nicolaparks2000 Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Hi guys, Well im back again, it was only a bout a week and a half ago i was on here asking about my window that fell in the door. Well, this morning i was just driving down my street and a big warning sign come on the computer saying STOP!! i thought oh my god what now. It was flashing and saying check coolant.. Well im just guessing that i must be low on coolant. I dint even know that the coolant had to be topped up. does it???? The car is 5 year old and its been recently chipped so i was thinking maybe the engine uses more coolant now.. I dunno, hopefully ill just have to fill the coolant up.. Anyone agree with me? Thanks, Nicola Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobby Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Hi, Chipped or not it shouldn't theoretically use any coolant. My Passat TDI has had to be topped up twice in 35k, once from completely empty!! Check all your coolant pipes for signs of leaks, then just top it up and cross your fingers that your head gasket isnt going. Does your oil look ok? Any emulsification on the filler cap? Mine has no leaks but seem to use a little bit, my oil is clean and it runs ok. RobK EDIT! Remember to add an antifreeze/ inhibitor mix matching whatever you already use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustynuts Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 VW coolant is specific. Don't add anything which isn't compatible with the standard stuff as it sludges when combined. The VW stuff is either pink or purple depending on which it is (G11 or G12) and isn't expensive from the dealers. If you really want to put the cheap stuff in, make certain you flush out all the cooling system and radiator thoroughly. But I'd just top it up with 50/50 water and VW stuff. Remember, green + pink = brown sludge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustynuts Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Just had a thought. I've checked your profile, and you have a GT TDI, correct? Which engine does it have? Either TDI 110 bhp, TDI PD115, or TDI PD130? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobby Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Hi Rusty. When i bought my car (not from VW) it had the green stuff in. Remember i had the cam belt done a while back, all the radiator had to come off etc. When i got the car back it had the pink stuff in it!! Does it need a thorough flush to stop sludge forming? Everything seems ok with the cooling, Does this pink stuff have to come from VW or can i match it at a motor factors? Is it worth me giving the system a good flush and refill just in case they didnt when they did the belt? I was impressed with the people that did the belt. RobK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustynuts Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 I'd like to think that they flushed it (sounds like they know what they're doing), but if it was mine, i'd do it while there's still fluid, not sludge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobby Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Thanks, Was thinking the same, will get some sorted and flush the system/ radiator etc. Seems silly me using the green antifreeze. If it ever goes into the dealers it will make matters complicated. Best keep things as standard RobK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicolaparks2000 Posted July 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Hi, i have a gt tdi 115 engine and its chipped. nicola Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustynuts Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Nicola, just the answer I didn't want to hear. The PD115 has a nasty habit of losing coolant for a few weeks/months, then developing into a head gasket failure. I'd be looking for a good shop to have the head removed and a new gasket fitted. Coolant doesn't just disappear, and if there's no sign of it leaking anywhere, then it's probably the head gasket. This doesn't seem to be a problem on the other engines, just the 115. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulkbear Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Rustynuts is right (as always) the PD115 AUY Engine have a common promblem with blowning gaskets but if you do have to get the head gasket done make sure the coolant system is fushed (if oil has gone into the cooling system) with vw own flushing fluid (£5 a bottle) as it clears all oil residue from the system. P.S Rusty nuts where do you work as you seem the know your stuff when it comes to vee dubs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobby Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 He doesn't work at a VW dealers!!!! ha ha Thats how he knows his stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobby Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Presumably a bad idea to chip a 115 TDI They didn't seem such a popular seller these and were quickily changed for the 100PD and 130PD, was the 115 model VW's first attempt with the PD engine? RobK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mulkbear Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 I DON'T KNOW I ONLY WORK AT A DEALER ok i lied The first PD came in the passat 1998 which was a AJM 115 bhp but it was not the same engine, as ones that have the problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicolaparks2000 Posted July 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 Ah Frig, this car is a pain in the butt. I only had it since Jan. SO how much is it to replace the head gasket? nico Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobby Posted July 13, 2005 Report Share Posted July 13, 2005 I think you will be better to top it up and measure how much its using. My Astravan i used to have used water for 6 months b4 it finally went!! Measure what its using, it will get harder and harder to start for a week before to goes altogether I dont think it does the engine any good allowing it to get really bad. I think you would be better putting it back to standard (either remove tuning box or remap it back to standard) then get rid of it and go for a 130 TDI. RobK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustynuts Posted July 16, 2005 Report Share Posted July 16, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I think you would be better putting it back to standard (either remove tuning box or remap it back to standard) then get rid of it and go for a 130 TDI. [/ QUOTE ]Remove the tuning box, yes. But no point unchipping it to sell it as it's most likely been flashed, and the time and effort won't get you anything back. If it has been chipped with a soldered in unit, then you need the old one to go back in, again, a bit of a chew. Maybe better to tell the prospective buyer that it's chipped and hope he's a boy racer who'll be impressed and want it even more. [ QUOTE ] Presumably a bad idea to chip a 115 TDI [/ QUOTE ]The chip won't make any difference to the head gasket failure, if it's gonna happen, it'll do it anyway. However, the 115 takes to tuning chips very well, and you can get a good percentage increase when you do it. The 130 doesn't quite get the same sort of improvement for the same procedure. Maybe VW left a bit less slack in there when they made the 130. [ QUOTE ] P.S Rusty nuts where do you work as you seem the know your stuff when it comes to vee dubs [/ QUOTE ]No, I don't work at a dealers. However, I spent a lot of years building and modifying Mk 1 and Mk 2 Escorts up to fast road / rally spec, doing all the work myself, and cars are a hobby. I just like to know how things work so when it doesn't, I can fix it. Edit: Anyone got an idea on price for a head gasket change? If it's close to timing belt change time, maybe do that aswell at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicolaparks2000 Posted July 20, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2005 Hello, i got some coolant from VW its a nice pink colour. I topped up my coolant. I feel now though that im driving on egg shells and my car is going to suddenly come to a halt cause the head gasket has gone. Is there any other signs that i could look for to see if its on its way out? i have checked the oil and its at the right level and it looks ok (quite dark). No gunk under the oil cap. (what colour would this be if there was?) thanks guys, nicola Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustynuts Posted July 20, 2005 Report Share Posted July 20, 2005 The oil doesn't generally get contaminated, until it lets go. What happens is that the compression in the combustion chamber gets past the gasket into the coolant system and over pressures it. The excess pressure is lost out of the coolant bottle lid, along with coolant. If coolant gets into the oil, it'll look like mayonnaise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobby Posted July 20, 2005 Report Share Posted July 20, 2005 Just top it up and keep an eye on the levels. The car starts and runs ok? If it is going i bet it will take a while. Stop worrying, mine uses coolant sometimes, twice i have had the stop sign up and topped it up. Nothing really you can do about it, if its going to go, it will go! I wouldn't have it looked at unless you are sure its going. I think you will get signs to warn you it is going to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicolaparks2000 Posted July 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 Hi, What about the temperature needle moving between 70 and 90 degrees. is that ok? it only used to ever stay on 90 when i first got it. Thanks nicola Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustynuts Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 That sounds like an air [combustion gas] bubble in the coolant system. The temp sensor reads by contact with water/coolant, so if you got air in there, it'll lose its reading. You'll be getting air in by compression from the piston through the failing head gasket. Possibly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 Either that or the temperature sensor need replacing or the guage is on the blink... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wobby Posted July 22, 2005 Report Share Posted July 22, 2005 I forgot about that!! OK.... START WORRYING !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicolaparks2000 Posted July 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2005 Hi I went to a garage today and the mechanic took a look at it. Anyway he found why i was loosing coolant. There is a hole in the radiator. Gonna have to get some Radseal then get it sorted. I hope this is all it is. Reckons it would cost bout 80 quid for radiator and 60 quid labour. Nico Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustynuts Posted July 23, 2005 Report Share Posted July 23, 2005 Cheaper than a new head gasket. Did you look to see if there was a puddle under the car when you got up in the morning? It could've saved you a bit of nerves and worry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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