Jeff_VR6 0 Posted June 11, 2004 Report Share Posted June 11, 2004 my VR OBD1 is losing coolant quite rapidly.the warning light lit up one day and i popped the hood and found that i had very little coolant in the reservoir. so i thought, ok lets add some then... so i did, to the maximum point... but then after a week or so, i checked it again, and it was at the minimum point. my question is, is the engine supposed to *use* the coolant.. would it disappear? as far as i know it is a sealed system?also, what are the common problems? hope the radiator isn't gone...p.s. the engine isn't boiling over...Any help appreciatedThanks,Jeff Link to post Share on other sites
Pittuf 0 Posted June 11, 2004 Report Share Posted June 11, 2004 Sounds like a leak to me mate, it shouldn't use coolant like that!!The level does fluctuate depending on how hot or cold the car is tho. Someone else will have to take from here, I'm lost now, lol[ Edited Fri Jun 11 2004, 04:48PM ][ Edited Fri Jun 11 2004, 04:48PM ] Link to post Share on other sites
Guest couzens Posted June 11, 2004 Report Share Posted June 11, 2004 Check the thermostat housing located on the right hand side of the engine as looking at it. More than likely to be that if car not boiling over.Check underneath front of car where the power steering pipe runs across the front of the engine. There might be dried coolant on there where its dripped down.[ Edited Fri Jun 11 2004, 05:23PM ] Link to post Share on other sites
FishWick 21 Posted June 11, 2004 Report Share Posted June 11, 2004 Yep the stat housing is a classic weakness. It's plastic and warps. Also, the main water pump will spew coolant out if the internal seal blows. So you're looking for leaks at the pulley end and the gearbox end.The auxillary pump is another classic, it's behind the coilpack.Another weak spot is the heat exchanger hose. That's bolted to the front of the block.I won't even go there with a blown head gasket as you would definitely know about that.K[ Edited Fri Jun 11 2004, 06:37PM ] Link to post Share on other sites
acf8181 0 Posted June 11, 2004 Report Share Posted June 11, 2004 i've got big coolant probs...head gasket has just been changed. but the coolant keeps dissappearing and when there is any in it looks like chilli sauce in the reservoir. i can't find a leak anywhere. please someone tell me its not a faulty h/g?i've found that there is holes in the top of the reservoir, presume as a vent? Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Steve 0 Posted June 11, 2004 Report Share Posted June 11, 2004 acf - oil cooler? Link to post Share on other sites
VRmonster 1 Posted June 12, 2004 Report Share Posted June 12, 2004 i had this problem, losing coolant all the time. and one day after a quick blast she was out of water and overheated. found out my heater matrix was on the way out and had split, pissing red hot water and steam out of the heater vents, lol. so id check the footwells for dampness too, if not have someone who knows what theyre doing look at it, as this only cost me £100 to fix the matrix, but i dont know what damage it has done to my engine in the long run, and my damn carpet still isnt dry, lol. Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff_VR6 0 Posted June 12, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2004 thanks for all that info..hope its just a thermostat..do i just get a new one from the VW dealer or are there any better choices ?thanks,jeff Link to post Share on other sites
Guest couzens Posted June 12, 2004 Report Share Posted June 12, 2004 Depends where you are but I think its a trickey job to do. Mine was done by autotecknic in Southampton. Cost £168 and they used original vag parts but appartently the housing has been upgraded because this is a common problem. The thermostat is replaced at the same time but I think Pete recommended a Neuspeed thermostat in the parts section as being a good one to go for.Personally I would get it from Vag and perhaps get a VW SPECIALIST WHO KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT THEIR DOING to put it on for you. Autotechnic recommended if near Soton. Link to post Share on other sites
kilokilla 0 Posted June 12, 2004 Report Share Posted June 12, 2004 could be your expansion tank cap ie where you fill the water its common vw problem and if the pressure seal is on way out it will let water seep out of the little overflow hole in top ov expansion tank. Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff_VR6 0 Posted June 13, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2004 ahh... the problem is... i'm in hong kong.. and no one knows anything about VWs... (let alone VR6s)i had my VR6 privately imported... ==__==" Link to post Share on other sites
jamieVR6 0 Posted June 13, 2004 Report Share Posted June 13, 2004 ahh... the problem is... i'm in hong kong.. and no one knows anything about VWs... (let alone VR6s)i had my VR6 privately imported... ==__=="OOPS! I bets thats gonna be fun lol. At least you'll have a unique car, looks like you'll have to become one of these "DIY Mechanics" Link to post Share on other sites
ingham 5 Posted June 14, 2004 Report Share Posted June 14, 2004 now thats gonner be tricky (being in hong kong) then but any good mechanic should with the right info be able to sort it ( i would highly recomend the neuspeed thermostat ,have one in mine!) Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff_VR6 0 Posted June 14, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2004 the most i can do for my car is change the wheel and check the oil, coolant etc... dont know how to do anything else... so no DIY for me JUST YET i think the local mechanics should be able to sort it, but i dont want them to mess up my car since they dont know shite about it... what do you all think?p.s. one garage wouldn't believe it's a V6 under the bonnet until i popped the hood and let him see for himself.. good entertainment isn't it. Link to post Share on other sites
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