Took it to the mechanic today and he cannot see any signs of leakage (quick inspections as no ramps were free). He says its probaly not the water pump (he says the fins normally goes on them). He says sometimes its the pipes at the back of the engine and that area seems dry. His bet is also on the radiator. Taking it on Saturday, he can strip and sort out for me.

Got a 2007 Superb, just had the rad done under warranty. Apparently it's a known fault. I would get onto Skoda UK. Cheers Pete

Edited 22 January, 201016 yr by PilotPete

All sorted now, after all it was the radiator which everyone suspected on here.

Thanks for all your rsponses.