Intermittent Problem - "STOP - CHECK COOLANT"

[Norbreck21a]

Guys,

I got the above warning a few times during the bad winter we had in Jan / Feb this year, and it came on again once last week, and again this morning.

The DIS display bonged and displayed - "STOP ! CHECK COOLANT".

I did the same thing as I did last time, i.e. actually check the coolant which as suspected was right between the MAX and MIN line (where it always is), so I don't think I've lost any coolant ? After turning the car off, and re-starting, the warning disappeared ?

My guess is that it's a bad sensor but which one ? The only other thing is when it happened last week, the outside temp was approx 2°C and the car covered in frost. This morning the ice warning was on again and the temperature was 3.5°C, so it would seem that it's only affected in cold weather ?

Anyone any ideas ?

Cheers

Andrew

[Andy]

thier is a sensor inside the the coolant bottle..orobs that one that is faulty

[Norbreck21a]

Ah cheers Maxitrol.

Any idea if these are cheap and easy to replace ?

[richtung]

Its a well know problem on the MK4 - not sure on the MK5.

You have to replace the whole bottle which is less than a tenner from VW (im not sure if the bottle on the MK4 is the same as the MK5 - it does look the same)

Its not particularly hard to do, the hardest part i found was taking care not spill the coolant.

Hope this helps

Rich

[QD MBE]

Its a well know problem on the MK4 - not sure on the MK5.

You have to replace the whole bottle which is less than a tenner from VW (im not sure if the bottle on the MK4 is the same as the MK5 - it does look the same)

Its not particularly hard to do, the hardest part i found was taking care not spill the coolant.

Hope this helps

Rich

x2.

I replaced one on my MK4.

[mortygttdi]

Andrew part number is 1K0 121 407A its about £16 from VW takes about 30 mins to change and its held in by 2 torx screws and the coolant hoses.

Darren

[Norbreck21a]

Cheers Darren,

I'll get one ordered today.

BTW, I assume that the new expansion tank comes with the level sensor pre-installed ?

[mortygttdi]

Yes comes moulded into the bottle mate

Darren

[Norbreck21a]

Sorted, thanks for the part number Darren. Even managed to get some discount so it only cost £14.10

Only problem is the pure white of the new bottle really shows up my dirty engine bay. Must get round to giving it a clean