Newbie in need of help please!

[lee gti 88]

Hi all, I purchased a 2007 (56) polo gti at weekend. Test drove it a couple of weeks ago and went to pick it up on sat once it had been prepped consisting of new brakes and disks and a heater matrix. When I took the car out for a final test drive the coolant low light was on and the level was about 1-1.5 inch below minimum indicator level. The car was inspected (quickly) by the mechanic and topped up. The next day the level was down again but no sings of leaks etc. topped up and the day after the level was down but when the expansion cap was opened it rose way over the max mark!

Over night the car leaked and formed a small puddle under the front right fog light area. I found this was a common fault and felt relieved that it could be covered by the warranty.

However since then it hasn’t leaked and the level just fluctuates between normal and about 10-15mm over maximum. No signs of leaks however there is a white residue on the oil cap

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated!!

Lee

[benmkiv]

White residue can be normal on the oil cap anyway don't be told otherwise. Keep an eye on it and just take it back if you have any more troubles

[lee gti 88]

thanks for the reply. have you any ideas on why the level is fluctuating? i thought when i saw the puddle it was the common radiator fault but it hasnt done it since. Could it be anything to do with the heater matrix or an air lock etc? the cars going into a honda garage where it was taken in part ex id like to know what the issue is as to help them in their investigations.

cheers

[lee gti 88]

Just to add the coolant coming through the top pipe into the expansion tank is clear but bubbly if that helps?

[benmkiv]

Will be bubbly anyway. Cuz it's hot? Could just of needed running.

[SerahGTI]

Hi. Ive got a 2006 (06) polo gti and when i brought my car i had the same fault with the coolant ... Mine ok now though. Could be something simple like air trapped in the system or could be something as in depth as a head gasket .. This may need further investigation by a mechanic.. Good luck

[Turbomier]

if it's youre head gasket it is easy to investigate.
take the out that long iron thing with the yellow ring on it,
wich u use to measure the oil level (don't know what it's called in english )
don't wipe it off, leave the oil on it and put a sigarettelighter on the oil.
if nothing happens, everything is ok.
if it starts to springkle and making noise, it's an indication that water is mixed with youre oil.
so could be that youre head gasket is blown.
but normally it doesn't fluctuate that much is it is blown..
the water just keeps lowering when this is the problem.
do a compression test, should clear out some stuff also.


about the white stuff in youre oil filler cap, could be that you don't do enough miles with it.
allways doing short distances whithout giving the engine and oil a change to heat up proper, could give this white stuff.
wipe it off, take it for a long spin, try not to do many short route's, and see what the result is.
a friend had this with his Mondeo Diesel, so could be you have the same problem?

[benmkiv]

The long iron thing in English is a dipstick and the white stuff is just a mineral build up from the minerals in the oil.

Also that is genius I would never have though to do that at all!!

[lee gti 88]

Found the problem, turned out to be the radiator. Leaking from the inside closest to the fans. Replaced under warranty
Thanks for every ones help and comments!

[benmkiv]

That's lucky then!

[lee gti 88]

Tell me about it I was a tad worried Can get on with playing with it now remap next and then some other mods