[MacTDI]

Yesterday I got this message that said "Check Coolant / Owner's Manual" on the MFI display. Went out and purchased a gallon of "VW Coolant Antifreeze" (part # G012A8G1G). This morning I proceded to top it off and it took the whole gallon before reaching "Max Level". Took my dogs out to the DogRun (30 miles round trip) and before I got there, the message "Check Coolant / Owner's Manual" re-appear.

Is it possible that more Coolant Fluid is requiered?

My 2010 TDI has 7,300 miles on the clock. The car is always garaged and I've never seen any kind of leaks/fluid on the floor.


Mike

 

[Merc]

Sounds like another water pump failure...do a search as it has become very common on the MY 2010s and 2009s. I would suggest you get it to the dealer ASAP if it's leaking that bad.

 

[noobytoogy]

Get it towed to the dealer ASAP.

 

[Yeti]

Yeah, call roadside assistance and have it towed to your dealer for a new water pump. Do not waste anymore of your coolant. You should be seeing a pinkish puddle underneith the front of your car.

 

[MacTDI]

Thanks for the quick reply, really appreciate the help.

Would it be safe to fill the tank with coolant and take the 1/2 drive (25 miles) to the dealership?

 

[noobytoogy]

Why would you do that?

Engine failure due to loss of coolant then becomes YOUR risk and not VW's.

No.

Don't do it.

 

[zannapdub]

I have had similar (idenitcal) problem, VW dealer checked vehicle out an dapparently there is a component in hte cooling circuit that acts to cool exhaust gases. If this develps a leak, coolant is lost. largish job to replace part since it is hard to get out - 10 hour job. Just about to run vehicle down for the work to commence.
This has come after a previous problem late last year when fuel pump disintegrated and contaminated fuel circuit leading replacment of all fuel system except for tank which was "washed out thoroughally". After this I noticed small oil leak which turned out to be a problem with injecter seals. all repairs under warranty, would hate to have to pay. Extended warranty is looking essential !!!

 

[fschris]

also.. i believe the coolant is R12 ? Or something like that and it needs to be cut with distilled water for a proper change. I believe 60/40 or 50/50 ? I changed/flushed the coolant on my Passat it was a PITA. so... what I am saying is just dumping the R12 into the engine is not a good idea. Get that baby towed in !

 

[MacTDI]

Just wanted to check if I had any (safe) options...
I'll be calling the dealership first thing in the morning, I'll keep you all posted.

Is there any way to check if the Coolant is bone-dry?

 

[MacTDI]

Advice well taken... water pump replaced, I'm back on the Road, Thanks.

Mike

 

[CustomSpooling]

Advice well taken... water pump replaced, I'm back on the Road, Thanks.

Mike

Good to hear. At least no damage was done

 

[zannapdub]

MY09 TDV6 Cooling system fault

I have had similar (idenitcal) problem, VW dealer checked vehicle out an dapparently there is a component in hte cooling circuit that acts to cool exhaust gases. If this develps a leak, coolant is lost. largish job to replace part since it is hard to get out - 10 hour job. Just about to run vehicle down for the work to commence.
This has come after a previous problem late last year when fuel pump disintegrated and contaminated fuel circuit leading replacment of all fuel system except for tank which was "washed out thoroughally". After this I noticed small oil leak which turned out to be a problem with injecter seals. all repairs under warranty, would hate to have to pay. Extended warranty is looking essential !!!

Hi all
as an update - following replacement of exhaust gas cooler component I drove home and experienced momentary loss of power steering going around a corner. I thought I was dreaming after previous problems (in hindsight should have checked under bonnet).....anyway next day headed off on work (700 km round trip). After about 90 kms, 1 hour driving low coolant level message appeared. Exited highway at first opporunity and lost power steering at low speed and almost had collision as exiting. Checked under bonnet and observed coolant sprayed everywhere over front of engine !!!!! Had Treg trucked to dealer where leak in recently replaced exhaust gas cooling component was found. Currently in the process of being repaired. Have to wait 2 days for replacment part to arrive.
So....BEWARE of low coolant level message....it may this exhaust gas cooling component leaking into exhaust with no obvious sign of coolant leak OR problem with this component and obvious sign of coolant and potentially loss of power steering.

 

[noobytoogy]

@ MacTDI - glad you are sorted.

@ zannapdub - seems odd to lose power steering due to an exhaust gas coolant problem. I hope you haven't got 2 problems there rather than one.

 

[Talat]

I have the same problem with my 2010 Touareg TDI. About a month ago the coolant warning came on. I also saw a puddle of liquid/fluid underneath the in front of the car. I took it to the dealership and they top the coolant level off and checked everything out and they did not find anything. They did pressure test too. As I read the comments above and your experience, I beleive that I have the water pump issue. Did you ask the dealer to simply replace the water pump or did you convince them to do so?
thanks

Talat
Riverside, CA

 

[zannapdub]

Hi Talat
No I did no ask the dealer to repace the water pump.
Sorry for any confusion.
I have had 2 breakdowns.. the first involved catastrohic failure of the high pressure fuel pump (see previous post).

The second involved low cooling level messages / cooling circuit problems with no obvious signs of leaks initially since the leak was internal - into the exhaust gas. following repair of the exhaust gas cooling component, there was a subequent coolant leak which seemed to have caused the power steering belts to slip. This leak was either due to installation of the replacement part or with an existing small pipe which attached to the replaced component which cools the exhaust gases.

Thanks for the advice. I shall definitely ask the dealer at next service about the water pump - particularly since there seem to have been a number of posts about this. Also VW customer care (hopefully not Customer tell someone who cares as my nissan loving colleage espouses !!!!) have listened to my treg problems. I would strongly suggest that you talk to them as well. They were sympathetic and sounded well intentioned - hopefully they also assisted the dealer techs and the information feeds back into VW QA system for all our benefit.

 

[Yeti]

I have the same problem with my 2010 Touareg TDI. About a month ago the coolant warning came on. I also saw a puddle of liquid/fluid underneath the in front of the car. I took it to the dealership and they top the coolant level off and checked everything out and they did not find anything. They did pressure test too. As I read the comments above and your experience, I beleive that I have the water pump issue. Did you ask the dealer to simply replace the water pump or did you convince them to do so?
thanks

Talat
Riverside, CA

Well if they don't replace it now, they will replace it when it pukes coolant. If you have a pinkish fluid under your car on a regular basis, the water pump is leaking. Take it in and tell them there is an issue with leaking water pumps if they have not changed one yet. Refer them to this site if need be. We have a whole thread of people who have had theirs changed out already.