Hi

 

just wanted to see if this a common problem but my superb has done around 13.5k and since new around a tear ago I have now had to top up the coolant twice,  I have since booked this into dealers to have a look but doesn't sound normal to me ?

Are you topping back up to MAX because it has gone to between MAX & MIN,  or because it has gone to MIN or below or almost to..

 

If between MIN & MAX then no issue, if dropping from there you have an issue.

(There is no 'FILL TO THIS LEVEL' level.)

As @Awayofski says, if the level stays between MIN and MAX there is no problem.

The water in the cooling system expands when it is hot. If you fill to MAX when the car is cold, some water will boil off as the car heats up. when the car cools again you will be back where you started, but unless you topped up with an anti freeze mix your water will no longer have the same level of protection against freezing. 

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/382730-coolant-top-up/

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/418117-coolant-low/

The VAG micro cooling system strikes again...

1 hour ago, James@Pentagon_Seat said:

The VAG micro cooling system strikes again...

Not sure what you mean by that but having read the 2 threads above makes interesting reading ,  today is the second time since new currently at 13.7k miles.  Both times well below the min level for the coolant.  Just worried now that both times the deal has said add just water that now its diluted too much.  But will see what happens over next week or so till the beast goes in for investigations.

 

although funny how the service department mentioned water pump at this stage and that they would be ordering one in case. I wonder if there are issues arising around water pumps.

The water pump is a known problematic component on this engine, more so for causing overheating issues rather than coolant loss though. 

I had to top up the coolant level on my MK3 Octavia 1.6 CR last year. I reported this to the dealer when it went for service the next month and they replaced the water pump under warranty. The coolant level has stayed the same for the last 25k miles. 

So been into dealers today for an investigation into coolant loss to come back as no faults found and they topped up the coolant,  they say they pressure tested the system found no leaks now I am miffed as I have never had to top up any car with a litre of water over 14k miles. 

 

 

Hi Sevlow8

How is your car doing? I have the Ocatvia Mk3 2.0 diesel and I've had to top mine up three times in 6000 miles. I'm concerned, of course but like you - was told that topping it up would do the job - twice with proper mix, once with water.

Have no idea about engines - does the water pump interact with this? (is it where that pump gets its water? - told you i know nothing)

Steve

2 hours ago, Steveopix said:

Hi Sevlow8

How is your car doing? I have the Ocatvia Mk3 2.0 diesel and I've had to top mine up three times in 6000 miles. I'm concerned, of course but like you - was told that topping it up would do the job - twice with proper mix, once with water.

Have no idea about engines - does the water pump interact with this? (is it where that pump gets its water? - told you i know nothing)

Steve

You put water in your car's cooling system??? >_< Distilled right? I hope you are aware of the issue that may come with that. If you pour normal water ruining whole cooling system is guaranteed. 

For the sake of £11 you should all carry one of these in the boot, or at least at home in the garage...

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Seat-VW-Audi-Skoda-G13-Coolant-Antifreeze-Replaces-G12-G013A8JM1/182821159087?epid=681548422&hash=item2a90fd80af:g:GfkAAOSw47dZ3O-N

 

2 hours ago, JackySi said:

You put water in your car's cooling system??? >_< Distilled right? I hope you are aware of the issue that may come with that. If you pour normal water ruining whole cooling system is guaranteed. 

 

I think this is an internet myth, provided you maintain a minimum of 30% G13, preferably 40%-50% then pre boiled water (to remove limescale from hard water) is sufficient. If you have to top up regularly or are losing a significant amount (say more than 500ml a year) then you should have it checked to find the leak/where its going.

 

Never top up above the max mark. Check the level when hot, but top up only when cold. Usually just over the min mark is sufficient. Topping up any more just gets lost, probably from the cap. A couple of cars I have insist on settling at or just below the min mark when cold adding any more just disappears after a couple of days running.

 

Been the same for all the vag cars I've owned over the years.

 

Beware! If you top up when the engine is hot, good chance of damage to head and gasket, even cracking the head.

 

If you don't know the antifreeze strength in the system, get it checked at a garage with their kit.

 

Carrying a can of G13 is good, better if you predilute to 50% (which requires another container) and dont forget to mark the containers as prediluted to prevent confusion.

Edited 2 January, 20188 yr by xman

39 minutes ago, xman said:

 

I think this is an internet myth, provided you maintain a minimum of 30% G13, preferably 40% then pre boiled water (to remove limescale from hard water) is sufficient. If you have to top up regularly or are losing a significant amount (say more than 500ml a year) then you should have it checked to find the leak/where its going.

 

Never top up above the max mark. If you dont know the antifreeze strength, get it checked at a garage with their kit.

 

Carrying a G13 can is good, better if you predilute to 50% (which requires another container) and dont forget to mark the containers as prediluted to prevent confusion.

Manual states that:

Quote

The coolant cools the engine and consists of water and coolant additive (with additives that protect the cooling system against corrosion and prevents furring). The coolant additive proportion in the coolant must be between 40 and 60 %. The correct mixing ratio of water and coolant additive should be checked if necessary by a specialist garage or corrected if necessary.

and

Quote

CAUTION

■ If the expansion tank is empty, do not top up with coolant. The system could aerate - risk of damaging the engine!  Do not drive the vehicle. Switch off the engine and seek assistance from a specialist garage.

■ Do not fill the coolant above the mark A » Fig. 315. When it heats up, the coolant could press out of the cooling system - there is a risk of damage to the engine parts.

■ If it is not possible to add coolant,stop driving! Switch off the engine and seek assistance from a specialist garage.

■ A coolant additive which does not correspond to the correct specification can reduce the anti-corrosion effect of the cooling system - there is a risk of damage to the cooling system and the engine.

■ If water other than distilled (demineralised) water is used, then have the coolant replaced by a specialist garage - there is a risk of engine damage.

■ A loss of coolant could be due to leaks in the cooling system - there is a risk of engine damage. Switch off the engine and seek assistance from a specialist garage.

The bottle you buy to fill reservoir already has proper mix (the WV one, I have at least). So I don't think it is smart to add normal water to the system. It risks corroding ENGINE BLOCK and WORSE. The damages done with improper handling of coolant can be in thousands of euros/pounds not to mention long term effects. But hey, its just a myth ^^. The thing is, this is not 100% proven fact, I'm not nowhere near stating that. I am saying that the risks are way too high to even think about putting water in the system lol. I'm also sure that they don't use normal water either cause it has way too many minerals which can cause damages to radiator/pump or other parts of the cooling system. 

I'm sorry but for a car costing this much, this is very very stupid thing to do by my opinion. But that's just opinion =)

Edited 2 January, 20188 yr by JackySi

Ok I accept what you say.

 

Strangely, my 1,5 litre can of genuine VAG coolant is definitely undiluted and there even  is a graphic on the rear label showing the dilution ratios (with H2O, no warning of what flavour) for various temperatures (-24C to -52C)

 

Agreed 40% strength should be the minimum.

 

 

 

Edited 2 January, 20188 yr by xman

Thanks everyone, water was fine - getting off my point a little. I wondered what may hanksbe causing the loss?? Any ideas? car has done around 116k. 

Many thanks

1 hour ago, Steveopix said:

Thanks everyone, water was fine - getting off my point a little. I wondered what may hanksbe causing the loss?? Any ideas? car has done around 116k. 

Many thanks

 

Is the water reservoir getting really low or is it just dipping down to around min level? (See my previous post about overfilling)

 

Time to get a torch and have a good look, around the water pump, radiator (for damage), leaks at radiator end tanks and the thermo switch. Looks for tell tale signs, i.e staining/crusting of water leak, could be wet to touch. 

 

Otherwise get a pressure test done. Could be head gasket failing.

 

Tbh mine went down twice and went to dealers for checking to which they said nothing found and since nothing has dropped. (So far) 

Ah ok cool - fingers then 

 

many thanks 

Had coolant warning intermittent, changed water pump and belts as recommended by dealer but light kept coming on. Fair enough it seemed a likely cause. Took matters into my own hands, went to different dealer and asked them to change the coolant sensor only. Badda BING. SORTED. 

My 2017 Passat 240bhp bitdi does this. Usually after 15k- 20k it goes below the min mark. It has done it since new. I now have 135k and it has never gotten  worse. 
 

I was talking to a guy who owns a motor factors and he claims it’s common with modern cars. I wonder if the regens are causing it. The engines run quite hot during them.

Edited 7 December, 20214 yr by Micky 32