Coolant level light.

[STI65]

I have a 2006 Polo GTI and a couple of times the coolant level light has come on just after I have started the car.
If I then restart the car it goes away. It has been pressure tested and there is no leak. What would it be and how do I fix it? Anyone else had a problem like this?

[h100vw]

Is it short of fluid, you didn't comment on that?

Gavin

[STI65]

The level seems to be ok. The light has only come on 2 or 3 times, but intermittently.

[noone]

You only need to drop 50ml to have the light come on. I top up 2-3 times a year, think I have a very small leak.
for me its cheaper to buy a 5L concentrate and have 600ml in the car made up.

lifetime supply (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5-Year-Concentrate-Premix-Penrite-Engine-Coolant-/261216015441)

[STI65]

Very good idea. Thanks noone.

[noone]

FYI, to anyone reading this thread about coolant, I saw this product linked as one of the few parts that meet the VW standards.

Cant see the thread I saw this in, but the product page (http://www.penriteoil.com.au/products.php?id_categ=1&id_products=272) shows its G12 / G12+ approved

[PassatB6]

I have a 2006 Polo GTI and a couple of times the coolant level light has come on just after I have started the car.
If I then restart the car it goes away. It has been pressure tested and there is no leak. What would it be and how do I fix it? Anyone else had a problem like this?

The chances are that its a faulty sensor. I have the same problem in my Skoda and the dealership is replacing the sensor under warranty. If it were just a fluid level problem then the light would come on at other times. The symptoms of coming on once or twice after you start in the mornings and not for the rest of the day is typical of reports of the sensor issue. An alternative reported on some forums is to brush the sensor clean with an old toothbrush as I have heard it can be related to a build up of residue. Not sure where it is, sorry!

[noone]

the sensor is in the reservoir, not an issue on our cars that i'm aware of. You only have to be 1mm under the line and it will read low, when the coolant is a litte warm, it will expand and thus the light does not come on if its been warmed.

[STI65]

King among men noone. Thanks very much for the info.

[PassatB6]

the sensor is in the reservoir, not an issue on our cars that i'm aware of. You only have to be 1mm under the line and it will read low, when the coolant is a litte warm, it will expand and thus the light does not come on if its been warmed.

The sensor is an issue across a lot of VW models including the Polo. Its been mentioned before on the Polo thread here. Also in other forums.

Coolant Light flashing on start up. (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?141098-Coolant-Light-flashing-on-start-up)

Club Polo Forum > Coolant warning light (http://www.clubpolo.co.uk/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t280281.html)

[STI65]

Thanks for the help guys. I am not the most mechanically minded person. It has to be serviced this week so my mechanic can have a look.

[GTiPilot]

Hi everyone,

Mine does the same, however, when cold and before startup on flat ground the level is at the full/max line and no where near the empty line. Sometimes I can go for weeks without it coming on and sometimes it happens every trip. If you turn the car off and on again its not there anymore. Every time I drive (ambient temps between 10-40 degrees C) it always comes up to 90 degrees on the temp gauge.

I think it is a faulty sensor which unfortunately is fixed inside the bottle and so needs to have the whole bottle replaced.

[STI65]

Whats a new bottle/resovoir worth?

[STI65]

Mechanic said its a leaking radiator. Thankfully it is a very slow leak. What is a new one worth installed?

[STI65]

I have been quoted over $900 by my mechanic to replace my radiator on my Polo GTI. VW quoted over $800, Red Devil have quoted between $600-$650 and Natrad say $545. However I don't know if Red Devil and Natrad will use genuine VW parts. Instead of calling VW for a quote on a radiator they looked it up in their catalogue and I am pretty sure they thought it was the same radiator used in the 1.4 and 1.6L Polos. Are they the same radiators and can you guys recommend me anyone reasonably priced?

[noone]

I remember seeing the cores for a few hundred, bit of work involved. Given the price tag, i would look at trying to seal the leak whilst on the vehicle. Have you been shown the leak?

[STI65]

No I haven't to be honest. I didn't even know you could seal a leak. I thought you had to replace the radiator.

[noone]

If its the common one (radiator end plastic bit), then its probably not easy to do. There are products that you can add to the coolant, but that might be a bad idea, not sure sorry.

If the light comes on less than once a month, it might be easier to keep a bit in the boot and check it when you check your oil / tyres.

[STI65]

I do keep spare coolant with me but I am the type of guy who has to fix something if it is broken otherwise it stays on my mind.

[STI65]

New radiator in. Hopefully no more problems.