Low coolant

[vw spur]

I bought my GTD brand new in April 2016, I've checked fluid levels fortnightly ever since I've had it and all has been fine since I have had it, this morning I came out to go to work and as soon as I started the car the low coolant warning appeared, I checked the level straight away and it was below the minimum, would the recent cold snap have had anything to do with this or have I got a leak or something more serious to deal with??

The engine has never over heated or anything and the gauge always sits in the middle when up to temp so I'm a bit concerned as to why a new car with 8000 miles on the clock should be losing coolant.

[Dully]

Get it in for a check over, my MK5 GTD 170 destroyed a water pump seal with less miles on it than that, luckily I spotted a pool of coolant on the garage floor.

[ashleyman]

My R did exactly the same thing at about the same age as your GTD.

I took it to the dealer and by the time I got there the fault code had re-set itself and the level was very low. I didn't have any proof of anything that the car warned of and once the car had been re-started it was low but acceptable so they sent me on my way...

It did it a few nights later and I had to top it up. Since then it's been fine (thankfully) and hasn't shown any more faults, errors or required topping up.

[Watts]

Level down = leak. Get it to your dealer asap. No point taking chances and don't top it up either - that's your evidence so they can't ignore it!

[Finglonga]

There have been a few with thermostat housings that have needed replacing including myself. Don't leave it below minimum, top it up and have a word with the dealer. There will be tell tail stains on the engine where the leak is.

[fredgroves]

You say its a leak, but mine did it once, I topped it up and since then its never come back.

I was expecting to find it used it regularly, but coming up to three years, its only happened once.

[TwoSheds]

You say its a leak, but mine did it once, I topped it up and since then its never come back.

I was expecting to find it used it regularly, but coming up to three years, its only happened once.

Same experience as you..

[Watts]

You say its aleak, but mine did it once, I topped it up and since then its never come back.

I was expecting to find it used it regularly, but coming up to three years, its only happened once.

It's a sealed system, if the level drops then it's gone somewhere. The level should not drop.

[vw spur]

Thanks everyone, I've just been onto the local dealer and I've booked it in for Tuesday for them to have a look at it, they aren't the supplying dealer as I don't fancy a 50 mile trip to where I bought it.

The service guy said something about some GTD's coming from factory have had an air lock problem which has caused a similar problem with the coolant, how true that is im not too sure.

I'm going to leave the coolant level as it is as I can just use the Mrs' car on Monday and the dealer is only 5 mins from the house.

Will report back with the outcome

[fredgroves]

You say its aleak, but mine did it once, I topped it up and since then its never come back.

I was expecting to find it used it regularly, but coming up to three years, its only happened once.

It's a sealed system, if the level drops then it's gone somewhere. The level should not drop.

I agree, but wherever it went, it never went there again.... a bit like me and Magaluf.