Problem with cooling liquid

[bmassaer]

We are camping in West Ireland (near Bantry) with our T5 Cali built 2007. Today we weer driving, took a pause and after restarting there was a "stop" alarm in the dashboard with some warning about the cooling liquid. I stopped after some 100 meters, a burning smell came out the engine. The level of the cooling liquid was lower than "minn" - very low in fact. I saw no fluid leaking. When unscrewing the dop of the cooling liquid reservoir, I heard a sissing noice and the level of the liquid normalised again to above the "min" sign. When turning the key there was no more warning but of course I did not start the engine anymore.

We are on a nice camping fortunately, so I will call for help only on monday. But maybe someone is able to give me an idea of what is the problem and how long the repair might take? And what would be the cost?

We plan to stay in Ireland for two more weeks and we want to drive some mountainous roads...

Thank you so much!

Bart

 

[WelshGas]

We are camping in West Ireland (near Bantry) with our T5 Cali built 2007. Today we weer driving, took a pause and after restarting there was a "stop" alarm in the dashboard with some warning about the cooling liquid. I stopped after some 100 meters, a burning smell came out the engine. The level of the cooling liquid was lower than "minn" - very low in fact. I saw no fluid leaking. When unscrewing the dop of the cooling liquid reservoir, I heard a sissing noice and the level of the liquid normalised again to above the "min" sign. When turning the key there was no more warning but of course I did not start the engine anymore.

We are on a nice camping fortunately, so I will call for help only on monday. But maybe someone is able to give me an idea of what is the problem and how long the repair might take? And what would be the cost?

We plan to stay in Ireland for two more weeks and we want to drive some mountainous roads...

Thank you so much!

Bart

There is a fluid level sensor in the expansion tank. That is why you had the alarm.
What is more worrying is why the coolant system got so pressurised?.
The simplest cause is a failure of the pressure relief cap on the coolant expansion tank. Cheap to replace.
The expensive cause is a failed head gasket.

Replace the pressure cap first and keep a close eye on the coolant levels. Any VW garage or motor parts shop should have the cap.

 

[bmassaer]

Thank you for your reply. But the engine smelled badly - I guess it would be better to have this checked? Can it also be a default of the pump of the cooling System? I am a bit afraid to drive now; small Irish roads, left hand drive...

 

[jts46]

Is your oil level ok?
Not sure if this has anything to do with the problem!

 

[bmassaer]

The oil level is ok (though it's Just a small bit above the minus). Maybe when the alarm showed, I was anxious and drove a bit with slipping clutch...? So do you think that, if there's no more alarm after changing the pressure cap, it should be ok? Should I have this checked by a mechanic anyway, in order not to ruin the engine? Is it ok if I fill up the cooling liquid a bit with any kind of cooling liquid?

Thank!!

 

[WelshGas]

Thank you for your reply. But the engine smelled badly - I guess it would be better to have this checked? Can it also be a default of the pump of the cooling System? I am a bit afraid to drive now; small Irish roads, left hand drive...

Could be. What was the coolant temperature on the Dashboard temperature gauge?
If you have breakdown insurance then probably a call to them could help pinpoint the problem.

 

[jts46]

The oil level is ok (though it's Just a small bit above the minus). Maybe when the alarm showed, I was anxious and drove a bit with slipping clutch...? So do you think that, if there's no more alarm after changing the pressure cap, it should be ok? Should I have this checked by a mechanic anyway, in order not to ruin the engine? Is it ok if I fill up the cooling liquid a bit with any kind of cooling liquid?

Thank!!

I would top it up with water, but make sure engine is not hot as water can be scalding if you take off the coolant cap when HOT

 

[bmassaer]

Don't know about the cooling temperature... I'll call breakdown insurance tomorrow! Thank you so much...

 

[WelshGas]

Don't know about the cooling temperature... I'll call breakdown insurance tomorrow! Thank you so much...

Hope you are soon sorted. Best to use them, you paid for cover.

 

[bmassaer]

So now I have some more questions... Would the mechanic on the road be able to make the difference between a (maybe temporal?) blocked cap and a more serieus problem? Or will he tow me to a garage for a definitive diagnosis? I also suppose the mechanic on the road won't have this cap with him?

As we only drove for about ten kilometers, stopped for more than 45 minuten and then the alarm showed immediately after starting the engine, I am quite sure the engine was not over-heated. It did not feel Hot and I guess, having looked at the dashboard, I would have noticed if the gauche was reading high...

If this happens again, I suppose first the cooling liquid goes down, the alarm shows and then the engine gets hot. So if I release the pressure in time, everything might run ok? Just asking to be prepare...

Thank you!

 

[snowy55]

The cooling system is pressurised when at any temperature other then stone cold, so to hear a hissing noise when removing the water filler cap is not necessarily a sign of a problem.

When was the last time you checked the water level?

Perhaps it just needed topping up.

Hope the recovery man can be helpful.

 

[Teejay]

Could this be the same problem that this girl had? I'm no mechanic and remembered this.

https://m.youtube.com/watchv=b2XfE745mg0#

 

[bmassaer]

I must admit that the cooling water was at the minimum level when we left Belgium a week ago. The level is still the Same...

 

[bmassaer]

This link does not work?

 

[Teejay]

This link does not work?

 

[Teejay]

Not that one damn, this one.

 

[briwy]

I'd let it cool right down and then top up to the max level. Run the engine on tickover until it's up to temperature and see what happens.
First check and see if there's any white goo on the dipstick and under the oil filler cap. If there is it's a sign of water in the oil. Possible head gasket problem.

 

[bmassaer]

OK... still having this problem. The cap was replaced while on journey. We drove home, more than 1000 kilometers - checking regularly but everything was ok. Then, after a drive of some 150 kilometers, the level of the cooling liquid again was very low and the container was under pressure.

The local mechanic checked all the pipes etc - no leaks. But it happened again: after a drive, the pressure in the container builds up. Releiving the cap seems to fix the problem, although after a while the level of the cooling liquid drops a bit. The mechanic checked again, no leaks, nothing. Now he claims that it might be a small tear in the cylinder-head. Reparation will cost a lot of money.
What do you think about this? Is this a possible cause??

 

[Rich20]

I would suggest getting to a VW garage for a proper assessment. You could end up causing a lot of damage to the engine if it overheats. It may be a number of things but from what you are saying, the coolant is disappearing somewhere causing an alarm and excessive pressure. VW will be able to pressure test the system for you.

 

[calikev]

Sounds like the head gasket to me what can happen is the cooling system is pressurised by cylinder gases you can get a garage to do a sniff test

 

[calikev]

Sounds like the head gasket to me what can happen is the cooling system is pressurised by cylinder gases you can get a garage to do a sniff test

These are the same symptoms I was having itch mine I am having a new cylinder head because of corrosion

 

[bmassaer]

What is a sniff test? A mechanic (who is a T3 addict and someone I trust) checked the pressure in the system. It was 2.2 bar - he said "1 bar too much". He is sure it's the cilinder leaking, so he suggests to open it and fix it... Shoud I do more testing before I agree?

 

[briwy]

Did you check to see if there;s any water in the oil?
If there is then it needs sorting ASAP or it will do serious damage.

 

[bmassaer]

There isn't... At least, there's no "mayonaise"...

 

[bmassaer]

There isn't... At least, there's no "mayonaise"...

And in fact, the "leak" is very minimal - the most important problem seems to be the pressure building up...