I bought a skoda Octavia 6 months ago 13 plate 70k. Im using it as a taxi. Very good car but....

A month after driving the 'check coolant' warning note came on. So i put water/coolant in it went off. About a week later same again. So i took it to my local garage for pressure check, all checked out fine. They said carry water with you its probably just using water (ive had vectras mondeos in past never had coolant issues with them). So sometimes i could go a week then warning came on (so filled about half pint of water/coolant in) sometimes 2 a day! Yesterday my heating in car went! Had all pipes flushed and my garage think its the heater matrix needs replacing they have quoted around £500. I need heat in car so booked in on monday, anyone else had this problem?

 

I had similar symptoms on my octavia before waterpump failed 😕 

I wouldn't expect any car to "use " coolant  unless there is a problem/leak. You should have taken it back to the selling dealer - bit mor difficult now 6 months have passsed.

 

Are the carpets wet at all with coolant , especially on the passenger side  - if so that is a sign the heater matrix is leaking!

 

However it might not be the matrix, one of the first signs of a drop in the coolant level can be that the heater matrix gets air in and stops exchanging heat - ie heater stops working.

 

Clearly you have a leak somewhere, it could be the heater matrix but I'd say probably not. You don't say which engine you have but I'd start checking the water pump and also the EGR valve (these fail and are difficult to replace - if badly fitted they can leak coolant!)

 

Also what colour is the coolant and does the water coolant bottle have "mit silikat"  stamped on it? If so they have a "silikat" bag inside which can burst and which then blocks the heater matrix and radiator and make a real mess of the cooling system. Usually turns the coolant a funny colour! If this has failed don't just do the expensive repair of replacing the heater matrix - sort out the cooling system first otherwise you'll block the new one!!

 

 

Edited 5 February, 20206 yr by bigjohn

Hello Stephen

 

Petrol of Diesel, which engine?

 

Have you read this thread?:

 

 

And another unfortunate possibility:

 

 

 

Gaz

Edited 5 February, 20206 yr by IamGaz

5 minutes ago, bigjohn said:

I wouldn't expect any car to "use " coolant  unless there is a problem/leak. You should have taken it back to the selling dealer - bit mor difficult now 6 months have passsed.

 

Are the carpets wet at all with coolant , especially on the passenger side  - if so that is a sign the heater matrix is failing!

 

However it might not be the matrix, one of the first signs of a drop in the coolant level can be that the heater matrix gets air in and stops exchanging heat - ie heater stops working.

 

Clearly you have a leak somewhere, it could be the heater matrix but I'd say probably not. You don't say which engine you have but I'd start checking the water pump and also the EGR valve (these fail and are difficult to replace - if badly fitted they can leak coolant!)

 

Also what colour is the coolant and does the water coolant bottle have "mit silikat"  stamped on it?

 

 

Sorry 1.6 d had it pressure checked twice no issues no water on carpet no milky white in oil. Engine runs fine apart from needing coolant and now no heat

2 minutes ago, Stephen9 said:

Sorry 1.6 d had it pressure checked twice no issues no water on carpet no milky white in oil. Engine runs fine apart from needing coolant and now no heat

 

Check to see if "mit silikat" is on the bottle -  known issue:-

 

 

Edited 5 February, 20206 yr by bigjohn

I went to my garage today. They 'blew all the **** of the pipes' i watched them. The pipe leading into the matrix box was hot but still cold air blowing into the cabin. They say matrix needs replacing 

14 minutes ago, bigjohn said:

I wouldn't expect any car to "use " coolant  unless there is a problem/leak. You should have taken it back to the selling dealer - bit mor difficult now 6 months have passsed.

 

Are the carpets wet at all with coolant , especially on the passenger side  - if so that is a sign the heater matrix is leaking!

 

However it might not be the matrix, one of the first signs of a drop in the coolant level can be that the heater matrix gets air in and stops exchanging heat - ie heater stops working.

 

Clearly you have a leak somewhere, it could be the heater matrix but I'd say probably not. You don't say which engine you have but I'd start checking the water pump and also the EGR valve (these fail and are difficult to replace - if badly fitted they can leak coolant!)

 

Also what colour is the coolant and does the water coolant bottle have "mit silikat"  stamped on it? If so they have a "silikat" bag inside which can burst and which then blocks the heater matrix and radiator and make a real mess of the cooling system. Usually turns the coolant a funny colour! If this has failed don't just do the expensive repair of replacing the heater matrix - sort out the cooling system first otherwise you'll block the new one!!

 

 

I bought car last july from Evans halshaw they gave me 3 month warranty. Problem didnt start till about a month after. I took it back they did pressure check which showed no leak in radiator or pipes. I recon cos cold now and have heating on more its caused the matrix to block 

 

Ive now gone to a vw dealer (who do skoda also) they recon this is a major problem on this engine which no one knows the cause

Check the filler bottle for "mit silikat!" - this is important

Edited 5 February, 20206 yr by bigjohn

Not sure what that is? My garage blew all the rubbish from the pipes and filler bottle put in the pink coolant again and new cap. A week later coolant warning light on again. Not good when on a motorway! The engine temperature never goes up by the way 

6 minutes ago, Stephen9 said:

Not sure what that is? My garage blew all the rubbish from the pipes and filler bottle put in the pink coolant again and new cap. A week later coolant warning light on again. Not good when on a motorway! The engine temperature never goes up by the way 

 

I'd read this

 

 

 

Edited 5 February, 20206 yr by bigjohn

Not sure what that is? My garage blew all the rubbish from the pipes and filler bottle put in the pink coolant again and new cap. A week later coolant warning light on again. Not good when on a motorway! The engine temperature never goes up by the way 

Thanks for your replies. What ever it is the matrix needs replacing (quoted £500 plus cos pipes need flushing aswell?!) I love the skoda but makes me think should i have stook to a mondeo???

16 minutes ago, Stephen9 said:

Thanks for your replies. What ever it is the matrix needs replacing (quoted £500 plus cos pipes need flushing aswell?!) I love the skoda but makes me think should i have stook to a mondeo???

 

Yes but if it is blocked with silikat sand you need to sort the original issue otherwise it will do it again! - If header bottle/tank is stamped with"mit Silikat" there will be a little bag inside that needs to be removed or the header tank replaced with one without. It bursts and the sand blocks the fine tubes in the heater matrix   

 

It's been fitted to some cars (usually diesel) to replenish lost silikat in the G13 coolant (deplenishes over time). It's was fitted to extend the life of the coolant but has been rather a design disaster.

 

Also make sure it's not another issue / leak first as replacing the heater matrix is not cheap!

Edited 5 February, 20206 yr by bigjohn

Update:

Had a new heat matrix fitted today, got heat again. Vw garage removed the silicone bag. Fingers crossed no more coolant leak. I will let you know if i do. 

Thanks for all your information guys.

No more coolant issues since replaced matrix and took out that bag. However my mate has same issue on his 1.6 diesel 66 Octavia. Ive told him the problem but hes skint and cant afford £500 for new matrix. Surely this fault should be on watchdog or something? Its a manufacturing fault that the VW group should fix free of charge? Thoughts?