I have a 2000 V6 Jetta that I bought used and have run into some trouble. I want to figure out what the problem is exactly before I take it to be repaired so I'm open to any comments or suggestions (I hope this is in the right category). Below is a more detailed description my husband has written up.
its done 68000 miles
it does not loose coolant when you drive it, it seems to loose it when its parked - particularly overnight on some mornings when checked- the whole coolant fill up reservoir (that clear bottle next to the wiper fluid) needs to be topped to the max mark - it is completely empty - some mornings it only needs a little top up and some mornings it does not need topping up. However the coolant NEVER appears to be leaking onto the ground - it is simply disappearing somewhere.
TROUBLESHOOTING SO FAR:
1. could originally smell coolant thru the interior air ducts when the air/AC/Heat was initially turned on, the smell would subside a few min later
so we thought it was the heat core that was leaking and the fluid was filling the core
we isolated the heater coil issue by diverting the coolant from the heater core by connecting the coolant IN hose to the OUT hose just inside the engine bay by the firewall, thus removing the heating functionality of the interior.
But the coolant keeps disappearing, and we know its not the heater core
2. got a mechanic to pressure test the coolant system- under pressure it don’t leak but found a leaking head gasket when pressure subsides.
head not blown, as indicated by not loosing compression on cinders, no evidence of a water/creamy color when you check the oil by dipstick
Have been quoted $900.00 to fix the leaking head gasket (IS this a good Price?
I want to be certain replacing the head gasket will fix your disappearing coolant issue
Also, what the right coolant type is and how much it costs for a gallon and what the would the distilled water/coolant ratio be?
Any advice would be a big help.
thank you!
its done 68000 miles
it does not loose coolant when you drive it, it seems to loose it when its parked - particularly overnight on some mornings when checked- the whole coolant fill up reservoir (that clear bottle next to the wiper fluid) needs to be topped to the max mark - it is completely empty - some mornings it only needs a little top up and some mornings it does not need topping up. However the coolant NEVER appears to be leaking onto the ground - it is simply disappearing somewhere.
TROUBLESHOOTING SO FAR:
1. could originally smell coolant thru the interior air ducts when the air/AC/Heat was initially turned on, the smell would subside a few min later
so we thought it was the heat core that was leaking and the fluid was filling the core
we isolated the heater coil issue by diverting the coolant from the heater core by connecting the coolant IN hose to the OUT hose just inside the engine bay by the firewall, thus removing the heating functionality of the interior.
But the coolant keeps disappearing, and we know its not the heater core
2. got a mechanic to pressure test the coolant system- under pressure it don’t leak but found a leaking head gasket when pressure subsides.
head not blown, as indicated by not loosing compression on cinders, no evidence of a water/creamy color when you check the oil by dipstick
Have been quoted $900.00 to fix the leaking head gasket (IS this a good Price?
I want to be certain replacing the head gasket will fix your disappearing coolant issue
Also, what the right coolant type is and how much it costs for a gallon and what the would the distilled water/coolant ratio be?
Any advice would be a big help.
thank you!