93celicaconv, the heater core was blocked before the fix. The A/C was intermittent at the time and I was getting a low coolant light occasionally. They told me 1100 for the heater core, 1800 for the A/C, 1400 for the radiator and that my turbo was on the way out and that was another 2800. And they happily told me I could use my restitution money for the repairs. I wanted a second opinion. I also had an occasional CEL for a cracked DPF. When I dropped it off I had no codes and they said they would do the fix. So, had the fix accomplished and then had my local shop that is only 10 miles from me give me a second opinion and do the remaining work.
The local shop originally said the radiator was good and that the turbo sounded normal. Two weeks later they were replacing the radiator on their dime. They showed me the old heater core with the top cut off full of sludge when I went to pick it up. Still no issues with the turbo and by the extended warranty I believe it is covered for the additional 40,000 miles.
Once the local shop got the car back running, still no heat in the car, I threw a CEL for the glow plug control module.
VW wanted me to pay for the replacement originally. They had marked on the hood sticker that it had been replaced and told me it wasn't covered. They finally replaced it and it didn't cost me anything. About a week later I threw a CEL for the EGR insufficient flow and somehow convinced them to replace the EGR cooler. After it had been back to the local shop and back to VW multiple times each one blaming eeach others work. Once the EGR cooler was replaced I've had heat ever since.
Before the EGR cooler was replaced though I had a weird popping noise in the dash/heater core area. Since the EGR cooler has been replaced I have had the constant sound of fluid running through the dash. VW has replaced the heater hoses twice and claim they have flushed the system multiple times and still cannot get the flowing noise to stop. Their last report said the following
"Audible sound of coolant running through heater after cold start. Found slight dried coolant residue on heater hose coming from EGR cooler. EGR cooler and heater core previously replaced. Replaced damaged hoses and pressure tested, vacuum filled cooling system. Noise eliminated when engine warm, A/C and heater working fine. Solid debris still left in coolant system from previous contamination with incorrect coolant or oil. Possible head gasket damage from previous overheating of engine. Possible debris still stuck in coolant lines running through firewall or in new heater core itself."
As far as the "eating coolant", I got a low coolant warning the other day. Added about 8 ounces of coolant and have been monitoring. With the engine cold I've toped off the coolant bottle with coolant. I drive 50 miles to work. Basically hear fluid running through the heater core the whole drive. After the car sits for 8 to 10 hours I'll check it before my ride home. The coolant is well below the full mark of a cold engine. Probably about 1/4 full. As I loosen the cap you can hear the pressure relieve and the coolant bubbles and fills up to about 4-6 ounces below the full mark. I top it off and head home. Same thing the next morning.
I had another VW dealership look at it at the recommendation of VW customer support and they told me it was normal and replaced the pollen filter. So, back to the VW shop that did the work and hopefully get it straightened out this time.......