Golf R cooling conundrum
Discussion
Hello,
New Golf R arrived last week (17-Reg but pre-facelift). Pre-delivery all checked out. Happy days.
50 miles in, the red 'warning low coolant light comes on' just as I get home, so naturally I pop the bonnet for a look and the expansion tank is almost empty. I call VW Roadside Assistance who send the AA right away and he (and VW bod I spoke with on the phone at the same time) advise me to 'just top it up with tap water' (which AA man has in a grubby container in his van). 'No thanks', I reply, seeing as this is not advised in the manual (and I'm a stickler for such things) and it is after all a brand new car that I don't want to compromise, so I go (in another car) and get the correct G13 pre-mixed coolant myself and bring it back up with that to the correct level between the max/min lines on the expansion tank.
VW over the phone suggested that there may be 'some air trapped in the system, which can happen sometimes when new' causing the drop off in level..... This is not what I'd expect on a new car if they had filled it up at the factory with a pre-determined volume of fluid.
Over the last week or so, checking before/after journeys and topping up when necessary (with car cool/level, only), I've had to keep adding more and more coolant (every other day-ish) to keep things where they should be and the light has come on again a couple times in the worst cases. In all, I've added over two litres now. Car has done about 250 miles thus far. Not really what I'd expect to have to do on a new car...
Incidentally, there are no obvious signs of leaks (difficult to check everywhere though), no puddle under the car, not overheating (temp always sits firm in the middle of the gauge), just a continued drop in coolant level. AA man did do a quick pressure check when the problem first happened but didn't seem to know what he was doing with his kit and only left it on there for about 30 seconds.
So, it is booked in to VW dealership on Wednesday 12/4/17 at my request to have a thorough check (the soonest they could fit me in) and I'll probably have added more G13 by then.
Any thoughts on this or anyone had a similar problem??
Thanks
New Golf R arrived last week (17-Reg but pre-facelift). Pre-delivery all checked out. Happy days.
50 miles in, the red 'warning low coolant light comes on' just as I get home, so naturally I pop the bonnet for a look and the expansion tank is almost empty. I call VW Roadside Assistance who send the AA right away and he (and VW bod I spoke with on the phone at the same time) advise me to 'just top it up with tap water' (which AA man has in a grubby container in his van). 'No thanks', I reply, seeing as this is not advised in the manual (and I'm a stickler for such things) and it is after all a brand new car that I don't want to compromise, so I go (in another car) and get the correct G13 pre-mixed coolant myself and bring it back up with that to the correct level between the max/min lines on the expansion tank.
VW over the phone suggested that there may be 'some air trapped in the system, which can happen sometimes when new' causing the drop off in level..... This is not what I'd expect on a new car if they had filled it up at the factory with a pre-determined volume of fluid.
Over the last week or so, checking before/after journeys and topping up when necessary (with car cool/level, only), I've had to keep adding more and more coolant (every other day-ish) to keep things where they should be and the light has come on again a couple times in the worst cases. In all, I've added over two litres now. Car has done about 250 miles thus far. Not really what I'd expect to have to do on a new car...
Incidentally, there are no obvious signs of leaks (difficult to check everywhere though), no puddle under the car, not overheating (temp always sits firm in the middle of the gauge), just a continued drop in coolant level. AA man did do a quick pressure check when the problem first happened but didn't seem to know what he was doing with his kit and only left it on there for about 30 seconds.
So, it is booked in to VW dealership on Wednesday 12/4/17 at my request to have a thorough check (the soonest they could fit me in) and I'll probably have added more G13 by then.
Any thoughts on this or anyone had a similar problem??
Thanks
Edited by Jas_404 on Sunday 9th April 23:02
Ive seen comments in the past that the EA888 engine is very prone to trapped air in the system just something to keep an eye on, also the coolant isnt premixed (if from VW) if you check the back it gives you the dillution ratios.
Looking for leaks the pump is at the front of the engine on the left looking towards the engine from the front (unless its moved) you probably won't notice a puddle under the car as the undertrays catch it.
Looking for leaks the pump is at the front of the engine on the left looking towards the engine from the front (unless its moved) you probably won't notice a puddle under the car as the undertrays catch it.
Edited by 220 on Sunday 9th April 23:06
I've got the same engine (220hp version) i have noticed mine settles in the middle of the min and max mark and has been like that for at least 7k miles (since last service) so dont get too hung up if it drops a bit at first as long as it doesn't go below the minimum. oh and congrats on the new car 
Edited by 220 on Sunday 9th April 23:18
Although yours is certainly a leak (or AC condenser?), a lot of VW engines are not filled and bled properly at the factory, and over a period self bleeds and then leaves insufficient coolant in the system.
If it does turn out to not be a leak, have them check the tech bulletins as there was one issued for this problem, and the system has to be properly cycled through a process via the diagnostics.
If it does turn out to not be a leak, have them check the tech bulletins as there was one issued for this problem, and the system has to be properly cycled through a process via the diagnostics.
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