My octy vrs water level runs low every few weeks any ideas what could it be? ive been told its early signs of head gasket on its way but its been running low since i changed the radiator.. there are no leaks that i can see or no of.. any help would be much appricated

i'd say a leak, if its head gasket and you are losing loads you would see some sort of water int he oil, but seeing as you have disturbed the radiator that would be my first port of cool, 

 

But it could be miniscule, so stick some UV dye in and you shluld then be able to locate it more easily.  Just bear in mind its hot now so if the cooling system is leakign keep an eye on it.  if in doubt get it a garage to investigate.

i'd say a leak, if its head gasket and you are losing loads you would see some sort of water int he oil, but seeing as you have disturbed the radiator that would be my first port of cool, 

 

But it could be miniscule, so stick some UV dye in and you shluld then be able to locate it more easily.  Just bear in mind its hot now so if the cooling system is leakign keep an eye on it.  if in doubt get it a garage to investigate.

every 2-5 weeks the water light comes on.. still drives fine no smoke ect.. radiator was changed a long while ago..

 

dont see it leaking from anywhere

every 2-5 weeks the water light comes on.. still drives fine no smoke ect.. radiator was changed a long while ago..

 

dont see it leaking from anywhere

 

 

i had same on a 120d, no leaks visible.  chucked some dye in, turned out it was a fine mist coming from the water pump, 

 

Dye is the first port of call if no visible signs of leak or no signs of oil water mix.

Yeah definately leaking somewhere presuming the oil hasn't turned to cream. I've never had to top coolant up in nearly 9 years.

More than likely be the temp sensor housing...

Usually evident by slight antifreeze staining on the gearbox below.

Theres a thread in technical guides

worth checking the seals on the rad cap and header tank cap as well

worth checking the seals on the rad cap and header tank cap as well

could it be my water bottle cap.. even when fully tightened dont seem so tight, on other vags when they are tight they are hard to open.. mine aint

Edited 15 April, 201511 yr by Haych123

possible , if in doubt get a new one

I've had Same issues on my wife's golf, uses the same expansion tank. Have a look at the expansion tank where you top the water up, the little pipe that runs the water back into it on the right hand side of the bottle if you are looking at it from the front of the car. The spout that the hose clips onto snap off and should be a couple of inches long, if it has snapped off and been put back on with a stubbier inlet with the OE spring clip they don't alWays seal correctly. You couldn't really tell as the weep was so small, but perseverance found it. Worth a look, hope it helps.