Coolant warning lamp on VR6

[gogsboy 0]

My cars coolant warning light is not going out when I start the car, it just flashes.

 

I remember reading the manual and it mentions that some cars have auto coolant level monitor.

 

Does the VR6 have this, what is the usual reason for this sort of behaviour with a VR6.

 

Thanks

[Supercharged 2]

Yeah - check the level mate they all have it... if it's ok then it's a duff sensor, usually casued by topping up with tap water or incorrect coolant used in past - new tank is about £20

[gogsboy 0]

I ended up taking the other car but will check it once get back or tomrrow, I have only had the car for a short time, drove it 600 miles to get it home and only covered about 200-300 miles in that time.

 

It has never came on before and was serviced at a VW dealer just about 2k ago.

 

You mean it might need the actual water tank replaced, is it £20 from the dealer.

 

I havent put any water in it but have used tap water in other cars with no issues as such.

[Jim Bowen 1]

when my light was doing this i check the header tank and was missing 90% of the water

[craigowl 0]

Not suggesting this is problem, but you never know.

 

I used to top up the coolant reservoir of our Peugeot with neat coolant. Not that much was ever required.

 

A few years later the warning light came on, yet the level was not low.

 

I unscrewed the sensor tube out of the reservoir and found that the neat coolant (presumably) had turned plastic and rubber parts of sensor tube into jelly!

Needed to buy a new one.

Have never topped up with neat coolant again.

You live and learn.

[Jim Bowen 1]

neat coolant :lol: did you read the instructions?

[craigowl 0]

Almost certainly, 3corsameal. Decades ago!

It was never much coolant that was needed and I had imagined some mixing would take place.

Clearly, that was wrong. :oops:

[gogsboy 0]

when my light was doing this i check the header tank and was missing 90% of the water

 

Just checked the tank today and its quite low, did you just top up with water, normally I would just do that but so much talk regading dont use tap water, other coolants and so on.

 

Whats best to do.

[craigowl 0]

Top up with mixture of half distilled water/half coolant.

[gogsboy 0]

Where do you get this G12 + or whatever its called, is it main dealer only and absoloutely essential?

 

Read somewhere that you are not meant to use it if something else has been used.

[vr6storm 0]

G12+ can be used with G11 and G12...........however you can't mix G11 with G12 as it gells up.............VW are your best bet.......GS&F do it too but you'll pay for delivery

[gogsboy 0]

Right so its safest bet to go with G12+ then, is it just Specialist Cars who are the dealers now.

 

I take it this means the car is most likely leaking somewhere, it seemed quite far down.

[vr6storm 0]

check the expansion bottle cap first,as they are known for leaking there,its maybe worth your while draining all the coolant out and refilling it fresh,as its meant to be changed every 2yrs too..........

[gogsboy 0]

Is it not ok to use just water to see if there is a leak or is that a no no, seems a waste to fill up with fresh if its going to drop it all.

 

Is it not part of the VW service schedule, as for me draining it all, I'd make an arse of it, can change a light bulb thats about my limit when it comes to engines and the like.

[vr6storm 0]

yeah but if the car's not garaged and you have too weak a coolant and a frosty night..........its not something I'd like to tempt fate with

 

its only part of the service schedule if you ask VW to specifically change the coolant

[gogsboy 0]

yeah but if the car's not garaged and you have too weak a coolant and a frosty night..........its not something I'd like to tempt fate with

 

its only part of the service schedule if you ask VW to specifically change the coolant

 

And a frosty night we have here in Aberdeen tonight.

 

I have one of those tester things where it gives a reading of the temperature you should be protected to, mind you not sure how good or accurate they are.

 

Is using still water essential in your opinon with the G12+ mix.

[craigowl 0]

Not essential with Aberdeen water, IMO - it just depends how fussy you are and how much care you want to give the car - how long you intend to keep it, etc.

Just use tap water in the meantime until any leak problems are resolved.

[gogsboy 0]

Not essential with Aberdeen water, IMO - it just depends how fussy you are and how much care you want to give the car - how long you intend to keep it, etc.

Just use tap water in the meantime until any leak problems are resolved.

 

I was thinking that regarding water from up north.

 

I topped it up with some G12+ and water mix, it was blue coolant that was in it. Topped it up to between the two marks and took it for a run, seemed to sit quite low, lower than had been previously, down at 75-80, eventually went upto 90 and when got back lft if sitting and it went upto 100 and fan came on.

 

Checked the level when came back when hot and seemed to be below the min, should it not be higher if anything.

 

No sign of any leaks that can see, all hoses and clips seem to be in very good order

[Jim Bowen 1]

check around the thermostat housing, on the front right corner as you stood infront of engine and about halfway down, has lots of pipes,

 

i could see mine looked white and water stained, and after about 1 week it gave up and was pouring too much to be able to drive it.

 

i got all the blue coolant that was in there flushed out, and replaced with g12+, i didn't wanna mix the two, so just used tap water (but it was warmer then)

[Jim Bowen 1]

http://www.the-corrado.net/.archive/forum/viewtopic.php?t=47829

[gogsboy 0]

Help....still got Corrado issues!

 

Car hasnt been used a great deal what with working away...

 

Still dropping coolant and a slowish rate and after searching the site and reading replies, a lot of people advise to change the coolant cap first, if this was the problem would it be visible, I mean does the coolant rise up and leak out the seal?

 

If so would you see this if you checked it after a run or would the heat to the tank dry it up quickly?

 

I popped into a garage today and kinda wishing I hadnt but maybe no harm done.....

 

Guy had a look but didnt really appear to be very knowlegable, thats rich coming from me who doesnt know much about car mechanics etc....

 

Anyway he was going to put in some of the garages green or blue coolant but I told him I had g12 plus in the boot so he started putting that in...but the engine was hot hot, is that normal practice?

 

Anyway he said didnt know where leaking blah blah and I buggered off..

 

I had a look at the level later and it was really dirty inside, like brown, not like it looked like before....

 

Any advice, ideas, thanks in advance

[craigowl 0]

Dirty brown - is it oily? Can you see globules floating on top of the coolant?

 

Hope its not a blown cylinder head gasket.

 

When you take off the oil filler cap on top of the engine when it is cold , are their mayonnaise-like yellow or yellowish brown deposits on it?

[Jon_vr6 1]

Same as above brown in the coolant tank = trouble!

[gogsboy 0]

need to go and have a look at this and will get back on it.

 

The guy who looked at it said he didnt think it was head gasket but like I said got the impression he didnt know as much as a mechanic maybe should have.

 

He had engine running with cap off and said looks ok and got me to rev the engine while he looked at the exhaust...

 

What things causes head gaskets to go, is that where the water has been leaking slightly from perhaps?

[vr6storm 0]

where in Aberdeen are you Gogs?............if you wan't I can pop round and give you my take on it