2000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
140,000 MILES
Avatar
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hi I have a 2000 Golf and have a coolant leak somewhere, ny school shop teacher thinks its the head gasket. I did a compression test and got close to 180 on each cylinder could it still be my head gasket?
Mar 9, 2013 at 6:26 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
i would add dye to the system, run it and use an ultraviolet light to pin point the leak.

assume nothing here till you find the exact leak

Roy
Mar 9, 2013 at 6:52 PM
Avatar
EXOVCDS
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,883 POSTS
Good suggestion by ASEMaster6371.... just want to add something if I may.

What engine? Any oil in the Coolant Reservoir?

In general the VW engines are fairly bullet proof until they get up in miles... common leaks are, the water pump, coolant side flanges at the
cylinder head, heater core and radiators. VW Coolant usually leaves a pink residue when it leaks out, so "stains" should be visible if you look
close enough.... but a die will / can also help.

Head gaskets are usually not that common, unless high mileage or some type of major overheating had taken place. Removing the spark
plugs and checking the cylinder walls with a borescope, can show / find corrosion that is due to coolant running down the cylinder wall.

Thomas
Mar 9, 2013 at 9:36 PM
Advertisement