Excessive coolant loss????

[Suicida1 Zombie]

So I got in the car thos morning on my normal drive to work and was greeted with a 'Check Coolant' warning. It was cold and dark so I thought I would check it when getting to work.

Now the coolant was closer to min than max when I first took delivery of the car but look at this!

Take in to consideration that the car is also parked on a slight hill (front of car is lower than the back) so that actually looks better that it is!

Now I am not sure if I should just top it up and see how I go on or just take it straight to seat.

The car (2.0 150 TDI FR with DSG) has done 9,500 miles since I had it in june and the coolant has never been topped up.

What do you guys think is the best course of action?

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[car-help-uk]

top it up and then go to the dealers. don't drive it with the level very low

 

[Suicida1 Zombie]

Will grab some coolant on the way home then. Anyone know what spec is needed?

 

[ZBOYD]

FROM THE MANUAL

The engine cooling system is supplied from the factory with a specially treated mixture of water and, at least, 40 % of the additive G 13 (TLVW 774 J). The engine coolant additive is recognisable by its purple colour.

This mixture of water and additive gives the necessary frost protection down to -25°C (-13 F) and protects the light alloy parts of the cooling system against corrosion. It also prevents scaling and considerably raises the boiling point of the coolant.
To protect the engine cooling system, the percentage of additive must always be at least 40%, even in warm climates where anti-freeze protection is not required.

If greater frost protection is required in very cold climates, the proportion of additive can be increased. However, the percentage of additive should not exceed 60%, as this would reduce the frost protection and, in turn, decrease the cooling capacity.


When the coolant is topped up, use a mixture of distilled water and, at least, 40% of the G 13 or G 12 plus-plus (TL-VW 774 G) additive (both are purple) to obtain an optimum anticorrosion protection ⇒ . The mixture of G 13 with G 12 plus (TL-VW 774 F), G 12 (red) or G 11 (green-blue) engine coolants will significantly reduce the anticorrosion protection and should, therefore be avoided.


If there is not enough anti-freeze in the coolant system, the engine may fail leading to serious damage.

● Please make sure that the percentage of additive is correct with re- spect to the lowest expected ambient temperature in the zone in which the vehicle is to be used.
● When the outside temperature is very low, the coolant could freeze and the vehicle would be immobilised. In this case, the heating would not work either and inadequately dressed passengers could die of cold.

The original additives should never be mixed with coolants which are not approved by SEAT. Otherwise, you run the risk of causing severe damage to the engine and the engine cooling system.

● If the fluid in the expansion tank is not purple but is, for example, brown, this indicates that the G 13 additive has been mixed with an inade- quate coolant. The coolant must be changed as soon as possible if this is the case! This could result in serious faults and engine damage.

 

[ZBOYD]

It goes on to say -

Any loss of coolant fluid normally indicates a leak in the cooling system. Take the vehicle straight to a specialised workshop to have the cooling system examined. If there are no leaks in the engine cooling system, a loss of coolant can only occur if the coolant boils and is forced out of the system as a result of overheating.

 

[dieselface]

Use your breakdown cover to get some coolant to your car?

I wouldn't go driving that anymore.

Secondly take it straight to your dealer. Don't ring them trying to book it in. That should be looked at as a priority.

 

[Suicida1 Zombie]

I'm going to fill it up on the way home and its booked in for the 21st (I need a car off them) and until then I will check it daily.

 

[Suicida1 Zombie]

Can anyone help me out. I cant find G13 coolant anywhere on halfords website.....

 

[ZBOYD]

Its VW spec, any VW group dealer or VW parts outlets will stock it.

See if you have a TPS outlet locally or Euro Car Parts or GSF are likely to stock it.

http://www.thetradepartsspecialists.co.uk

ECP have it ready mixed

http://www.eurocarparts.com/red-antifreeze/searchkeyword/G13 coolant

 

[Suicida1 Zombie]

Excellent, thanks very much, there is one right next to me in stoke, lifesaver.

 

[ZBOYD]

TPS are setup for trade only, but they will often do cash sales at the counter.

ECP is for anyone.

 

[Suicida1 Zombie]

Thats good news then as its the ECP store that is near by....

 

[ZBOYD]

Thats good news then as its the ECP store that is near by....

 

[Suicida1 Zombie]

ZBOYD: You have been a massive help today, Kudos to you.

Thanks to everyone else too!

Will report back on this topic next week once I have had the problem looked at

 

[ZBOYD]

No worries, hope it gets sorted quickly.

 

[Jarre]

Personally I'd have rang SEAT assistance and have them send the AAA out, then had my car towed to the dealer, I then would have had a replacement hire car while it was being looked at!

 

[fatal3rror]

A few weeks back, in my old A1, I noticed that the coolant level was below the Minimum. I called AA as the manual said the same thing that it is normally a sign of leakage or the result of overheating. The engineer said it is probably because of the warm summer we had. He, however, did a cold and hot pressure test but didn't find anything. So just topped it up!

 

[skidpan]

A few weeks back, in my old A1, I noticed that the coolant level was below the Minimum. I called AA as the manual said the same thing that it is normally a sign of leakage or the result of overheating. The engineer said it is probably because of the warm summer we had. He, however, did a cold and hot pressure test but didn't find anything. So just topped it up!

What complete bollocks. Cooling systems are sealed and in normal use there should be very little (if any) loss of coolant. Had my BMW 5 1/2 years and in that time, like most cars I have owned, I never added any coolant.

If cars use coolant there is a reason and it needs sorting. It will not get better on its own and if it suddenly became worse you could have a seized engine.

 

[fatal3rror]

What complete bollocks. Cooling systems are sealed and in normal use there should be very little (if any) loss of coolant. Had my BMW 5 1/2 years and in that time, like most cars I have owned, I never added any coolant.

If cars use coolant there is a reason and it needs sorting. It will not get better on its own and if it suddenly became worse you could have a seized engine.

It's a good thing this happened right before my lease ended and now I have my Leon SC!

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[Daniel1431]

I have just had the same problem on my SEAT Leon this morning. I have had the car 7 weeks now and was greeted with the warning light when I arrived at work. I now have to drive the car home and may call the dealer asking for a car so that I can get to and from work. Still... I have to drive home but will check the level before I go driving the car again... Not very happy.