Coolant leak 1.6 TDI

Hello everyone,

My wife now has a Caddy 1.6 TDI.
Purchased not long ago. The current mileage is just under 50,000 kilometers.
Approximately 3.5 years old.
Fourteen days ago, I received the coolant level warning for the first time.
There were several things below the minimum.
I then added approximately 300 to 400 ml of liquid until it reached the maximum level. Highlight filled.
After driving 900 km today, the remaining range is just above the minimum.
Grumbles, but I suppose it was to be expected.
I don't see any water on the dipstick or on the oil filler cap. Everything looks great here.

I called my local handyman about two weeks ago.
He said that the 1.6-liter engines generally don't have problems with the head gasket.
However, the AGR cooler is known to sometimes leak water more frequently.

Is the AGR cooler a common problem? Or is it just wishful thinking?

Best regards,

Hello,

The AGR cooler cannot be ruled out. It's also possible, and has happened to me, that there are leaks in the oil cooler, which can be detected by oil traces in the coolant reservoir.
I would proceed as follows:
- Inspect all coolant-carrying lines and hoses in the engine compartment for any signs of dried, red-and-white residue.
- Search the water pump's vent opening for similar traces.
- Search the area for similar traces.

There are also fluorescent substances that can be added to the coolant, which glow under UV light (black light) and make it easier to detect leaks. It is also advisable to check the outlet opening of the heat exchanger for the internal heating system.

- Check if there are any bubbles visible in the coolant return line while the engine is running (if so: likely a blown head gasket).
- Check if the coolant loss can be induced, for example, by driving with a high load (if coolant then leaks out through the pressure relief valve in the expansion tank, it is likely a blown head gasket).

If everything is unsuccessful and nothing can be found:
- Replace the AGR cooler and the oil cooler.

Best regards, Rainer.

First, check the water pump, as quite a few have needed to be replaced in the 1.6 models. Occasionally, there have also been defective cylinder heads, which I've encountered twice. I haven't had any AGR coolers leak yet; they usually just get clogged.

Hello,

If there's no visible external coolant leak, it's usually the EGR cooler... we have plenty of those in stock.

Thank you for the information.

I already see it as "Everything is possible, nothing is mandatory."

I will get started and hope for the best.

Best regards,

The AGR radiator is more prone to issues with the 1.6 engine compared to the 2.0 engine.

Quote:

The AGR cooler is more prone to issues on the 1.6 engine compared to the 2.0 engine.

I find that very interesting. According to... ET numbers (from the dealer, not AKTE) should be the same .

Could it be due to the usage profile of the 1.6 TDIs, which typically experience more cold/warm cycles per kilometer?