Coolant Loss - TDI (130bhp) Awx

**dcliff21** · 16-08-2010,02:11 PM

My 2003 Passat has been losing a bit of coolant as of late. Havent noticed any power loss, sludge or any oil in the expansion tank temperature is reading a constant 90deg also.

I notice thou that when I drive the car harder it seems to loose more than normal. I brought the car to be pressure tested but the garage a few months back said to bring it back on a another day as the underside of the car was wet (due to heavy rain at the time) and they said it would be very difficult to spot a leak.

Any ideas, im assuming that its another corroded radiator?

**martin1810** · 16-08-2010,02:15 PM

Corroded corners of the radiator is the first place to look.

**dib** · 16-08-2010,05:01 PM

I'll second that and it is often very difficult to spot with everything in place

**perky85** · 16-08-2010,08:25 PM

could be radiator, or could be water pump not returning water

**dcliff21** · 31-08-2010,12:05 PM

Thanks for the replies, timing belt, water pump and tensioners were replaced at 58k about 2 years ago. Now at 89k so dont think its the water pump.

**johnloaderuk** · 31-08-2010,12:50 PM

Had this on my wife's Passat a couple of months ago. There was a bit of coolant residue around the coolant tank cap. Replaced the cap and all is now back to normal. The expansion tank cap was was only a few pounds from VW. The seal goes after a while, I've heard others have had this. Hopefully yours may be the same, and not an expensive radiator.

**WOLFSBURG-PD** · 03-09-2010,12:45 AM

Had this strange loss of coolant for a while until it presented itself as noticeable leak in the radiator corner, mechanic said salt on the roads doesn't help. I eventually got a new radiator and all is good now I used a can of nova stop radiator sealant once and it didn't leak until I changed the radiator a month or two later real good stuff

**dcliff21** · 04-10-2010,09:20 PM

Managed to track down the leak some what after I put the car over a pit at my fathers house. In the last 2 weeks it lost more than usual it appears to be leaking from the hose at the bottom of the intercooler on the passengers side. Obviously coolant is not supposed to be leaking from here

i recon the boost pressure is forcing the coolant out the O ring seal on the hose. Anyone any ideas on where it could possibly be coming from in the charging (turbo) system? I havent had any loss in power or anything its just a pain in the *** having to check it regularly

**yaman** · 04-10-2010,09:32 PM

Like yourself, I cant see how it could be coming out of
the intercooler pipe, but its more likely dripping onto
that pipe from above.

Regards
Jim

**dcliff21** · 04-10-2010,09:38 PM

must have another look, the entire bottom of the intercooler was covered in dirt and grease attracted by the moist coolant. The sides of the rad looked ok as well so in at a loss to where else its coming from