Make a donation

Author Topic: Coolant leak  (Read 4980 times)

dansmith180

  • Guest
Coolant leak
« on: December 09, 2014, 03:14:44 pm »
Hi guys, got a coolant leak coming from right hand side of the engine (opposite side to the coolant reservoir) I can see coolant on the gearbox but can't see where it comes from. It's been intermittent for a while, seems to be fine for 2 weeks and then lose about 300ml the next week but is getting worse.

I've checked for head gasket signs and there's no overheating problems. Any ideas guys? Thanks.

Offline lukemk5gti

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 28
  • -Receive: 118
  • Posts: 1845
    • Email
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,89715.msg907250.html#msg907250
Re: Coolant leak
« Reply #1 on: December 09, 2014, 03:31:59 pm »
Hi guys, got a coolant leak coming from right hand side of the engine (opposite side to the coolant reservoir) I can see coolant on the gearbox but can't see where it comes from. It's been intermittent for a while, seems to be fine for 2 weeks and then lose about 300ml the next week but is getting worse.

I've checked for head gasket signs and there's no overheating problems. Any ideas guys? Thanks.

Just from my gf's past experience in her golf, her water pump was leaking which caused it but that wouldn't explain why it's on that side!

Looks like if it's intermittent and might be temperature dependant? Maybe after a hard drive the tiny slit in a hose somewhere softened up and opened but under normal cold conditions it stays shut.

Offline scopes

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 131
  • -Receive: 115
  • Posts: 2283
  • Wolfsburg Edition
    • My GTI
    • Email
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,49748.0.html
Re: Coolant leak
« Reply #2 on: December 09, 2014, 03:34:12 pm »
theres a thermometer on that side of the engine, just above the gearbox, Maybe worth a look.

 :happy2:
If it's not broke, Mod it.....



Silver is the way !

dansmith180

  • Guest
Re: Coolant leak
« Reply #3 on: December 09, 2014, 03:36:53 pm »
It seems to be more after short drives like my 1.5 mile journey to work and back as I've seen 3 puddles at work but none after a long or hard drive. And I thought water pump but there's been no overhearing issues so probably (and hopefuly) not that.

dansmith180

  • Guest
Re: Coolant leak
« Reply #4 on: December 09, 2014, 03:38:14 pm »
theres a thermometer on that side of the engine, just above the gearbox, Maybe worth a look.

 :happy2:

My main one was replaced about 5 months ago so possible something wasn't put on fully tight....

dansmith180

  • Guest
Re: Coolant leak
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2014, 03:38:53 pm »
Anybody know a rough price and how long a pressure test takes?

Offline SiofChester

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 16
  • -Receive: 6
  • Posts: 187
Re: Coolant leak
« Reply #6 on: December 09, 2014, 03:54:35 pm »
Minutes and you can normally blag them for free

dansmith180

  • Guest
Re: Coolant leak
« Reply #7 on: December 09, 2014, 04:10:46 pm »
Minutes and you can normally blag them for free

Cheers, I suppose they make money if they need to fix something.

dansmith180

  • Guest
Re: Coolant leak
« Reply #8 on: December 09, 2014, 06:23:00 pm »
Since it leaked today I put it on the ramp and chased the coolant trail, removed the intake and found there's a small split in one of the heater matrix pipes near the clip. Luckily nothing major.

Thanks for the suggestions guys  :happy2:

Offline lukemk5gti

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 28
  • -Receive: 118
  • Posts: 1845
    • Email
  • My Ride: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,89715.msg907250.html#msg907250
Re: Coolant leak
« Reply #9 on: December 10, 2014, 08:46:27 am »
Since it leaked today I put it on the ramp and chased the coolant trail, removed the intake and found there's a small split in one of the heater matrix pipes near the clip. Luckily nothing major.

Thanks for the suggestions guys  :happy2:

I stand by my second comment "Looks like if it's intermittent and might be temperature dependant? Maybe after a hard drive the tiny slit in a hose somewhere softened up and opened but under normal cold conditions it stays shut."

Glad you got it sorted so easily, tracing back some of these lines can be a real pain sometimes. FYI after my gf's water pump was replaced it kept leaking intermittently and I never found the solution. She just thinks you top up coolant as regularly as you top up window washer fluid!! If she ever read this comment I'd get a bottle of G13 to the head!

dansmith180

  • Guest
Re: Coolant leak
« Reply #10 on: December 11, 2014, 09:05:34 am »
Since it leaked today I put it on the ramp and chased the coolant trail, removed the intake and found there's a small split in one of the heater matrix pipes near the clip. Luckily nothing major.

Thanks for the suggestions guys  :happy2:

I stand by my second comment "Looks like if it's intermittent and might be temperature dependant? Maybe after a hard drive the tiny slit in a hose somewhere softened up and opened but under normal cold conditions it stays shut."

Glad you got it sorted so easily, tracing back some of these lines can be a real pain sometimes. FYI after my gf's water pump was replaced it kept leaking intermittently and I never found the solution. She just thinks you top up coolant as regularly as you top up window washer fluid!! If she ever read this comment I'd get a bottle of G13 to the head!

 :signLOL: