Coolant loss in SSV

[ONEMPG]

Hi guys!

I’m driving around in a 07 SSV A6 which I have owned since new and now has 37,000K’s on the clock. It’s been an awesome car and has given me no troubles at all. However recently I’ve noticed that every couple of weeks my coolant level drops slightly when I go to check the reservoir bottle till the point that I need to add coolant to get it up to the minimum mark.

I’ve taken it back to the dealers twice only to have them tell me that they have pressure tested the system and that they can’t fault anything. Telling me to just monitor it and bring it in again if it continues. So….I’m just wondering if anyone has experienced this and what the problem could be.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Peter B - CV8]

Heater hose connections are known to seep a bit..... they are just next to the driver's side rocker cover. Replace the factory crimps with proper clamps (or get the dealer to do it next service).

[Wonky]

They've had a lot of problems with the overflow bottles in VEs but the dealer should be well aware of that and should have checked it as the first thing!

[LS1-5.7]

There may be a very small leak that won't show up under a pressure test and I really am not surprised they did not find anything .... they rarely do when it will cost them warranty money ;) Second opinions are always handy and have revealed some startling results, trust me. Can you smell coolant at any time ? It could be coming from a variety of places such as the waterpump, hose clamps (as mentioned) or even the heater core or radiator. I would be watching it closely one day and let it idle with the heater on for about half an hour and monitor it. There may well be tell tale red coolant under it when you're done so trace it's origin and fix it. Don't run the risk of becoming a habitual temp gauge watcher as the uncertainty will do your head in !
Good luck :)

[steve_t]

Any coolant in your oil?? Hope not! :shiner:

[mmciau]

If it is possible to obtain a loan of a 'pressure tester', it has been seen before that a test held overnight with a very cold engine and system can at times show a leak.


Mike

[ONEMPG]

Thanks everyone for your replies.


Heater hose connections are known to seep a bit..... they are just next to the driver's side rocker cover. Replace the factory crimps with proper clamps (or get the dealer to do it next service).

Originally thought it could be the heater as this started happening when the weather started to get cold and am using the heater more often. I've checked the heater hose connections even after running the heater for 30 mins and they are bone dry. There is also no trace of dried red coolant stains around the connecters or any other hose connections, water pump, etc.




They've had a lot of problems with the overflow bottles in VEs but the dealer should be well aware of that and should have checked it as the first thing!

Thanks Wonky, I'll get them to check that out next week when I drop it off again.



Any coolant in your oil?? Hope not! :shiner:

No. No oil in coolant. I also thought that there could be an internal leak somewhere but you wouldn't expect that on a car with only 37K.

Anyway, I'll try the dealers otherwise I'll get a second opinion.
Cheers