Cooling Water Level Fluctuations

Hello!

G III, AFN. 138'.

Due to minor coolant leaks occurring simultaneously with a...
I have been trying for some time to investigate a possible connection to the smoky auxiliary heater.
Spur zu kommen und beobachte schlicht den Wasserstand im Ausgleichsbehälter. In welchem.
Fluctuations are actually normal. Sometimes, the level in the morning is very low when it's extremely cold.
The engine was about 2 cm higher than it was the previous day, when it hadn't been so cold.

How can the level fluctuate when water is relatively stable in terms of volume?

Probably a beginner's question, so thank you in advance for any answers!

Greetings, Klaus.

Klausel wrote:

How can the water level fluctuate at all, considering that water is quite stable in terms of volume?

Well, it's not really stable across the temperature range; there's quite a difference between hot and cold. But to answer your actual question: With the same coolant temperature, ideally in the morning with a cooled-down engine and similar outside temperatures, the coolant level should be approximately the same (a difference of <<1cm), if the cooling system is at atmospheric pressure. Therefore, before measuring, it's best to remove the coolant cap to allow for pressure equalization.

Regards,
Sure, here's the translation:

"Guste" is a German word that means "gust" or "gust of wind." It can also be used to describe a sudden burst of something, such as laughter or anger.

Hello!

Sorry to bump this thread again.

My coolant is leaking due to worn seals in the Webasto Thermo Top water pump.
Combustion chamber failure.

I also didn't know that you should bleed the coolant when smoke is forming.

Repair costs: €254. (Includes gasket set + significant labor due to the confined engine compartment of the GIII, AFN model).

Now I am trying to submit a goodwill request (the auxiliary heater is 2 years and 1 month old).

Greetings to the auxiliary heating enthusiasts.

Klaus.

@ Clause
What kind of Thermo Top do you have? It should be a "T" model, right? I definitely don't know how that would be possible with a "C" model.

/Jan

Hello!

@Jan: Yes, it's a Thermo Top T. By the way, the repair went wrong.
"It's still smoking, and coolant is dripping from the casing. It was quite a job to fix."
Convincing the boss – now things get interesting when it comes to the costs.

Greetings,
Klaus.

Hello!

To finish the story: I received a replacement unit from Webasto.

The installation cost an additional 50 euros.

The workshop claimed that my heating system had been installed in an "unconventional" location.
The car is a G III, with the AFN engine (81 kW). My heater is located on the left side, facing forward.
The expansion tank and battery are mounted in the designated locations (not, for example, behind the left bumper, as there's something else there).
The exhaust pipe runs downwards behind the engine block.

Is this installation location really "unconventional"?

Greetings, Klaus.

... the thread title doesn't really fit anymore, I'm sorry.

@ Clause
Okay, I also placed mine exactly in that spot (between the battery and the expansion tank). I wouldn't know where else to put it. As far as I remember, that's also the exact location that Webasto specifies in the installation instructions for the ThermoTop T. On gasoline engines, it goes behind the bumper, but on the G3 TDI, the intercooler is located there. If you put it on the other side behind the bumper, the hoses would be too long.
Furthermore, how could it possibly damage the heating system? If it's not properly vented, it will trigger a safety shut-off before anything breaks.

Greetings,
Jan.

Hello!

The workshop staff never claimed that the installation location would have any disadvantages for...
it's not just about whether it has heating, but that the installation and removal are particularly complex, therefore...
The high price...

Thank you very much for the information!

Greetings, Klaus.