I'm just wondering what sort of coolant consumption other EA888.3 owners on here experience? I've had answers ranging from every week to never!

For comparison, my car was topped up to near the maximum fill mark in... May... and is just about to dip below the minimum now in January. That seems about right to me. I'm hoping it isn't the start of thermostat/water pump issues.

Cheers!

Edited 17 January17 Jan by OccyVRS

Really there should be 0 consumption. In practice many cars leak a small amount.

I have never topped mine up (1.4TSI) in 2 yrs.

You probably have a small leak.

Id locate that if you want to stop the thing using coolant. It may be evident by some pink crusty stuff around a hose or even the coolant cap

Edited 17 January17 Jan by BlueWagon

I’ll have a look tomorrow - might be the EA888 thermostat issue. I hope not.

As an aside, can anyone confirm the coolant I want is G12evo? I believe it is as it’s what I bought last year, but I can’t seem to remember how I found out! The manual says G12evo or G13 (although I do know one supersedes the other).

G12 evo. It superseded G13

If you mix g13 and g12 evo, whilst not harmful at all, the coolant will turn a dirty brown.... don't ask how i know this.... and i only added 200ml.

Thought i had g13, so added that but i now know that after previous work, it have been swapped for g12 evo.

Thank you both - I did manage to find a comparability table in the end. That being said, do you know if there is any official (European) VW documentation on the change from G13 to G12evo?

I’ve yet to check the workshop manual, but the only thing I found quickly was the US bulletin.

It’s more curiosity at this point - I find it weird that VW would make the change, write in the manual that either can be used, but not give any other information. From that bulletin, it would seem that if your car came filled with G12evo and you filled it with G13 (as per the manual), you’d get “a reduction in corrosion protection”. Just seems a bit strange to me!

As i understand it G13 is designed to work in conjunction with the silica bag in the older coolant tanks (for corrosion protection)

G12 Evo will afford the same protection without the need for the silica bag

So using G13 without silica bag = less corrosion protection.

VW thinking might be its better to top up with a compatible coolant than use water alone or nothing.

36 minutes ago, adg1 said:

As i understand it G13 is designed to work in conjunction with the silica bag in the older coolant tanks (for corrosion protection)

G12 Evo will afford the same protection without the need for the silica bag

So using G13 without silica bag = less corrosion protection.

VW thinking might be its better to top up with a compatible coolant than use water alone or nothing.

That makes complete sense. Although as I was discussing with a mate earlier, I wish VWAG would release some accessible concrete information on stuff like this. Like with my engine oil, getting a definitive answer that isn’t from strangers on the internet or an extremely clued up (not) service advisor can feel impossible.

I’m in no way discrediting the wealth of knowledge on here! However I’m sure others can agree with me that sometimes, for new owners especially, it does occasionally feel that the only source of information is “trust me bro”.

Maybe don't over think it and just use G12 Evo? G13 is getting harder to get hold off and Evo is the newer product.... You can trust me on this bro.

1 hour ago, adg1 said:

Maybe don't over think it and just use G12 Evo? G13 is getting harder to get hold off and Evo is the newer product.... You can trust me on this bro.

Overthinking is something I do very well - especially with my car.

I’ve only been driving for four years, and been stung badly with two cars - one from a main dealer. I think one of the better stories was with the second one - a SEAT “master tech” told me that a noise I was hearing over bumps was age related. It definitely wasn’t the fist-sized rock an Indie found lodged in the subframe.

As a result, I’ve grown to check and double check something, twice over. For now, anyway.

Decided to get it checked out - if it is the water pump housing, I’d rather know sooner than later. Fingers crossed for me.

Generally EA888 engines aren't too bad for coolant usage. They use a little when doing a GPF regen (pressurisation of the cooling system). Always handy to have some G12evo in stock to top up - check every 7-14 days depending on usage etc.

Does anyone know where the coolant overflow pipe comes out? I know it’s meant to drop it on the ground, but not sure if that means chucking it somewhere in the engine bay.

I’d assume not as coolant is meant to be fairly corrosive?

I’ve filled it to the max so would like to check the overflow pipe to see if anything has come out during the drive. Might be an indication of air in the system, etc, rather than a knackered water pump/therm.

Thank you!

The coolant expansion tank with a pressure cap, vents anything in excess to a tube and vent hole on the permiter of the cap recess. It flows to the base of the reservoir and to the inner guard of the car beneath.

On 23/01/2026 at 07:11, OccyVRS said:

coolant is meant to be fairly corrosive?

It's not corrosive, otherwise it would destroy metalliccooling system parts like housings and water pumps.

On 24/01/2026 at 00:01, BlueWagon said:

It's not corrosive, otherwise it would destroy metalliccooling system parts like housings and water pumps.

I meant in terms of paint, etc - I know it’s not corrosive for the cooling system components (otherwise, as you say, there would be a problem)

Just an update on this -

Had the car up on the lift, but couldn’t see anything. Nothing on the undertray, sump, pump housing or anything. I’m going to keep an eye on it. There is a chance it could be the union by the hot turbo, leaving no evidence, but we shall see - think I’ll replace it at the next service anyway.