Coolant warning light on DIS

VTEC_Killer

VTEC_Killer

Registered User
Joined
Oct 18, 2006
Messages
118
Reaction score
5
Points
18
Location
West Yorkshire
As title, this came on when I started the car from cold, stayed on for a few mins and then went off.

The warning came back on when on the way to work (it is a red temp gauge with 2 squiggly lines)

I checked the water and coolant levels a week ago, all was fine.

I've read this warning is for the engine overheating, but why would it come on when I started the car from cold?

Any ideas?
 
Coolant sensor maybe faulty.
 
Just checked, the coolant level was low, way low.

Got me worried now, I've topped it up and couldn't see or hear any leak - so all good so far.

But I think there is a leak somewhere (waterpump perhaps) as the coolant level has gone down by almost 2 ltrs in less than 2 weeks.

Going to keep a close eye on it.
 
I haven't heard of it on these, but this was a common fault on Mk4's that could be sorted in the short term with a flat blade screwdriver.

When people didn't use the correct G13 antifreeze the header tank would get a bit manky and the level sensor gets a build up on it causing it to randomly throw low level warnings up. You can scrape it of to get rid for a short time while you buy a new tank to replace it.

I'm not saying you have been using the wrong antifreeze, but someone who owned it before you may have, and it's the only thing I can think of if it carries on happening. I'm not sure how much header tanks are for these, but they were circa £20 for the Mk4.
 
Your reply wasn't there before I typed that last message so scratch that.
 
It might be worth popping the bonnet when you've been out and got it upto running temp to check for leaks.

My mate had a similar issue on his Mk4 based beetle, and it was the header tank cap that had failed which would let fluid out when up to temp and pressurised.
 
Thanks - going to do just that.

Ride back to home is 20 miles, so that will be enough to see how the level is when I get home.
 
Check oil cap for a mayo coating to see if the head gasket is gone or not.......water mixing with the oil
 
  • Like
Reactions: VTEC_Killer
VTEC_Killer said:
As title, this came on when I started the car from cold, stayed on for a few mins and then went off.

The warning came back on when on the way to work (it is a red temp gauge with 2 squiggly lines)

I checked the water and coolant levels a week ago, all was fine.

I've read this warning is for the engine overheating, but why would it come on when I started the car from cold?

Any ideas?
Click to expand...

I had this, turned out to be a common fault within the water bottle itself. New bottle at around £12 and haven't seen the warning again.
 
UPDATE!

So, luckily it turned out to be a leak in one of the pipes where the radiator is (behind the main engine in the EGR side). All fixed now (drained and re-filled with coolant/anti freeze) and car seems to be ok!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mike_B
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
Oil Warning Light / Coolant Warning Light / Coolant Leak
Replies
3
Views
3K
KV72
K
P
Help - Brake Warning light on DIS
Replies
10
Views
5K
Phil.MC
Phil.MC
barkclark
DIS amber brake warning light
Replies
7
Views
915
Lee_R
L
P
Brake warning on DIS?
Replies
14
Views
873
p1tse
P
N
Service warning on DIS
Replies
7
Views
857
Marko
M
Top
Back