2001 Passt TDi Coolant leak

[g4ryhunt]

Hi,

I have a 2001 passat Tdi (90k mile) which is leaking a sever amount of coolant. If I fill the coolant to the max line, the car will ping me with a warning that the coolant is low after about 40 miles of driving. There is no evidence of leak and I have had a garage confirm this for me. They suggested that the head gasket was gone given that there were traces of oil in the coolant. However, there is no milky residue in the oil cap or dip stick and the performance of the car hasn't reduced. Given I am losing so much coolant I would have thought I would have seen some of these symptomes.

Can anyone provide ideas as to what the problem could be as I don't want to replace the head gasket if I don't have to!!

Thanks

[adamss24]

Head gasket. Replace with the corect one. Has the engine overheated badly ? Its not necessary to skim the head just replace with a genuine one. You could have a compression check with the engine HOT(after a long drive) and if there are diferent readings between adjiacent cylinders then the head gasket its blown. Read trough the posts as they were few cases like yours...

[PTEK]

I concur with adamss24, my experience suggests Head Gasket as well. However I think there is another check you should also do.
Is the passenger footwell wet? During investigation into my own car's coolant loss problem, the heater matrix was found to have failed depositing coolant in this area. It may be possible that you have a similar problem. Hope that is not the case though, as it is not a cheap fix, and you may well end up changing the head gasket anyway.

[adamss24]

Hi, dont wanna sound rude but i am a bit sceptical, me ! If its that good to seal a craked block, i bet it will play havoc with the water chanels inside the block ! I have seen "fried" piston rings and damaged pistons/heads because owners tried to fix a radiator leak with mustard seeds and wonder "stop leaks" products. It may work ok on a petrol engine for a while but i doubt it will last on a diesel, due to higher compressions. I would fix the gasket first and i wouldnt have nothing in my header tank but G12 antifreeze. Thanks.