[itmike78]

Hey everyone,

So I recently purchased a 2015 Touareg TDI and have noticed that it's losing coolant. Every few days I'm having to add coolant but not a whole lot. It gets just below the minimum line and so I add more. I've added 3-4 times now since purchasing 3 weeks ago. The temp while driving never gets above 200-205 even during long trips so no overheating issues yet.

Where could this slow leak be coming from? EGR? Oil cooler? Water pump (I would assume I'd lose more if it was the water pump). Also would these issues be covered by the extended emissions fix warranty? Just wondering whether I should bring it to a VW dealer or to a good locally known VW mechanic.

Is there something I could look for myself? Are any of these issues easy enough fixes or just best to take it to a dealer?

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

Temp gauge is useless. Do you have VCDS to monitor different temp sensors?
The leak could be anywhere..... more than likely EGR\oil cooler in valley..... it will be covered by dieselgate.
You need a proper VCDS scan as you might have soft or pending codes... just nothing sufficient to throw a CEL.
The dealer may make you pay diagnostic fee without a CEL....

 

[TDI FAN BOY]

savagesoot is right. its the oil cooler. I've had mine replaced twice now. first time the dealer did it and it failed 1,000 miles past the warranty. second time went to the indy shop so far so good.

 

[itmike78]

I have a VCDS scan cable coming so hopefully it will show something but maybe not. At this point I might just make an appointment with the local VW dealership. I don't typically like dealing with dealerships unless covered under warranty so hopefully it's something that is covered which I would imagine it would be. I still have the extended emissions warranty for another 13k miles.

I could do it myself as I've done similar work on my 2006 F350 6.0 Powerstroke but I'd rather not! LOL

 

[volkswagens-for-life]

Dealership for warranty repair. Also hope you're using proper g12 or the dealer gonna laugh you right back out.

 

[Bracus]

Can I figure out if the Oil cooler is leaking with VCDS? Would the exact temp gauge be a little higher or something that I would be able to diagnose? Or anything visually to look at around the engine?

 

[volkswagens-for-life]

Doubt any variables in vagcom would be of help. Look for obvious leaks at this point

 

[itmike78]

Dealership for warranty repair. Also hope you're using proper g12 or the dealer gonna laugh you right back out.

Or G13 Violet colored coolant? Mine looks like a purple color

 

[volkswagens-for-life]

Or G13 Violet colored coolant? Mine looks like a purple color

Yep could definitely be g13

 

[Flerky]

I noticed new oil cooler from Nissens. I am considering oil cooler change, but I cannot decide which part.
There are two possibilities: Nissens 91100 or Nissens 90807. Part 91100 is with aluminum plate, seals and package is also cheaper than 90807 (only cooler).

So what is the catch?

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

Can I figure out if the Oil cooler is leaking with VCDS? Would the exact temp gauge be a little higher or something that I would be able to diagnose? Or anything visually to look at around the engine?

No, VCDS won't tell you that you have a leak there.
Yes, look for oil and\or coolant in the valley, under all the crap that's there.... use a borescope.
Are you seeing coolant\oil loss? Or why are you suspecting you have a leak?

 

[lmbk88]

Check out this thread: 2013 3.0 TDI - Probable EGR Valve coolant leak

Many have gotten it covered under the extended warranty. I'd take it to the dealer first (after reading that thread) and let them deal with it. It will not likely show any pressure loss with a coolant pressure test so they may be a little stumped. There may be evidence of coolant around the water pump but that is probably coolant dripping from the valley above. I was past warranty so I decided to do the work myself. It is not a very fun job. It took me 4 solid days. It is most likely the vacuum solenoid for the coolant line buried deep under there plus some gaskets under the oil cooler.

 

[itmike78]

So I took it to my local VW dealer and they just called me to say "it's definitely the oil cooler leaking". Pretty annoyed considering the small dealer I bought it from said they replaced the oil cooler due to a leak. So that leaves me wondering...did they really replace it and if so did they just do a bad job or use a crap part.

The VW dealer is quoting $2200 to repair. Not sure where to go from here. Back to where I bought it to see if they'll fix this or to a local mechanic to avoid the dealership. Or do it myself if I can source the correct parts.

 

[volkswagens-for-life]

Powertrain expired?

Lol I wouldn't trust any small dealers with these

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

What are you talking about? I told you in #2 it's covered under dieselgate. Did you not have the fix applied?
If the first dealer said "they did whatever fix", did you not ask for receipts, proof, whatever... were you like "ok thanks".

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

OP, you were at 106k a few months ago... you should still be under BOTH warranties! Dieselgate only since powertrain is only 100k

 

[itmike78]

What are you talking about? I told you in #2 it's covered under dieselgate. Did you not have the fix applied?
If the first dealer said "they did whatever fix", did you not ask for receipts, proof, whatever... were you like "ok thanks".

This VW dealer told me the oil cooler is not covered under the extended emissions warranty. Is that not true?

Right now I'm just under 108K so obviously still under dieselgate warranty

 

[itmike78]

Powertrain expired?

Lol I wouldn't trust any small dealers with these

Yeah I'm at 108K

So if the oil cooler is not covered under dieselgate warranty then it's either pay the VW dealer $2200, do it myself, or take it back to the small dealer that said they replaced it with VW part and have them fix their work.

If I would do the work myself what part(s) would I need to purchase. I've done an oil cooler job on a 2006 F350 and that was a PIA but doable.

 

[volkswagens-for-life]

This VW dealer told me the oil cooler is not covered under the extended emissions warranty. Is that not true?

Right now I'm just under 108K so obviously still under dieselgate warranty

Not true at all, find a better dealer

 

[SaVAGeSoot]

So no evidence of said repair?
Read your warranty and decide if you want to argue to fix on your dime.