Mk3 Gti 8v - Losing Water - Any idea's ??

[james_101]

Hi there, I wonder if anyone can shed some light on this. I have to fill up my water probably every 2-3 weeks as falls below the min level on my water expansion bottle and temp light flashes on dash, have visually checked rad and pipes and no obvious leaks so why do i have to fill up the water so much, head gasket problem maybe ??  Anyone had any similar issues, any thoughts welcome. Thanks James

[MK3GTI_16Valve]

check the seal on the cooloant cap, mine was leaking out through there.

[Wayne]

As above, replace the cap as a 1st step.

[VWstevo]

As above, replace the cap as a 1st step.

Hi Wayne

You could get a compression test done worth the money to get it done, or you mite end up spending hundreds of pounds on parts you don't need to change like i did lol. The compression test will tell you were the leak is, cud be a hose, head gasket, o-ring mite have gone down, check the oil make sure the oil is not creamy colour if so cud be the head gone there's so many different things mate. But deff start with the compression test cost about £10-£20 thats wot i paid dude i had my head gasket test too after i had a new one fitted due to loosing coolant and it pressuring up but  this was fine turned out to be a blocked hose.

[kr1s77]

Hi there, I wonder if anyone can shed some light on this. I have to fill up my water probably every 2-3 weeks as falls below the min level on my water expansion bottle and temp light flashes on dash, have visually checked rad and pipes and no obvious leaks so why do i have to fill up the water so much, head gasket problem maybe ??  Anyone had any similar issues, any thoughts welcome. Thanks James

i'm having the exact same problem, gonna try a new cap first aswell this week

[VWstevo]

Hi there, I wonder if anyone can shed some light on this. I have to fill up my water probably every 2-3 weeks as falls below the min level on my water expansion bottle and temp light flashes on dash, have visually checked rad and pipes and no obvious leaks so why do i have to fill up the water so much, head gasket problem maybe ??  Anyone had any similar issues, any thoughts welcome. Thanks James

i'm having the exact same problem, gonna try a new cap first aswell this week

New cap £4 GSF.

[kr1s77]

thanks stevo, £4 can't complain at that  might also treat it to a new coolant bottle aswel

[VWstevo]

thanks stevo, £4 can't complain at that  might also treat it to a new coolant bottle aswel

Yeh i did too, bottle i think £9 lol.

[veedubFanatic]

Hi there, I wonder if anyone can shed some light on this. I have to fill up my water probably every 2-3 weeks as falls below the min level on my water expansion bottle and temp light flashes on dash, have visually checked rad and pipes and no obvious leaks so why do i have to fill up the water so much, head gasket problem maybe ??  Anyone had any similar issues, any thoughts welcome. Thanks James

I wouldn't say it is not the head gasket. if coolant is free of oil and oil free of water, the head gasket is ok. it is rather a heater matrix in 90%.

[christomk3gti]

could be leaking at the water pump aswell.