Hi all,

How quickly should I expect the coolant levels to lower by on a 2.0 tdi? Do diesels use more coolant than petrols?

Thanks

Adam

Should not use any.

You have a leak somewhere at best

or at worst, a porous cylinder head... :(

What is the best / easiest way to check?

Need to check all the hoses for any sign of collant or powder, you can also get a pressure test done on the collant system. Might just be simple leak somewhere, also check the bottle for split.

As for the porous cylinder head, are there any obvious clues for that?

I have had the car for a few weeks now, in that time it has covered over 1000 miles, its starts perfectly with no smoke, and runs well so hopefully its just a leak somewhere.

Typical signs of a pourous head include dodgy cold starting, and rough idling.

As for the levels, I have never needed to add any coolant in more than 70,000 miles.

Thanks,

I will have the system pressure tested and see if anything pops up, as for cold starting I haven't had any problems and the temp is -degrees with loads of snow around and it seems to idle fine.

The car has been reasonably close to the coast most of it's life, could it be reasonable that something in the rad has corroded and may be leaking?

As for the porous cylinder head, are there any obvious clues for that?

I have had the car for a few weeks now, in that time it has covered over 1000 miles, its starts perfectly with no smoke, and runs well so hopefully its just a leak somewhere.

How much coolant are you loosing/topping up in that time?

First thing to check is the coolant bottle lid and that it fits well and forms a seal.

How much coolant are you loosing/topping up in that time?

First thing to check is the coolant bottle lid and that it fits well and forms a seal.

It appears to have gone from the upper mark to half way down to minimum in around 1000 miles.

Oh dear, sounds like a fair old leak somewhere!

Sorry to hear about your problems.

What year is it and how many miles in total has it done?

It appears to have gone from the upper mark to half way down to minimum in around 1000 miles.

I'd leave it for a bit and monitor the situation. If you have to top it up regularly worry about it. Leave it and see if it gets any lower and stays lower. It may rise on a warmer day.

If yo're really paranoid, carry a top up bottle in the car then if the warning light comes on, you can top up and drive to get it sorted.

D

Sorry to hear about your problems.

What year is it and how many miles in total has it done?

Its a 2005 with 69k miles, fsh etc, it also drives very well and is returning good mpg.

I'd leave it for a bit and monitor the situation. If you have to top it up regularly worry about it. Leave it and see if it gets any lower and stays lower. It may rise on a warmer day.

If yo're really paranoid, carry a top up bottle in the car then if the warning light comes on, you can top up and drive to get it sorted.

D

Thanks, I think I will run it a little longer to see if it drops any more and check for the obvious.

I agree with leaving it and monitoring the situation at present.

If its any comfort my wife's Fabia had its coolant level suddenly drop (but relatively slightly) during the intensely cold weather recently. Normally it never needs any attention.

I topped it up and the coolant level has not moved one millimetre since then.

Can't explain it but I don't think it can be that serious.

Edited 31 January, 201016 yr by Minimoke

I've marked on the coolant bottle where it currently is, I will see if i drops any further.

After a couple hundred miles this week the coolant level hasn't moved, most of my driving has been in rush hour traffic including a few trips where I was sat at a standstill for a couple of hours, I have a long drive next week so hopefully it should be fine!