VW Polo 6R - Coolant Question

[dennismo]

Hi all. As well as my VW T6, also have a 2011 VW Polo TDI which I've kept as a useful little run around. Recently, I had a coolant warning flash up. As there isn't a temperature gauge on the Polo 6R, and I have AA breakdown with my bank account, I decided to call the AA out to look over it. The level was below minimum (but only just) and they couldn't find any leaks, but just topped up the coolant with water (!) and it's ended up above maximum. They said it wouldn't be an issue...

Roll forward a week and it's gone in for a minor service today to a well respected garage in Sheffield that looks after VWs (not main dealer). I told them about the above. They looked at it and also couldn't find any leaks, but they said that the coolant system is a "sealed system" and if the level of coolant had dropped below minimum, it was likely a failing water pump, and that I should have timing belt and water pump done. (It was last done only 11500 miles ago, so I'm somewhat reluctant to spend another £500!!)

2 questions really:
1. Is what they're saying true - i.e. if the coolant has dropped, there must be a leak and I should have the water pump replaced (again) to stop "catastrophic failure"

2. They haven't drained any of the water out of the coolant system (as I say - it's above maximum due to the AA guy) but said they would just do it as / when I have the water pump replaced. Is it a problem to run the car with the coolant an inch or so above maximum, and also with "just water" added (no idea if it was even distilled or not, but I would hope AA would use the right stuff... and it definitely wasn't coolant / G12++ - again the AA guy didn't seem concerned).


Any thoughts / wisdom on ANY of this much appreciated. Particularly if there are any trade people on here who can give me a steer on what the right thing to do is?

Thanks so much in advance,
Matt

 

[dennismo]

Any thoughts at all on this? @BognorMotors if I was closer to you I'd 100% bring it to you for an opinion... not sure if you can offer any opinion on here?

(One further bit of info is I used a syringe to reduce the coolant back down to Maximum... so at least that's dealt with...)

 

[BognorMotors]

Hello


If there is no signs of a leak externally then I would keep an eye on it. It could be a number of things that have caused it or be nothing at all. Are you able to monitor under the vehicle where it’s parked for any drips/stains? As it could leak when cooling down or heating up and not under pressure. Worst case it could be internal leak - head gasket. But odd why it hasn’t dropped anymore.

I wouldn’t jump into anything until you are 100% sure, as it’s so minimal at the minute.

 

[dennismo]

Legend! Thanks so much! I felt VERY uneasy about throwing a load of money at replacing the water pump and timing belt, given that I last did that less than 15k miles ago! The person at this VW Indie was very clear to me that it's a "sealed system" so the water pump is the only likely point of failure given no visible leaks. But I feel really reassured based on what you've said Oli - thanks so much!! I'll keep an eye on it for sure, and also look for signs of a leak post parking!

 

[Bigsidavies]

For monitoring leaks underneath it's useful to put a clean piece of cardboard or hardboard underneath as soon as you park up. It's much easier to spot any oil/coolant than looking at the road/drive and trying to decide if anything has leaked. Especially in this weather.