Hi,

Was hoping maybe someone has had a similar issue and successfully resolved it.

My VRS TSI is loosing coolant. I've had it just over a month and done just over 4000km.

There is no obvious leak and the dealer carried out a successful pressure test and topped it up again telling me it is fine and probably air in the radiator.

Well in a few days and having done only a few hundred Kms it's back down just inside the minimum range. The radiator fans are now on constantly too (when engine running) and staying on for several minutes after turning off the engine.

I've got it booked in on Thursday, but after their last 'inspection' of the car I'd like to have some ideas what it's likely to be.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

Jon.

Check the pressure cap. Had a similar problem with a pressure test that passed ok yet still kept loosing coolant and changed the cap - problem gone.

Tom

Hi Tom,

Is that the cap on the reservoir?

Thanks,

Jon.

Yes

Tom

Thanks Tom.

I have dropped the car off so hopefully they can resolve it before I do a 2000km drive next week.

Last night I did tape a load of tissue to the top of the coolant reservoir and took the car out for a spin.

No pink residue on the tissue at all.

Hi Jon,

Any update from the dealer?

My new vRS petrol is also losing coolant!

Was exactly on the max line when I picked it up on 8th July. Now just above the min line, 750 miles later.

Dealer said it shouldn't have dropped that much. Booked in for pressure test tomorrow morning.

Fingers crossed as taking family to France first thing on Saturday - 1000 mile round trip!

Dunc

Hi my year old 1.9 tdi which I got 4 months ago seems to use coolant too from max to minimum in about 1200 to 1500 miles, it will need its 1st service soon so I would be interested to know what others have been told.

I dropped in the car yesterday and they don't seem to think the coolant loss is an issue, even though as the manual states: loss of coolant suggests there is a leak.

They have pressure tested again and say there is no issue there. They've also said they have checked for leaks around the HVAC.

Dealer has agreed there is a problem with the radiator fan being on all the time and they need to speak to Skoda about it.

I had to leave the car with them so hopefully I'll get some answers today.

My car knowledge is quite limited, but I'd think that two problems in the same area, i.e. cooling system suggests they're related.

I got the car back and the radiator cooling fans are on full the whole time the engine is running. I'll not know for a day or two if the coolant is still leaking.

The dealer had to wait for Skoda to come back about the radiator fan who told them to replace a wire harness as there is a known issue with a plug.

They've done that but the problem still persists so I have to take it in again once I return from my holiday.

Hopefully I don't end up on the side of the road 1000km from home.

These cars have a sealed cooling system and should not loose coolant, not even over a period of many many months. If coolant is being lost then either:

1. There is an external coolant leak.

2. There is an internal coolant leak

3. The pressure cap is not sealing.

If you are loosing coolant and the fans are running are you sure the engine is not running hot? This could indicate a head gasket blow. Sometimes these do not open up until the engine is warm. Start the car from cold and feel if the hoses go hard (pressurised) quickly - indicating gas pressure in the system.

Get the dealer to carry out a 'sniff test' - i.e. checking for hydrocarbons in the coolant by waving a gas analyser probe over the header tank (with cap off, of course).

Good luck with your trip!

I'm guessing it's pretty warm over there in Oz, so I think you will find the fans coming on a lot unless you're driving quite fast and therefore getting lots of air through the radiator.

Mine was checked out this morning - all fine. I didn't realise how much the coolant can move up & down the expansion tank depending on how hot the engine is!

Dunc.