[Mccallum42]

I have a 2009 touareg v6 with 215k miles that I got from my sister In law. They bought it in 2016 and put a little over 90k on it. They are the kind of people who do not maintain their vehicles, so I have no idea what the maintenance records for this car is. That being said, it's in decent shape. However, the coolant is very low, I cant even see it in the res. I'm planning on doing a flush, but since vw requires such specific coolant, should I use any flush additives? Or just stick with water and new coolant? Any tips for a first time VW owner?

 

[jeffnhiscars]

Personally I don't use a cooling system flush as a routine item. If there's any sign of mineral build up or some other unwelcome guest then sure. FYI only use distilled water and if it's that low you may want to find out where it's gone before spending money on fancy coolant.

 

[TurboABA]

+1 on root cause investigation first..... low coolant might be the least of your problems.

 

[Mccallum42]

Personally I don't use a cooling system flush as a routine item. If there's any sign of mineral build up or some other unwelcome guest then sure. FYI only use distilled water and if it's that low you may want to find out where it's gone before spending money on fancy coolant.

There aren't any leaks that I can see, and no drips underneath. I have a feeling that it's been low for a long time.

 

[Mccallum42]

Also, I looked closer in the res, and I do see a bit of coolant, but it's still far under the min line

 

[jeffnhiscars]

Also, I looked closer in the res, and I do see a bit of coolant, but it's still far under the min line

Top it up w distilled water unless youre in a freeze zone In which case check your mix and possibly add 50/50. Point being to see how long it takes to drop. It could be nothing or as TurboABA says, could be an issue....such as an internal leak.

 

[Mccallum42]

Top it up w distilled water unless youre in a freeze zone In which case check your mix and possibly add 50/50. Point being to see how long it takes to drop. It could be nothing or as TurboABA says, could be an issue....such as an internal leak.

I'll try that.

 

[Mccallum42]

I went underneath and took off the shroud, and it's covered in oil. The oil pan is leaking and there's oil all around the trans pan. But I couldn't see any coolant.

 

[TurboABA]

I'd worry about the oil leak first and foremost.... like I was saying, you have bigger fish to fry at this stage.