VRS 2015 Losing Coolant

[BlockABoots]

For the last few months have been noticing wet patches under the front of my car when parked over night, when the car informed me coolant level was low a few days later I knew it was coolant which was leaking. 

I have notice the coolant is collecting on the engine bay tray at the front of the car and then dripping off that on to the floor. 

 

To started with I only had to top up the coolant once every 10 days but now 2 months on it's now every 2 days or so!

 

I have the car booked in for a service with the local dealer next week and I mentioned the issue to them but they turned around and said I would have to pay a further £90 on top of the service which I took issue with and said its a service and inspection so why do I need to pay an attitional charge when the car is already in for a service and if the engineer is any good he'll spot the issue anyways. 

 

I understand this coolant leak with the VRS is a common problem?. What is the usual cause of this issue, pump or just a perished hose?. I'd hope its not the water pump at the car has only done 35k!

[Gaz]

Good for you for calling them out over the £90 

 

If it were me, I'd be tempted to have a look myself, and if spotted, stick big red arrow pointer with 'Leak?' on it.

 

G

[vrs'burks]

Coolant pump housing is a massive weak point them. . Not just on vrs' but all the VAG platforms using the tsi engine.

 

Mine had waterpump and housing replaced under warranty with less than 28k miles on it last year. . Had the same symptoms, coolant collecting on undertray and having to top it up almost daily. . I also noticed a very sweet smell when the engine was hot after it'd been running and the sump was covered in white streaks where the coolant had dried on.

 

I'd get the dealer to look at it,diagnose it is the waterpump, then get a independent specialist to replace it, will work out cheaper.

 

 

[OldAndyMac]

Very likely the water pump or housing - it is all one big plastic unit and a pain to remove (read lots of labour!). I had mine done a year ago on my VRS after the same symptoms as you. It wont be cheap unfortunately so using an independent, preferably a German car specialist as they would have done many before, would be ideal.

 

Unfortunately, I still have a very small leak somewhere as I am having to top up every few months. No visible signs of a leak, no steam, no mayonnaise in the oil etc so not sure where it is going.

[BlockABoots]

So just got a call from the dealership to say the service has been carried out and the issue with the coolant is indeed the water pump!!. They quote £988 to fix the issue wtf!!!! 

 

Contacted a independent specialist and they want £730, so cheaper but still a lot of money!!!.

 

Has no class action been bought out about this part failing, as the failure rate is high and considering my cars only done 34k and the pump has failed suggested that the quality of this pump is crap!! 

 

Also do dealership still offer discounts if you say your part of this forum?? 

[maximus300]

Mine is in at the dealers at the moment, 68 plate black edition VRS, 39k miles. Thermostat housing leak and they have offered to replace the water pump at the same time. Having now read all the posts, I understand why they want to replace the pump. Presumably because it is the source of the problem, or did I get that wrong? They quoted me £940.

Shall I ask for the parts they have taken out so I can "inspect them"? I get the feeling that they are hiding something. No dealer offers to replace something for free because "it is the same labour". All sounds a bit fishy.

 

 

 

[OldAndyMac]

I thought that the thermostat and waterpump were integrated into the same housing ?! Could be wrong of course  good video below showing on the the crappy units.

 

 

 

Edited 23 June, 2022 by OldAndyMac

[BlockABoots]

One thing i forgot to mention is they also tried to change me for 3 x£7 for coolant to top the system back up as they said the 'BLUE' coolant i had in the boot wasnt the right stuff and needed to be 'PINK'!!!. What does the colour have to do it!??. I told them to just top it up with water and ill add my own

[vrs'burks]

3 hours ago, BlockABoots said:

One thing i forgot to mention is they also tried to change me for 3 x£7 for coolant to top the system back up as they said the 'BLUE' coolant i had in the boot wasnt the right stuff and needed to be 'PINK'!!!. What does the colour have to do it!??. I told them to just top it up with water and ill add my own

Quite alot. . Don't mix them or you could end up with jelly for coolant.

 

Just top up with distilled water for now, but the coolant contains alot of additives to prevent internal engine corrosion. . So you don't want to completely dilute it, which will eventually happen if your losing coolant quickly

Edited 24 June, 2022 by vrs'burks

[Ootohere]

It is Summer Coolant / Anti Freeze & Rust inhibitor and has a different freezing point and boiling point from water in the pressurised system so simply use the correct stuff and to the correct ratio (strength)  None of it is complicated.

[OldAndyMac]

They colour the coolant as they have different specs and cant be mixed. It is supposed to make it easier for people that no nothing about cars to pick the right coolant.

[Ootohere]

Do not choose Coolant by colour or assume similar colours are the correct spec for a vehicle.

Those that bought import cars from the east that came to the UK and never knew the difference between OAT & HOAT has been the death of many an engine.

[juan27]

I had all the thermostat housing/water pump mullarkey last year, thankfully had a five year warranty from new.

 

Anyone know if the replacement parts they are fitting now will last any longer than the originals?

[nidza]

Definitely, or they seal it differently when assembling it, mine was little leaking from the start, and now in its 5th and 6th year of life it does not.