I have the 2011 fabia 1.6 tdi. It's losing coolant, the light is coming on the dashboard but when I check under the bonnet there is no sign of leakage. Looked under the car and no fluid on the floor. Checked to see if it was leaking into my oil but my oil is fine. There is no smell of any freeze anywhere so I'm pretty dumbfounded as to what could be going on. Does anyone have any suggestions? Would appreciate the help.

Welcome to the forum.

How much and over how long.

 

When did you check the Coolant was above MIN on the bottle before you got a warning light?

 

Is the level below MIN now and low, or is it a Sensor or Wire issue.

 

Do not fill the coolant to MAX when cold, just mid way from MIN & MAX or above MIN.

Then you need to check Pipes / Clamps, Top Bottle for damage etc.

 

Does it have the correct coolant in, 

have you had the car long, and how many miles on it.

 

You may need to go get it pressure tested.

There's a list in post #22 of this thread of ways that coolant is known to leak out of these engines, some of which will not be apparent externally.

There's a list in post #22 of this thread of ways that coolant is known to leak out of these engines, some of which will not be apparent externally.

That's not even a completely exhaustive list; running the engine at peak torque or thereby for relatively extended periods, then shutting down immediately can cause "afterboil", which will push coolant out of the expansion chamber overflow.

That's not even a completely exhaustive list; running the engine at peak torque or thereby for relatively extended periods, then shutting down immediately can cause "afterboil", which will push coolant out of the expansion chamber overflow.

Maybe. I'd've thought an engine with such a complex cooling system as these would have fan after-run, aux coolant pumps etc to (successfully) cope with this very situation.  Otherwise 'user error' could generate many low-coolant problems. No personal experience to back that up though.

It's started on the 1st August I checked my oil and water before my journey as usual. (About 40 miles) when I reached my destination the car started feeling a little juddery but no warning light. So turned the engine off and on again, and the warning light came on straight away. Opened the bonnet and the measure was well below the minimum line. I had to put more coolant in to get home. When I got home the coolant was at the same level as what I had put in it. I switched the engine off and left it. I have kept checking it to see if it's gone any lower and it hadn't until yesterday. I did about 100 miles when I reached my destination the car still had the same amount of coolant in it. When I left and came back checked it all the Coolant had gone again! I checked the pipes the cap and everything I could reach to see if there was damage ect. There were no trace of leak under the car either. I bought the coolant from halfords I told them what car I had and the gave me the coolant. So I assume it's the right one. I have had the car since May 2014 and it's got 31000 on the clock. I have it serviced every year.

Maybe. I'd've thought an engine with such a complex cooling system as these would have fan after-run, aux coolant pumps etc to (successfully) cope with this very situation.  Otherwise 'user error' could generate many low-coolant problems. No personal experience to back that up though.

Well, the last half mile of my commute to wrok is up a hill at peak torque revs, then a minute of manoeuvring at 10mph or less (which cools off the turbo itself), and I've never noticed fan run on after engine off.

It's started on the 1st August I checked my oil and water before my journey as usual. (About 40 miles) when I reached my destination the car started feeling a little juddery but no warning light. So turned the engine off and on again, and the warning light came on straight away. Opened the bonnet and the measure was well below the minimum line. I had to put more coolant in to get home. When I got home the coolant was at the same level as what I had put in it. I switched the engine off and left it. I have kept checking it to see if it's gone any lower and it hadn't until yesterday. I did about 100 miles when I reached my destination the car still had the same amount of coolant in it. When I left and came back checked it all the Coolant had gone again! I checked the pipes the cap and everything I could reach to see if there was damage ect. There were no trace of leak under the car either. I bought the coolant from halfords I told them what car I had and the gave me the coolant. So I assume it's the right one. I have had the car since May 2014 and it's got 31000 on the clock. I have it serviced every year.

That seem to rule out my idea anyway; it certainly sounds more like a leak.

 

Regarding the Halfrauds' coolant; I take it is a pink or orange colour rather than blue or green?

Funnily enough the coolant Skoda put in was pink but the stuff I have from halfords is blue? I'm out of ideas due to me not being able to see antifreeze anywhere in the engine and the oil is fine. There is no smell coming through the vents. Going out of my mind. Don't want to be taking it in a shop and them charge me an arm and a leg and it be something small and silly.

You shouldn't be mixing pink and blue. You are using the wrong antifreeze.

The cooling system needs to be pressure tested and see if it drops pressure.

Funnily enough the coolant Skoda put in was pink but the stuff I have from halfords is blue? I'm out of ideas due to me not being able to see antifreeze anywhere in the engine and the oil is fine. There is no smell coming through the vents. Going out of my mind. Don't want to be taking it in a shop and them charge me an arm and a leg and it be something small and silly.

 

 

You shouldn't be mixing pink and blue. You are using the wrong antifreeze.

The cooling system needs to be pressure tested and see if it drops pressure.

As Tech1e says, do not mix these! Oh and go and tear the manager in Halfrauds a new one!             

 

Blue is an old ethylene glycol antifreeze, and should never be put in the cooling system of a car that has "Organic Acid Technology" antifreeze (always pink or orange, hence my question).