Author Topic: Losing coolant - from lid?  (Read 1730 times)

Offline JMallows

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Losing coolant - from lid?
« on: 24 May 2011, 21:28 »
Have done a search because i seem to remember reading about the black lids not being very good and to replace them with blue ones, but cant seem to find any useful threads!

Anyway, i am losing coolant slowly, and having replaced the clips and some hoses where it was leaking, think there is some coming from the lid. I can hear it venting after i switch off the engine, and the bonnet has been wet where steam has sprayed out from the lid. Question is, is this requiring a new lid, and if so, is it a VW stealership only part, or will a G&S or ECP part be just as good?

If it is only VW, has anyone got a part no. and price, as the joker in the parts dept here is absolutely useless at finding stuff...?

Also, the heating just isnt getting hot at all, after losing a lot of water (expansion tank empty) it has never been right. I have run the car up to temp with lid off, bottom hose cold, then hot, water level going up in expansion tank etc, just not hot! The fan didnt seem to kick in either, even when i fast idled it (3k revs) for a few minutes. Is this the thermostat? I thought that if the bottom hose became hot, then it suggested the thermostat was working?!

Thanks :)


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Offline russ-vdub

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Re: Losing coolant - from lid?
« Reply #1 on: 24 May 2011, 23:14 »
To be fair the search on here is pretty rubbish. but there is deffo threads all about this, someone will find them for ya cos i cant seem to find them myself lol!

Offline bodga

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Re: Losing coolant - from lid?
« Reply #2 on: 25 May 2011, 10:56 »
I love a challenge, :grin: heres the link, its in this thread:


http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=124923.0

Offline dragonfly

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Re: Losing coolant - from lid?
« Reply #3 on: 26 May 2011, 09:16 »
I got a blue top from Big Boys Toys.  As the fan is not coming on bridge the connector and see if that starts the fan.  If it does then the switch needs replacing.  If the bottom hose gets hot then the thermostat is fine. Remember to use G12++ coolant and flush the system as the same time.

Offline JMallows

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Re: Losing coolant - from lid?
« Reply #4 on: 26 May 2011, 16:37 »
Thanks for info, have read that post, but didnt say very much about the lids and best places to get them! I am going to go out shortly and bridge the pins to see if the fan spins. Doesnt help much but the temperature gauge hasnt worked in about 13 years... though the fan has been working, just hasnt come on for a while

Thanks


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Offline mk2bal

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Re: Losing coolant - from lid?
« Reply #5 on: 26 May 2011, 17:16 »
Short the coolant temp sensor out if its 2pin (8v), or short the wire to earth if its 1 pin (16v). Your temp gauge should shoot up, if it does its just your temp sensor at fault, if it doesn't,its either your temp gauge (clocks) or wiring to the clocks...

Offline JMallows

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Re: Losing coolant - from lid?
« Reply #6 on: 30 May 2011, 21:25 »
Ok, small update:

Bridged fan sensor pins, and the fan spins. Bottom hose gets hot after about five mins or so, so dont think its the thermostat. Also bridged the pins on the temp sensor and the guage went up to the max, so guess its the sensor...

Anyway, still not sure if i actually NEED a new lid or not?!


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Offline mk2bal

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Re: Losing coolant - from lid?
« Reply #7 on: 30 May 2011, 23:02 »
For the sake of £2.60 or something, get onto vwspares and order a new one. I can vouch for them

Offline richking

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Re: Losing coolant - from lid?
« Reply #8 on: 30 May 2011, 23:15 »
What are lids? i too have a coolant leak on an 8v engine

Offline Sam

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Re: Losing coolant - from lid?
« Reply #9 on: 31 May 2011, 12:23 »
What are lids? i too have a coolant leak on an 8v engine

Technically caps, haha but they are just the cap that screws onto your coolant bottle. Some are blue and vented and some arent. Ideally you want a blue vented one like below





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