I noticed the coolant (in the expansion tank) had fallen just below minimum. This is the first occasion I've noticed this in just over 3 years / 61K miles. No leaks are visible and the expansion tank cap appears to be in good order. The expansion tank took 250 ml to top up to max.

 

It's booked in for investigation next week and the car runs fine (other than appearing to have a  slight, but ?downwards trend in fuel use over the period of my ownership)

 

There are now obvious signs of any leak / head gasket failure and I'd pondered possible causes:

• water pump failure / leaking (most likely?)
• Radiator holed (would more than likely leak at a faster rate)
• Expansion cap faulty
• Head Gasket Failure (unlikely as would more than likely run poorly and other signs would be evident)
• Other leak in cooling system

I'll update with the findings and may well take the opportunity to replace the timing belt, should the water pump prove to be the source of the leak.

 

I had hoped to keep this car long-term, given I've been unable to find anything else to replace it with (which offers the same space / performance / practicality) within such a compact package.

 

I've owned three Yeti's now (x1 TSi and x2 TDI) and all have proved to be generally mechanically reliable, barring "Zinc Inclusion" and I'd hoped to run this one for a few years yet - hoping this (and the falling fuel economy) aren't portents of doom!

Edited 2 December, 20178 yr by pinkpanther

It would not be the only one to have a sudden drop then to hold the level.
Mine did that at about a year old, topped up with G13 and the level hasn't moved in the last 2 years.

23 minutes ago, Urrell said:

It would not be the only one to have a sudden drop then to hold the level.
Mine did that at about a year old, topped up with G13 and the level hasn't moved in the last 2 years.

 

Hoping so - the advice from my (independent) garage was to top up with water and monitor for the next few days.

 

I understand it's due a timing belt at 4 -5 years (depending who you ask!), but any signs of water pump failure and I'll opt for a timing belt / water pump (local indie quoted £346 inc VAT, whereas Skoda fixed price maintenance price is £489).

200 miles covered since coolant topped up and it's not budged!

Mine kept dropping and after continual topups and going through about a litre of coolant I figured I'd investigate. Turned out the water pump seal was leaking so that got replaced and all has been good since.

It's currently being investigated by the team at Autohaus Dolby - update to follow........

 

I'm assuming a worst case scenario of a leaky water pump, which will bring forward the planned cambelt/water pump change by around a year.

6 hours ago, pinkpanther said:

It's currently being investigated by the team at Autohaus Dolby - update to follow........

 

I'm assuming a worst case scenario of a leaky water pump, which will bring forward the planned cambelt/water pump change by around a year.

Well it's basically clean bill of health

 

All usual weak points scrutinised and no evidence of any coolant leak located, so I'm planning to adopt a watch and wait approach.

 

Many thanks to Matt at Autohaus Dolby for help and advice.