Engine Coolant

[RedHP]

Boys & Girls, I had check all water and oil levels just before the white stuff decided to fall (approx 2 weeks ago) and all was well.
Engine water level was per the last service (10k miles ago) two thirds the way up between min and max.
However, this morning she beeped at me stating that I should check coolant levels and then the temp light started flashing. I have a journey of more than 30 miles to work so thought I'd stop off at a filling station and found that the engine water level was dangerously below the min marker, so topped upto max.
This level should hardly move, esp not in these dramatic circumstances in such a short time, so thought I had a leak. Got back home and checked again and level is exactly the same as after I had topped up.
Will have to keep my eye on this but any suggestions?

Red

[ScottA]

Boys & Girls, I had check all water and oil levels just before the white stuff decided to fall (approx 2 weeks ago) and all was well.
Engine water level was per the last service (10k miles ago) two thirds the way up between min and max.
However, this morning she beeped at me stating that I should check coolant levels and then the temp light started flashing. I have a journey of more than 30 miles to work so thought I'd stop off at a filling station and found that the engine water level was dangerously below the min marker, so topped upto max.
This level should hardly move, esp not in these dramatic circumstances in such a short time, so thought I had a leak. Got back home and checked again and level is exactly the same as after I had topped up.
Will have to keep my eye on this but any suggestions?

Red

As far as I am aware the coolant is in a sealed system and shouldn't need topping up - that said, they do need topping up sometimes - I've had to top mine up before on the A3. If the coolant gets hot enough, it can boil over and it will leak out. Did you top it up with just water? If it was really low, I would advise adding antifreeze asap.

[jdjd]

Quite possible it could be leaking into the cylinder head.  I remember having that happen awhile back on my mkv gti ended up causing some sort of damage to cylinder head. Was done under warrenty i recall

 EDIT:
 
Infact it caused "Pitting" I think that was the word they used: try this thread. Ide get it looked at

Here's some help
http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed/Campingart/jettatech/coolingmaint/index.htm

[RedHP]

Thanks guys, got some antifreeze in it too

Red

[ScottA]

Quite possible it could be leaking into the cylinder head.  I remember having that happen awhile back on my mkv gti ended up causing some sort of damage to cylinder head. Was done under warrenty i recall

 EDIT:
 
Infact it caused "Pitting" I think that was the word they used: try this thread. Ide get it looked at

Here's some help
http://faculty.ccp.edu/faculty/dreed/Campingart/jettatech/coolingmaint/index.htm

I think you might see some oil in the coolant system if that was the case and I doubt you would lose so much in such a short space of time - but I could be wrong.

[pumaboat]

I had a similar issue where water coolant disappearing from the system. No mayo in the oil etc although engine bay has that burnt "curry" antifreeze smell to it. On the advice of VW I topped up and monitored for next 500miles, it used 200ml.

There is a known issue of the waterpump\seal, had it replaced under warranty (59plate Sep 2009 car, issue occured in November 2011) and no prob since. IIRC the waterpump design is different on later cars.

[RedHP]

The dealers have said that the coolant housing is leaking but the part may take 2 weeks to arrive, maybe more   
I drive 65 miles a day, so am not best pleased with the wait

My GiT also had its 3rd service in one and a half years and they forgot to reconnect the wiring for the headlamp washers (I'm guessing whilst they were investigating the coolant leak which leads me to be more      !!!

Red