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Where is my coolant leaking from?

1.3K views 9 replies 5 participants last post by  tonpassat  
#1 ·
I have a 2001 Passat 1.8T Automatic. I have to add about a quart of coolant every week to 10 days. I see fluid on garage floor but can't tell where it is coming from. I have replaced the cap and the timing belt and water pump was done a few months ago. Any help out there?
 
#2 ·
There are in fact more than a few places to leak coolant; you're not giving us much guidance here. G12 coolant leaves a crusty white deposit when it leaks out and dries; I'd take the belly pan off, climb under with a strong light, and search for those deposits.

Pro tip: Popular spots for mystery leaks are cracks in the underside of the overflow tank, and leaks in the plastic cooling flange at the back of the engine. Start with those.

Also, any freshly-replaced part is always suspect. Check around the water pump.
 
#3 ·
A lot of times coolant leaks when pressurized only, so harder to spot if the engine is not running, or even idling. As Scott said, a crusty residue helps locate any leaks. If I'm having a hard time finding a leak, I use a bike pump, a large rubber bottle cap that I drilled a hole in the middle for the pump, and that way pressurize the system at the expansion tank. Only a few PSI's are enough. It helps to have another person looking for leaks while you pump the air and hold the plug. This way you can work around the engine while cold, so you won't burn your hands trying to locate the leaks.
 
#8 ·
In addition to reducing noise, improving aerodynamics, and keeping water and debris out of your low-hanging engine accessories, the belly pan also supports the front edge of the fender liner. Without it (or improvisation like zip-ties) the slipstream at highway speed pushes the liners back into the tires, wearing holes in them. Like this:

 
#7 ·
Where does the coolant end up on the garage floor? passenger or drivers side? Like scotts13 said I would check the coolant flange first, IMO the flange fails more often then other spots. I had a leak there once and the coolant was dripping off the back end of the flange hose making it very difficult to spot where the leak was coming from.
 
#9 ·
Well, if it isn't your coolant tank, there's few places it could be that are going to be easy on your back to fix. (The water pump or the rear flange are the two most common.) Check the tank, and if it looks good just take it to a shop.