Is checking the antifreeze level routine on a yearly service?.

Is checking the antifreeze level routine on a yearly service?.

No - according to the Service Sheet - though in the "change" section it states "every five years, in addition to annual inspection"

However the Service Book itself says: "Inspect antifreeze protection of coolant and cooling system for leaks. Inspect coolant level, top up the coolant if necessary"

Edited 11 November, 201015 yr by DRJ

You shouldnt need to check it since its a sealed for life setup, that is unless you have had a leak in the past.

...since its a sealed for life setup,...

No it isn't...

I know with some Audi's they change the coolant every 4years according the service manual,

However VWs definatly do not have a service interval.

Seems very odd in my opinion. Is it actually worth doing a coolant flush? My Skoda is approaching 100k, and 8years old now, I have no idea if it's ever been changed. Is it worth doing myself?

I've posted above that the Service Book say FIVE YEARS!

I wonder if some coolant consumption is normal. A garage told me yes all cars consume a certain amount of coolant over time. However, I'd have thought the only places for coolant to be lost would be a leak (hoses, radiator, heat exchanger) or through the expansion cap if forced out. My coolant seems to go down a very small amount over time, nothing serious. But stayed perfect on the Favorit, level never went down a drop once I had given the entire system a good going over.

I've posted above that the Service Book say FIVE YEARS!

aHHH many thanks!

Is it possible to change the coolant without needing to clamber underneath the car? Ie can it be done with bonnet open? I really can't be dealing with crawling on the floor in this freezing crappy weather!

1.9 TDI if it makes any difference

I wonder if some coolant consumption is normal. A garage told me yes all cars consume a certain amount of coolant over time. However, I'd have thought the only places for coolant to be lost would be a leak (hoses, radiator, heat exchanger) or through the expansion cap if forced out. My coolant seems to go down a very small amount over time, nothing serious. But stayed perfect on the Favorit, level never went down a drop once I had given the entire system a good going over.

You could try bleeding it again to make sure all the air is out when it's fully warmed up, ensuring the heater is fully open in the hot position. I have heard that apparently, older VW's had a problem with the cap for the expansion tank, brother in law had a 2000 Bora diesel that had been in to now defunct (deservedly so!) Dublin main dealers and one of the problems they failed to correct was excessive coolant use. This culminated in overheating and breaking down on the motorway on the way down to me, which was the first I'd heard of it. So called mechanics just hadn't bled it properly, got him going again and he had no more bother on that count till he got rid of the car seven months later.

Same thing happened with a lad at work who was telling me his heater wasn't the best on his Fiat. Bled it out for him and end of problem.