2000 Other Volkswagen Models my car leaking coolant

MATTMAN67

MEMBER
2000 VOLKSWAGEN
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
10,000 MILES

Hello I have a 2000 cabrio, it has 130,000 miles on it and for some reason I put my coolant in and when I sart my car half of the coolant is gone and by the time im done aking my trip thier is about 5% left coolant. And then it will saty in the holder for like a month and then all the coolant is gone and my car over heats. Now ever sense my coolant is so low my car runs terrible at the start untill my fluids are up. The car will jump transmission I called and asked firestone and they said it might be a pump or a headgasket please help me in figuring out my cars problem thankyou very much. If answered I will donate

1 Reply

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Hi there,

The first thing is to have the system pressure tested, this will identify any external coolant leaks. There are a number off ways to inspect for a head problem, the best is to have a chemical test done there any exhaust in the cooling system is identified, this will be a head gasket or cylinder head problem, excessive white smoke or stem from the exhaust when the engine is hot, bubbles in the radiator and surging coolant levels, also dirty brow spark plugs can be an indication of coolant in the cylinder. If you mechanic has a bore scope, he can look in the engine and see if there is any "Washing" on the piston crown, this is where the super hot steam caused by a coolant leak washes the carbon deposits off the top of the piston.

I hope this is a help and we look forward to your donation.

Mark (mhpautos)