Water Leak within 600 miles!

[Wayne.R]

Hey,

So my 1st experience into Mk7 ownership, has just taken a dip.
Got home from work this morning, and noticed steam coming from the engine bay.

Opened the bonnet, and could smell the sweet aroma of coolant. Coupled with a wetness on the splash guard under the thermostat.

Header tank seemed ok, with no loss of coolant visible.

Now need to get it looked at, after telling my dealer about the issue.

I have the standard 3 month used car warranty, so who knows what that covers.

Yes, it's a known weak point with the engine, but I've only done 600 miles in it... Lol.

[Watts]

That's a shame, most be very annoying. But, better it happened straight away and be covered than it going a few days past the 3 month warranty. That's the thing with a used car, they can and will go wrong.

Hope you get it sorted to your satisfaction so you can get on and enjoy it

[Finglonga]

If the warranty does not cover it do not use the Dealer to get it repaired use a decent independent and you will save a fortune.

[P6GTD]

All the circumstances described would make me suspicious that the previous owner might have suspected leak and moved the car on.
My son’s elderly Audi A3 bought from Arnold Clark had a badly corroded radiator which the previous owner had patched up. Within a couple of weeks it was leaking. Arnold Clark used car guarantee immediately and without quibble, priority ordered and fitted a new radiator. Must have cost them several hundred pounds.
The lesson? Absolutely, your used car warranty should cover this as indeed your rights as a purchaser should, with or without a warranty.
Do not stand for any attempts to fob you off.

[Wayne.R]

So my dealer has insisted on getting the car looked at, at an Halfords Auto centre of all places.

Reluctantly, I've done this for Monday morning, purely to ascertain a quote for work.

I've gone to my 2 VW independents, who have separately quoted £870-£874 for the swap out.

I can do it myself, within a day, because unless it's at a specialist, I wouldn't trust a 'normal' garage to do the job correctly.
I have full VCDS so can prep the pump once changed, if have to do it myself, because Halfords are not getting my car to work on.

In the meantime, I have no car I can safely use!

@P6GTD you may well be right. Any time you purchase a used car, I always wonder why it's been moved on.

[Finglonga]

You can safely use it, I was topping mine up every month for months before I had it done. They do not just let go. Unless you have a serious leak and filling the header often use it as normal and keep an eye on it.

[2007GTI]

Can I ask, as you haven’t said, what have they quotes to replace?

So my dealer has insisted on getting the car looked at, at an Halfords Auto centre of all places.

Reluctantly, I've done this for Monday morning, purely to ascertain a quote for work.

I've gone to my 2 VW independents, who have separately quoted £870-£874 for the swap out.

I can do it myself, within a day, because unless it's at a specialist, I wouldn't trust a 'normal' garage to do the job correctly.
I have full VCDS so can prep the pump once changed, if have to do it myself, because Halfords are not getting my car to work on.

In the meantime, I have no car I can safely use!

@P6GTD you may well be right. Any time you purchase a used car, I always wonder why it's been moved on.

[Wayne.R]

Sorry, for the late reply...

The quotes are for replacement water pump, thermostat, belt, and water grommet, inclusive of VAT and Labour.

So update...

Car went into Halfords on Monday morning. They had it all day. Picked it up at 530pm and the 'technician' said...."Nothing wrong with it fella, ran it up, everything is dry, but your car drives really well"

Got it back, vehicle is in Sport, so know how it's been driven.

Found this odd, so the next day, i put it up on my ramps, and took the undertray off. Instantly covered in the coolant, they said wasn't there. Sump is wet, hoses are wet, and bolts around the sump, have pink crust.

Hmm...Dunno what car Halfords looked at then.

Dried it off, ran it up to try & replicate the leak, and nothing could be found or seen.

Took it to work, and water is back on the undertray.

So, it's going to Power Developments in Essex next week, to be investigated, and I'll sort it myself, once I have the download on what the fault is.









Thanks Finglonga...I'll be doing exactly that. Only losing maybe 10mm of water at a time. Hoping it's a tiny pipe weep. But will probably do the full swap out, for preventative maintenance anyway.

[2007GTI]

I wouldn’t trust Halfords with changing a push bike tyre, let alone my Golf.

Good call to go to a specialist.

[Wayne.R]

I wouldn’t trust Halfords with changing a push bike tyre, let alone my Golf.

Good call to go to a specialist.

Wasn't my decision mate. My dealer insisted on me taking it there. Warranty claim thing.

Like you, I wouldn't trust them to change an air freshener.

I've always used specialists near me. These VAG cars will bite you hard, if not maintained

Dealer has believed Halfords, and has refused to let me obtain a 2nd opinion.....Ya know what, f@@k it, it's easier for me to fix it myself.