MK 4 golf - Coolant leak and heater not working well

[Twentyfour7]

Hello

Please can you help?

I have a MK 4 1998 Golf. It's been leaking coolant the last year. I've just been topping it up but I also noticed it takes ages to heat the inside of the car. Is it related?

The car hasn't been driven for a while - about 7 weeks, but drove it last week. Seems to be leaking coolant more rapidly , no idea why, why would the speed of a leak change? ....

Just wondering about how to go about getting it fixed and what is most likely to be the problem.
Any thoughts please?

24/7

[LimSlip]

The Mk4 Golf was fitted with numerous different engines, which one does yours have?

[Twentyfour7]

Hello Limslip

Not sure exactly but I have this for the engine code: WUWZZZ1JZXP118293 - second letter may be a V

it's a 1.6 auto, petrol

[Twentyfour7]

Anyone able to advise please?

[Caddyshack]

Is there any evidence of a water leak coming out? It could be a head gasket issue so get the water tested and check the oil filler for signs of cottage cheese looking stuff.

If you use the correct coolant it will leak red around a leak and swell up with a white crust which actually cures little leaks.

If none of the above either get it to a vag mechanic or start replacing parts.

Change the thermostat as that may show you why not heating properly. You may have a leaky heater matrix (are the carpets wet or does it steam up) or blocked heater matrix.

[DuraAce]

Twentyfour7 said:

Just wondering about how to go about getting it fixed and what is most likely to be the problem.
Any thoughts please?

24/7

I would hope this is obvious but it could be any part of the cooling system!
Water pump, radiator, reservoir, heater matrix, pipes could be leaking.
Lack of heater could be blocked matrix, failed water pump, lack of coolant, blocked heater valve etc etc.

Not really diagnosable on line.

Are you fixing it yourself?

[Caddyshack]

DuraAce said:

Twentyfour7 said:

Just wondering about how to go about getting it fixed and what is most likely to be the problem.
Any thoughts please?

24/7

I would hope this is obvious but it could be any part of the cooling system!
Water pump, radiator, reservoir, heater matrix, pipes could be leaking.
Lack of heater could be blocked matrix, failed water pump, lack of coolant, blocked heater valve etc etc.

Not really diagnosable on line.

Are you fixing it yourself?

Good point about the water pump

[Twentyfour7]

thank you

No won't be doing it myself

For months I've had problem with driver and rear passenger driver side footwells getting saturated with water - but think may have fixed problem by clearing holes in bottom of doors. Touch wood. However it continues to be saturated with condensation inside in morning especially

I have to top it up with the coolant , I know it was dripping for several months as when it was put on ramp at halfords they showed me where drops of coolant could be seen under the car. you could see because of the colour

so it sounds like i have two problems - ? leaking coolant and dodgy heater?

[DuraAce]

If you won't fix it yourself (or aren't capable), then why haven't you just taken it to a garage?

You cannot diagnose this 100% accurately online.

[Twentyfour7]

I appreciate I can't fully diagnose it online. I find it helpful sometimes talking to Pistonheads to get some guidance,to determine what it might be incase I can fix it

This unlike the wet footwell problem which I fixed appears to be much bigger issue which of course if I cannot resolve I will take to the garage

Just chatting