Own a 2007 V6 TDI, 38K Kms. Recently went to service at skoda and the mechanic told me that he found some frothing in the coolant reservoir tank and the gearoil cooling line inside the radiator is leaking.Needs to replace the radiator and then retop up the gearoil(ATF) . Radiator costing 300 USd and gearoil 25 USD/ Ltrs in a total of 6 ltrs.

Can someone help me on this issue?? Any idea if this is the right problem?? and the costs too.

I would check this out very carefully. Whilst a transmission intercooler leak is possible (M-B had a wonderful time with Valeo radiators) a more likely cause of oil in the coolant is a defective engine oil cooler.

When you find out which one it was, make sure the relevant lubricated unit is carefully flushed to avoid water contamination and further trouble. If it's the engine, the oil pressure is usually high enough to prevent this.

rotodiesel.

Thanks Roto, but is thee any simpler way of finding out which which leakage it might be?? The dealers in Delhi surely doesnot have enough time to carry out the detailed leak test and they;ll opt for the simplest option of changing everything. engine oil is just changed and no contamination was found in that.

Also engine sound is more than normal and skoda has diagnosed it with timing bearings and recommending whole timing set(2 belts and 4 bearings they said) renewed. Does that look ok?

Already suffered from the curse of water in the car and still coming out of it.any idea what can be the next problem after this.

Went for second opinion on the coolant issue and the mechanic after observing the coolant told that it does not look like there is any leak in the system. The minor froathing in the reservoir chamber and the oily traces might be because someone in the past has used any oily can to pour coolant and that has stayed.

According to him, in case there is a leakage it will have sufficient amount /colour of oil in the reservoir to easily identify(My coolant is still quiet green). I was thinking of draining whole coolant and flushing the coolant line and chamber thoroughly with chemcials, once cleaned re topup the coolant and then observe closely for any oil traces.

Any advise on this issue??

Running a sophisticated car with design problems is a real challenge in a Third World country such as the UK or India. You will be very lucky indeed to get it fixed properly without further damage.

With regard to oil in the coolant, I would be inclined to pull the front and isolate the cooling loop within the radiator. You can then pressure test it with suitable pipe fittings to fit the stubs.

I would not expect to see engine timing drive problems at such a low mileage. Get an unbiased second opinion and make a careful visual inspection of all the belts with the engine running.

rotodiesel.

Our posts have crossed.

Your engine should not have green coolant in it - G12 and its successors is red/purple. Looks like you have serious maintenance problems.

Edited 14 November, 201015 yr by rotodiesel

Went for a third opinion now and looks like the authorized dealers on skoda in India are running a mafia out here, giving exaggerated figures and eventually ruining company's name and people's money. The problem with the extra sound was diagnosed with a torn packing in the turbo line. Lots of air is leaking from turbo line just before it meets the natural air intake manifold releasing hell lot of sound. The repairs are on the way. Timings as Roto said, looks fine since mileage is pretty low.

Found a garage which will carry out the leak test in radiator and then will decide the next action. Getting the whole cooling lines flushed and cleaned and then replaced them with g12 coolant. Checked the service records and skoda is charging me always for topping up g12 coolant only!!!..and when i today enquired they said in India the colour is green only!!!

Hope things will settle out soon...

finally settled with following troubles

1. The whole coolant was flushed/lines cleared and pink coolant added. Closely monitored the old coolant and could only see few drops of oil, which seems like old oil and now new coolant is under observation.

2.The turbo packing was replaced with the new one, very simple job, has taken the whole extra sound off..V6 is back to its usual roar.

3.The bearing noise was actually coming from ac compressor which is inoperational anyway. removed the belt of compressor and disconnected it..to be replaced once suitable spares available.

4. vibrations were sneaking in the cabin, traced them from the broken mounting..there is single mounting in the forward end below the radiator and this one is non hydraulic. got it replaced..so my engine is 1.5 inches higher from the ground and no vibrations.

5.now found that there is slight engine oil leakage from the tappet cover(left) and right head no 3 fueloil nozzle has oil mist around, however this planning to sort out with the next maintenance schedule.