2 minutes ago, CajoLajo said:

What should be the coolant colour after 4 years/40,000km? As I mentioned earlier, my expansion tank has "Mit Silikat" stamp but there is no bag.

 

The same colour that it was when it went in. When I replaced the radiator on our passat 5 years ago I filled it with g13, it's still the same purpley pink colour now 50000 miles later. 

Edited 27 January, 20206 yr by caprixpack

23 hours ago, Dellbert said:

 

If thats the case why do the new tanks have neither bag or seperate tank for silik

I don'y know Dellbert...I'm looking for answer's too. To itemise: VAG introduce silicate into coolant system via header tank., in a plastic ( or other) bag.  Bag split's and leak's silicate directly into coolant, causing  mayhem in the system.  VAG then introduce a new header tank, with different chamber's / compartments, but no silicate. Now the reason for the silicate  in the first place, is to act as a corrosion inhibitor, to protect the head etc.  So obviously they have (A) changed chemically the coolant , so that it carry's out it's corrosion inhibition function. Or (B) same chemical composition, but frequent scheduled coolant changes. Or (C) they have introduced a new silicate capsule, and placed it in a chamber in the new header tank.... does anyone have the answer?

25 minutes ago, caprixpack said:

 

The same colour that it was when it went in. When I replaced the radiator on our passat 5 years ago I filled it with g13, it's still the same purpley pink colour now 50000 miles later. 

This means there was either no silicate in the tank (I cannot see anything) and the corrosion inhibitors depleted. Or, something else is wrong. The colour is slightly reddish/brown (light rusty I would say). No contamination in the tank and everything works.

 

My original post below....

I have a Scout 1.8 TSI made in June 2015. The expansion tank has "Mit Silikat" sign on it. However, I cannot locate the bag with silica in the tank. Please see the video attached. I was wondering if anybody can clarify what different versions of the tank are out there. My thank appears to be double walled. The inner chamber is quite small and there is no way the bag that was pulled out in Youtube video (further up in the thread) would fit in this small space. The outer chamber cannot be accessed from the inner chamber and the silica bag might be in there. Is this the standard design of "Mit Silikat" tank? Or, is this something newer? Is it perhaps, that this setup is 'safer" than the single chamber tank (with the bag placed on the bottom as in the video referenced above)? I would like to get rid of the tank only if it isn't safe. Any help will be appreciated.

2 hours ago, Jim Reire said:

I don'y know Dellbert...I'm looking for answer's too. To itemise: VAG introduce silicate into coolant system via header tank., in a plastic ( or other) bag.  Bag split's and leak's silicate directly into coolant, causing  mayhem in the system.  VAG then introduce a new header tank, with different chamber's / compartments, but no silicate. Now the reason for the silicate  in the first place, is to act as a corrosion inhibitor, to protect the head etc.  So obviously they have (A) changed chemically the coolant , so that it carry's out it's corrosion inhibition function. Or (B) same chemical composition, but frequent scheduled coolant changes. Or (C) they have introduced a new silicate capsule, and placed it in a chamber in the new header tank.... does anyone have the answer?

New tank doesn't have bag or separate chamber for silicate, coolant is still G13, I have not heard anything regarding a coolant change interval being added but a dealer or Skoda themselves could maybe advise, but then that's them admitting there was a problem with the original tanks/design which I doubt they will do. If the cars under warranty I wouldn't be too fussed and would gladly argue with them over it. Out of warranty like me I got rid of the tank and silicate and will refresh my coolant when necessary.

2 minutes ago, allan1888 said:

New tank doesn't have bag or separate chamber for silicate, coolant is still G13, I have not heard anything regarding a coolant change interval being added but a dealer or Skoda themselves could maybe advise, but then that's them admitting there was a problem with the original tanks/design which I doubt they will do. If the cars under warranty I wouldn't be too fussed and would gladly argue with them over it. Out of warranty like me I got rid of the tank and silicate and will refresh my coolant when necessary.

Thanks allen1888, That's what I will now do too. Better safe than sorry...we have 4 skoda's in the family, 2 Superbs and 2 Octavia's. Have been driving Skoda's for many years now,,,,,,all to high mileages before replacing, and Thank God, no major problems so far. It was quite by accident that I heard of the silicate issue, and that's what brought me to this forum ( have used it before now though, when I had a Audi A6 )  Now to consider a coolant change and flush. I've done this often enough in other makes, and generally, no problem's. Are there any point's they need special attention when changing the coolant in the Skoda's? any tip's etc on the procedure?

Just now, Jim Reire said:

Thanks allen1888, That's what I will now do too. Better safe than sorry...we have 4 skoda's in the family, 2 Superbs and 2 Octavia's. Have been driving Skoda's for many years now,,,,,,all to high mileages before replacing, and Thank God, no major problems so far. It was quite by accident that I heard of the silicate issue, and that's what brought me to this forum ( have used it before now though, when I had a Audi A6 )  Now to consider a coolant change and flush. I've done this often enough in other makes, and generally, no problem's. Are there any point's they need special attention when changing the coolant in the Skoda's? any tip's etc on the proced

I used one of these to remove the coolant in the tank, then swapped the tanks over and refilled with new coolant. Really simple job, there was no point in replacing all the coolant as it was still fine but will likely Do a full change next year 

38 minutes ago, allan1888 said:

I used one of these to remove the coolant in the tank, then swapped the tanks over and refilled with new coolant. Really simple job, there was no point in replacing all the coolant as it was still fine but will likely Do a full change next year 

 Yes, I plan on siphoning out the tank prior to removing it and fishing out the silicate bag, then I'll wait a month or so and do a full change. G 13 seem's to be the VAG approved coolant to use. , As I mentioned in an earlier post, has anyone carried out a full  coolant change and flush, and if so, how complicated is it? and what to watch out for?

Just to say my late 2017 1.5TSI Octavia does not have the Silicant words on the Bottle . 

On 26/01/2020 at 14:25, benterrier said:

The term dual wall, not sure about this. I have a MIT silikat vessel on my car but wouldn't describe it that way. Unless you're referring to the bit inside holding the later silikat holder.

 

I think this is the style of tank I have in my 2015 VRS TDI. I have the silica bag mark on the tank so I went for a poke and can't find a bag - the hole on the top is very small, so much so that I can barely fit two fingers inside. It also appears the inside of the tank is much smaller in terms of volume than the outside. I went with the back of a pen and hit nothing but solid plastic. 

 

The question is - does this type of silica simply dissolve over time or can it rupture and result in complete heating system failure like the bag-type?

 

Will be interesting to see what the dealer says come next service.

Edited 28 January, 20206 yr by foregonereality

On 26/01/2020 at 16:50, Llwyngwernog said:

Pic of tank fitted to my car

 

Mine is the same.

1 hour ago, foregonereality said:

 

I think this is the style of tank I have in my 2015 VRS TDI. I have the silica bag mark on the tank so I went for a poke and can't find a bag - the hole on the top is very small, so much so that I can barely fit two fingers inside. It also appears the inside of the tank is much smaller in terms of volume than the outside. I went with the back of a pen and hit nothing but solid plastic. 

 

The question is - does this type of silica simply dissolve over time or can it rupture and result in complete heating system failure like the bag-type?

 

Will be interesting to see what the dealer says come next service.

Same in my case. The picture you supplied does not look like my tank. Yes there are two chambers, but the inside chamber wall goes right to the bottom of the tank which is not the case in the picture above.  I also wonder if the silica has dissolved completely. I checked the tank by shining a very strong light from all sides apart from the far back and there is nothing in there that resembles the bag or anything else. The fact that my coolant has changed colour could mean that the corrosion inhibitors have been depleted and the coolant is due to be changed (and G13 is no longer maintenance free).

update

 

the dealer cannot flush the system and has to take it to their medway dealer 45 miles away ... oh and i need to pay for fuel and dart charge  and no courtesy car till friday ..

 

guessing Skoda wont be on my list for my new car purchase  if this ends badly .......

Phone Skoda UK why should you have to pay for fuel just because their dealer is incompetent. 

Mate's AUDI S3 has "Mit Silikat" stamp on the tank but no bag inside. He bought it new in 2014. Same expansion tank as mine. On a side note, I went to local VW dealership today to purchase a bottle of G13 ($34 for 1,5 L). I was told by two people there that if I am topping up the coolant, I need to use it undiluted. Why did they tell me this, I was not asking any questions? This is new to me. Previous advice was to always use 50:50 solution and never undiluted coolant when topping up. This goes in line with the theory that G13 really deteriorates without silica in the cooling system. Another word, the cars without the silicate bag are no longer maintenance free as far as the coolant is concerned (and topping  up with undiluted G13 may extend the life of coolant).

14 hours ago, CajoLajo said:

Mate's AUDI S3 has "Mit Silikat" stamp on the tank but no bag inside. He bought it new in 2014. Same expansion tank as mine. On a side note, I went to local VW dealership today to purchase a bottle of G13 ($34 for 1,5 L). I was told by two people there that if I am topping up the coolant, I need to use it undiluted. Why did they tell me this, I was not asking any questions? This is new to me. Previous advice was to always use 50:50 solution and never undiluted coolant when topping up. This goes in line with the theory that G13 really deteriorates without silica in the cooling system. Another word, the cars without the silicate bag are no longer maintenance free as far as the coolant is concerned (and topping  up with undiluted G13 may extend the life of coolant).

That's the shape and design of my tank and I see the same when I look in. 

 

It's puzzling to say the least. 

 

Interesting  call from Beadles Southend the car is at their maidstone branch and been diagnosed with a blocked heater matrix and faulty waterpump which they have managed to push through under the warranty (??) they have said they will replace the cambelt (surely you cant help but contaminate the belt when changing the pump  ?) but dont really need to . Electrical issues are a software update which is chargeable (£60 probably plus vat)  dont understand why as the system is surely not fit for purpose.

The comment about not buying the car from them so wasnt their issue  didnt go down well . Along with the transport cost to Maidstone (they drove it there )

 

No coment on changing the expansion bottle or whether a replacement bottle would have silika in it .. as aparently its not relevant .

 

So with a large budget for two new cars Skoda may have lost a potential customer .....

If under warranty and you're having electrical issues why are they trying to charge you.

Contact Skoda customer service and raise your issues with them. 

4 hours ago, Dellbert said:

Interesting  call from Beadles Southend the car is at their maidstone branch and been diagnosed with a blocked heater matrix and faulty waterpump which they have managed to push through under the warranty (??) they have said they will replace the cambelt (surely you cant help but contaminate the belt when changing the pump  ?) but dont really need to . Electrical issues are a software update which is chargeable (£60 probably plus vat)  dont understand why as the system is surely not fit for purpose.

The comment about not buying the car from them so wasnt their issue  didnt go down well . Along with the transport cost to Maidstone (they drove it there )

 

No coment on changing the expansion bottle or whether a replacement bottle would have silika in it .. as aparently its not relevant .

 

So with a large budget for two new cars Skoda may have lost a potential customer .....

It doesnt matter where you purchased the car as they will claim any warranty work back from Skoda. I wouldnt pay anything to them. If they try then I would make a complaint to the dealer manager and take it higher if you need to.

10 minutes ago, Ecomatt said:

It doesnt matter where you purchased the car as they will claim any warranty work back from Skoda. I wouldnt pay anything to them. If they try then I would make a complaint to the dealer manager and take it higher if you need to.

 

 

the dealer manager was who i spoke to allegedly   next stop Skoda UK

I am having troubles finding the correct part number for the new thank model (without the bag). I found some with G12. Can somebody please help with this (part number, link etc).

On 21/12/2019 at 13:36, allan1888 said:

If you're looking for the Skoda part number it's 5Q0 121 407 M.

Posted earlier in this thread 👍

On 30/01/2020 at 09:01, CajoLajo said:

Mate's AUDI S3 has "Mit Silikat" stamp on the tank but no bag inside. He bought it new in 2014. Same expansion tank as mine. On a side note, I went to local VW dealership today to purchase a bottle of G13 ($34 for 1,5 L). I was told by two people there that if I am topping up the coolant, I need to use it undiluted. Why did they tell me this, I was not asking any questions? This is new to me. Previous advice was to always use 50:50 solution and never undiluted coolant when topping up. This goes in line with the theory that G13 really deteriorates without silica in the cooling system. Another word, the cars without the silicate bag are no longer maintenance free as far as the coolant is concerned (and topping  up with undiluted G13 may extend the life of coolant).

 

 

That's very strange all right. Because normally, it needs to be diluted. The  "concentrate" protects the metals against the  corrosion, while the water keeps the system cool...but you could be right in what you think, that without the "silicate" the coolant deteriorates. So without the silicate, I'd think that coolant changes at certain intervals will be the norm. As far as I can gather, G13 is backward compatible, and so is safe to use to top up the existing fluid with. 

Edited 1 February, 20206 yr by Jim Reire
additional info

Dilution ratios for g13 coolant shown in the pic 👍

Hey all - has anyone with the newer models that came without the bag been given a service manual/schedule that's different to our own as regards Coolant changes? 

 

 

2 hours ago, foregonereality said:

Hey all - has anyone with the newer models that came without the bag been given a service manual/schedule that's different to our own as regards Coolant changes? 

 

 

Doubt it to be honest, that would require Skoda to acknowledge there was a fault in the first place, and we know they won't do that