Thirsty buggy - WHERES ALL THE COOLANT?

[Mr.Pearl]

Hey guys

When I start up my beetle, a blue coolant symbol appears. Then shortly after (about 15 mins of driving) a flashing red coolant sign comes on.

Sometimes it just starts with the flashing red coolant symbol.

I have refilled the coolant tank 3 times in 1 week. I have checked and do not see a leak. But also note, I am not a professional.

Where is all my coolant going? I know I should not be using the standard green stuff and have yet to get the pink g12.

ne ideas?


thnx~!




* note there has been an unknown CEL for at least 4 months now, even after a diagnostic.

[Smileybug]

If there is a CEL on, there is a code. You need to get that code read. Could help point you in the right direction.

Has the water pump/timing belt job been done on the car? How many miles on the car? Are you adding green coolant to the pink? If so...that's a huge no-no. Hopefully you are just adding distilled water.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Mr. Pearl! Hi! Weren't sure you or the Miss would be back. I'm guessing you just have a real thristy Kafer! (lmao) You may simply just not have it full! Although, where did it go to begin with! Hope you're not blowing it out your exhaust because of a gasket problem.

I want to believe there is a valve between the expansion tank and the radiator. Try filling the radiator AND then the expansion tank. You seem to be reading the indicator light properly. Blue simply an indication of engine temperature, red low coolant. Get that ucky green **** out of there, Buddy. G12, period. And it wilol need a good flushing.

Ditto getting the code read with the proper diagnostic equipment, sounds like an auto parts store read!

MORAV

[2004NBTURBOS]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Try filling the radiator AND then the expansion tank.MORAV

There is no radiator cap. The expansion tank is the only way to add fluid to the system. At least in my 2000GLX an 2003 TS.

[JP]

had this same issue a couple of month's ago, turned out to be a leaking lower radiator hose it dripped so slow it won't leave mark's on the floor finally found it when it snowed and i saw a stain on the white snow, but i just noticed on your post you filled it up 3-time's in a week.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by 2004NBTURBOS

There is no radiator cap. The expansion tank is the only way to add fluid to the system. At least in my 2000GLX an 2003 TS.

Yes, I got that info in another post, but read a comment about there being something else that worked like a cap. Guess I need to go look at one of mine!

[Mr.Pearl]

No water pump/timing belt job done since we got her in May 2010. she has 53k miles. Unfortunately its been just the green stuff (coolant)...where can I get g12? dealer only?

Most importantly, we have taken the car to 2 places to get the CEL read and no codes show up.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by Mr.Pearl

No water pump/timing belt job done since we got her in May 2010. she has 53k miles. Unfortunately its been just the green stuff (coolant)...where can I get g12? dealer only?

Most importantly, we have taken the car to 2 places to get the CEL read and no codes show up.

One of the corner auto parts chains carries it. Try a search for coolant in the threads, last 4 weeks. use "coolant", three numbers/letters won't search I just found out. Or www.ecstuning.com You need G12, not G11

What kind of equip are they reading it with. Was it a dealer or a VW Specialty Shop. For some codes, I understand, it takes a Vag-Com.

MORAV

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

There is actually a thread on here for Orgers who have Vag-Coms and may be in your area or close, willing to help. You still haven't put any location in your statistics that tells us where you are.

MORAV

[Mr.Pearl]

yea - sorry about that, we're in NYC. I haven't had access to my bio/info but i asked to mods to help me out idk.

that would be great for 2 reasons
1. to meet an nb.org-er
2. well....to fix the prob LOL

ne new yorkers here?

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by Mr.Pearl

yea - sorry about that, we're in NYC. I haven't had access to my bio/info but i asked to mods to help me out idk.

that would be great for 2 reasons
1. to meet an nb.org-er
2. well....to fix the prob LOL

ne new yorkers here?

There's a bunch just across the bridge or thru the tunnel (lol), and a couple out on L.I.

Anyway, did you click on the User CP, on the left side of the lower purple bar at the top of the screen? It should take you to a list of control panel items down the left side. From there you can click into different things and set up things the way you want them. If you need help and are not comfortable doing that on here, feel free to p/m me. Simply click on my user id name in the top left corner of my post, and select "send private message".

Always glad to help a newbie with anything!

MORAV

[Mr.Pearl]

haha - yea i appreciate the help. It's some technical glich tho. newbie for sure, but even tho i keep editing, the info has me saved as some1 else that's been a member for a few years now lol (Fiona Pearl...idk who that is)



Mistaken identity

[Tico4Life]

Originally Posted by MyOtherRidesAVette

Yes, I got that info in another post, but read a comment about there being something else that worked like a cap. Guess I need to go look at one of mine!

The reservoir cap that is pressurized as well as the regular radiator cap. That's from when Jason yelled @ me a couple of days back

I thought I read somewhere around the org that using anything but G12 would throw a cel? Or maybe I just made that up.

[Mr.Pearl]

Originally Posted by J.Arce

...I thought I read somewhere around the org that using anything but G12 would throw a cel? Or maybe I just made that up...

that would be amazing, but believable ... tricky German engineering.

Can I do a flush myself? Or should I leave that to a pro? I am going to order a gallon online ($22 yea!)

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by Mr.Pearl

haha - yea i appreciate the help. It's some technical glich tho. newbie for sure, but even tho i keep editing, the info has me saved as some1 else that's been a member for a few years now lol (Fiona Pearl...idk who that is)



Mistaken identity

Yeah, I remember now. You never got that handled? I'll find the user id for an admin. I thought Dnyed was going to handle it.

Your right, I click into your page and get Fiona Pearl. The only Fiona I know is Michael Westen's side kick on Burn Notice, and WOW, that'sa Fiona!

MORAV

[batikbluesmommy]

Originally Posted by Mr.Pearl

Hey guys

When I start up my beetle, a blue coolant symbol appears. Then shortly after (about 15 mins of driving) a flashing red coolant sign comes on.

Sometimes it just starts with the flashing red coolant symbol.

I have refilled the coolant tank 3 times in 1 week. I have checked and do not see a leak. But also note, I am not a professional.

Where is all my coolant going? I know I should not be using the standard green stuff and have yet to get the pink g12.

ne ideas?


thnx~!




* note there has been an unknown CEL for at least 4 months now, even after a diagnostic.

Dont use the regular coolant for your bug, its just burns up, either use vw coolant or there this new stuff that is consetrated and mixes with any color and is for any make or model and it does work cus im using it in my beetle, but if you do dont put vw coolant on top of the universal stuff. have your water pump checked, it could be comeing out while driving, and also unlike most cars, beetles have a way to work the fluid into the system unlike a radiator cap, it takes ours to get it back in, your water pump is made with a plastic impellor also, if you havent replaced it with a metal one they brake easily once it breaks you loose all your coolant quick, i have an extra water pump if you want it, it is plastic but not broke, i replaced mine anyways..good luck
oh sorry for spelling

[JP]

I'm in Westchester county N.Y. and i work in Da Bronx, NAPA auto parts has G12, for like 16.00 a liter on the shelf you just gotta mix it as it is concentrate, also if your close to Yonkers NY Go to Total automotive warehouse on lake street if you need more info PM me

[kellyyysayss]

Do a radiator flush yourself. It will take time. I have the how-to if you want a copy.

You should mix your coolant (G12) 70% g12 30% distilled water after the flush.

I highly rec. a water pump/tb change. It sounds like a hose leak or the pump is on it's way out. I didn't see the year of your car but it probably needs new radiator hoses (upper and lower). Another easy DIY.

If you need help with any other issues I'm about an hour away.

[Mr.Pearl]

WOA! Thanks guys.... guess we've got a lot of work cut out for us

kellyyysayss, that's really nice of you- does that need to be e-mailed? idk or pm lol

(we are tinting this weekend, so maybe it will be an all bug day that day once we get the g12)

[kellyyysayss]

I will PM it to you when I am home.

If you do decide to do the flush, change the hoses....so you don't have to empty the system twice. Use the flexiclamps if they're still on you're bug.