Hey there. I have a 2002 beetle tdi and it has a coolant leak. It come out on the drivers side and I can hear a sizzle by the firewall but my heater works fine . What could this be. I have never had a Vw before let alone a diesel. I just need the cheapest fix possible so it stops getting hot. The red temp light flashes and has not stayed a solid red so I think I might be ok but I am not knowledgeable on Volkswagen or diesel motors. Please help me. Thanks from a mother with too muc
Help!!!! New to VW
- Thread starter Jyounger
- Start date
Tdijarhead
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2013
- Location
- Lawrenceville PA
- TDI
- 2003 TDI Jetta Daughters Car, 2001 TDI Beetle, Wife’s car, 2005 Golf TDI Mine, all 5 spds
The flashing temp light means your coolant is low. On the drivers side there is a flange mounted on the end of the head, that is the most likely place for a leak. Those flanges are plastic/composite on the auto transmission models.
Or it could be just the temperature sensor which is leaking that is mounted in the back of that same flange with an O ring and held in place by a clip. Someone may have replaced the sensor in the past and not fished the old O ring out of the mounting hole and now there are two of them in there causing the leak.
I’m assuming you have an automatic transmission. If yours is the highly reliable and desirable manual transmission then it’s more likely to be the temp sensor leaking.
It could also be one of the hoses leading to the coolant flange. You’re going to have to do some looking and identify where the coolant is actually coming from.
Coolant Flange for Cylinder Head (A4 Auto)
Coolant flange for the rear (or transmission side) of ALH engines that are not equipped coolant glow plugs, including all automatic transmission vehicles. Does not fit manual transmission vehicles ...
www.idparts.com
Or it could be just the temperature sensor which is leaking that is mounted in the back of that same flange with an O ring and held in place by a clip. Someone may have replaced the sensor in the past and not fished the old O ring out of the mounting hole and now there are two of them in there causing the leak.
Coolant Temperature Sensor Green 4pin w/Seal and Clip (A4)(B5.5)
Coolant Temperature Sensor Green 4 pin. This is the coolant temp sensor for most later TDIs, including PD engined A4 chassis cars. Check your car before ordering, early cars (98-00) use the blue se...
www.idparts.com
I’m assuming you have an automatic transmission. If yours is the highly reliable and desirable manual transmission then it’s more likely to be the temp sensor leaking.
It could also be one of the hoses leading to the coolant flange. You’re going to have to do some looking and identify where the coolant is actually coming from.
hskrdu
Top Post Dawg
In addition to the above, avoid driving with the coolant below the "MIN" marking on your coolant expansion tank. The correct way to top it off is a 50/50 mix (depending on season and location, and "Paradise" doesn't help us) of VW G12 coolant (or current equivalent) and deionized water.
If you use a strong flashlight to follow the large black rubber tubing from the radiator to the engine and back, you might be able to spot the leak or a buildup of dried coolant at the point of the leak. If it's on the underside, it's tougher to see.
There are several posts with a layout of your engine and how-to's for coolant leaks, so a search will also help. Little of this will be specific to VWs or diesels, other than "where are things" and "what do they look like."
forums.tdiclub.com
G13 Coolant 1.5 Liter
New updated coolant G13 replaces the old G12++ 1.5L of VW specification G13 Coolant. Concentrated - must be mixed 50/50 with distilled water. Fully backwards compatible. Can be mixed wi...
www.idparts.com
If you use a strong flashlight to follow the large black rubber tubing from the radiator to the engine and back, you might be able to spot the leak or a buildup of dried coolant at the point of the leak. If it's on the underside, it's tougher to see.
There are several posts with a layout of your engine and how-to's for coolant leaks, so a search will also help. Little of this will be specific to VWs or diesels, other than "where are things" and "what do they look like."
Engine bay layout
I once used to have a jpg of my 2004's engine bay layout but cannot find it any more. Does anyone know where I can find a jpg that lays out the engine compartment?