losing coolant

[91goldgsx]

My wife drives a 2000 Jetta VR6 and before she starts the car she has to add coolant to the overflow tank.She had thermostat,water pump,radiator replaced.What else could be making her lose coolant.After it drives for a little while the overflow tank will be soaked.Any help would be greatly appreciated

[2wdlaser]

Could be a head-gasket our subbie did that when we got it. Had to replace both :(.

[91goldgsx]

ok thanks man.thats what i was thinking too but didnt want to get that and still not fix the problem

[Ej6Mike]

They make a $60 sealent that autozone sells. Follow the directions on it word for word, and ive heard it will really help for minor headgasket leaks. Its worth a shot before going right to a headgasket job, which can get pricey thru a shop.

[91goldgsx]

They make a $60 sealent that autozone sells. Follow the directions on it word for word, and ive heard it will really help for minor headgasket leaks. Its worth a shot before going right to a headgasket job, which can get pricey thru a shop.


Thanks man I'll check that out first to see if that helps with her cars problem

[MPowerKai]

Before everyone starts guessing might I suggest pressure testing the system. There are a lot of hoses that coolant runs through, anyone of them could be leaking, heater core. You mentioned the coolant resevoir will be soaked after driving for a while, it could be the cap is not holding pressure too good anymore or the resevoir itself

[91goldgsx]

i made an appoitment to get the system pressure tested on tuesday.Thanks for everyones help

[SL8Brick]

I know you said she recently had the thermostat replaced...did they replace just the thermostat, or the entire t-stat housing? The reason I ask, the multi-piece t-stat housings are prone to leaks on aging VR6s...especially if someone just fiddled with it.

Just an idea.

[Bugasm99]

You may also want to check the crack pipe (coolant pipe low on front of block) as it is prone to leakage near the thermostat. If the coolant is leaking from the bubble then it is overflowing. I would check for air bubbles, or make sure the coolant cap is sealing correctly as this will allow the coolant to bubble over.

[91goldgsx]

i'll check into that man thanks for the heads up about the crack pipe

[russiankid]

Don't use any sealants in the cooling system. They will seal up your headgasket but at the same time clog up all the other water passages.

[Foolinaround]

Don't use any sealants in the cooling system. They will seal up your headgasket but at the same time clog up all the other water passages.

QFT. Just like those who use stop leak for their oil pan leaks.

[got_vdub]

You may also want to check the crack pipe (coolant pipe low on front of block) as it is prone to leakage near the thermostat. If the coolant is leaking from the bubble then it is overflowing. I would check for air bubbles, or make sure the coolant cap is sealing correctly as this will allow the coolant to bubble over.

What this guy said ;)

SteveO@OpenRoadTuning.com