Octavia 3 coolant leak?

[Jimbobguss]

Hi all

 

Having looked on here I reckon this is the infamous coolant leak/water pump problem but wanted to get some advice before contacting the dealer in the morning. 2013 Oct 3 1.6tdi, had it since November 2016. Still under warranty. We'd had a previous coolant level low warning 3 months ago after a long drive to Wales (4 hours), not had any problem since until today. Short trip into Cambridge (6 miles), get back into car to come home and coolant level warning light flashes on. Notice wet patch under car but not sure if us as it's a multi-storey car park....on getting home lifted the bonnet and can see coolant all over left hand side of engine and under the engine. The coolant was burning off for a while. I've seen plenty of people on here have the coolant level fall but no leak - this is obviously a leak but question is where's it coming from? Picture two shows a puddle on the engine mount and think it's coming from under the plastic cover. I'm mechanically inept so any suggestions I can put to the dealer based on the images would be greatly appreciated. The dealer is 19 miles away and I don't fancy driving it all that way with this amount of coolant leaking. Many thanks, J.

[Gaz]

Isn't the water pump quite a bit lower on the engine than where this water is?

 

Is it definitely coolant?  How low is the level in the expansion tank? The fact a warning's come up in the last six miles doesn't necessarily mean it's just happened - you could simply have a very steady loss over the last three months.

 

Either way, I wouldn't worry, just contact the dealer and advise them the car has a fault, is leaking coolant and needs to be repaired.  They might prefer to come and pick it up rather than risk you driving it, although I suppose if you can do 19 miles without emptying the header tank it might not be a problem.

 

Wet patch under the car could also be condensation from the air conditioning system at this time of year.

 

Gaz

[Jimbobguss]

Thanks Gaz. Coolant was almost empty from having topped up end of March this year. It smells like the coolant which is why I assumed it was but it could be something else (?). There's never been a wet patch under the car before when parked which makes me think it's a fresh problem and not one that's slowly leaked - again I'm assuming this because there is a lot of liquid on the inside of the engine compartment, and a second look around a few minutes ago it has also sprayed up the inside of the driver's side front wheel arch and I can see a trail as we've driven back in to park.

[Gaz]

Does sound like you might have a hose or joint giving out.  Is there any evidence of coolant around the header tank?

 

Has your temperature gauge sky rocketed?

 

It's probably worth topping the header tank back up, going for a run around the block and then having a good look (not saying you haven't) as soon as you get home.  If it's spraying the wheel arch, it shouldn't be too hard to track where the spray is coming from - the coolant system will remain under pressure for some time after you've turned the engine off.

 

Gaz 

[Jimbobguss]

Filled the header tank, went for 5 min drive, header tank now empty and what I assume is coolant (changed from green to brown colour?) is now flowing steadily out the bottom of the engine through a drainage hole in the plastic under protection......no idea where exactly it is coming from. Definitely need the dealer to pick the car up for me!

[Gaz]

Yep, that's definitely a don't drive it any more type of leak!! 

 

Gaz

[nidza]

Our black one (2013, 2.0 TDI) has suffered water pump failure, just after a few thousand kilometers. This is job for a service, especially having a warranty, don't make it worst.

[Jimbobguss]

Thanks for all the replies. I phoned the garage - they said it sounds like the water pump has failed. I called out the RAC this morning and yes the pump has gone so now waiting for the garage to pick the car up. It's going to ALS Autos in Little Downham where we brought it from, so I'll let know you how that goes  They just told me they had exactly the same problem with a car on Friday and quite a few recently too. At least I get a new cambelt for free.....

[Jimbobguss]

A quick update: water pump and belt replaced FOC under warranty; also had service at same time as this was due. Car running beautifully now, and brilliant customer service from ALS Autos nr Ely Cambs; despite them being very busy and not able to look at the car until late Tuesday afternoon it was back with us Saturday morning including having had a very good clean outside. Will leave a comment on the garage review page too.