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Golf GTI Using Coolant...

  • 12-03-2010 11:54am
    #1
    logie101
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 449 ✭✭


    Looking for any advice.


    I have a Mark 5 Golf GTI with 90,000km which has recently started to use coolant fluid.

    Every couple of weeks i have to top it up with coolant fluid. A friend told me that a car should'nt really be using any coolant fluid. Is this true?

    What could be the reason for it using coolant fluid?


Comments

  • #2
    peasant
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    Coolant is supposed to be a closed circuit.

    There are only two ways it could be "used"

    1) you have a leak somewhere in the system
    2) the cylinder head on the engine is faulty and you're burning water

    The first option is a nuisance but fixable, the second one is potentially terminal for the engine.

    Get it checked (soon)


  • #3
    hiluxman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 207 ✭✭hiluxman


    more than likely its a coolant leak rather than the head gasket. theres lots of different plastic water housings on that engine and they warp and leak. another possibility could be the water pump. theres also the obvious like a radiator leak. get it checked soon cause if it runs low on coolant, you could blow the head gasket


  • #4
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 23,339 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    peasant wrote: »
    Coolant is supposed to be a closed circuit.

    There are only two ways it could be "used"

    1) you have a leak somewhere in the system
    2) the cylinder head on the engine is faulty and you're burning water

    The first option is a nuisance but fixable, the second one is potentially terminal for the engine.

    Get it checked (soon)

    Just to mention that both options are potentially terminal for the engine :) In case someone reads this and thinks a leak is fine :)


  • #5
    mickdw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,793 ✭✭✭✭mickdw


    Its foolish to drive around with that problem as it will likely get worse some day when you are not expecting it & you might fry the engine.
    Id have a quick look around for leaks with the car running on the driveway. It might be obvious.


  • #6
    peasant
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,819 ✭✭✭✭peasant


    Some coolant leaks can be quite sneaky. The coolant seeps out of some hose or joint where you can't see it and drips on to the hot exhaust or other hot bits, evaporates and never makes it to the ground.
    All you'll ever see is the coolant level going down.

    A garage can pressure test the system, that will make leaks rather obvious.


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  • #7
    mickdw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,793 ✭✭✭✭mickdw


    Thats true but you do tend to get some hints. You can often smell it burning off even through the air vents in the car at times.


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