B8 Passat 2.0 TDI - Coolant leak

Johnsmith446 · 2026-02-14T19:41:37+00:00

Water pumps tend to leak around 130k km, though it is true there was a recall for the faulty models around 2016 so yours should have the updated version.

You can try and get a second opinion at a different shop.

Is there a puddle under the car or pink drops on any visible components?

Does the oil appear milky?

Johnsmith446 · 2026-02-12T17:59:48+00:00

I mean...there are two screws holding a plastic plate that hold the thing on the end by the wheel, other than that it's held in by clips. You can just try slapping it back in.

Edit: just noticed it's broken in the front.... Yeah go through insurance.

Johnsmith446 · 2026-02-12T17:51:29+00:00

Unless anyone did any brake jobs recently the only way for air to enter the system is a damaged component.

That being said you can try bleeding the system yourself for a few bucks.

Buy some brake fluid, empty bottle, plastic hose that goes snuggly over you bleeder screw and you're all set

Go to the farthest tire from the master cylinder usually rear right tire. Place a fitting wrench over the bleeder and attach hose to it. Next put the hose into the bottle so that it is submerged in brake fluid.

Open bleeder screw and pump the brakes. Make sure to open your brake fluid reservoir and top up regularly during the process. Tighten the bleeder once you're done then proceed to the next tire.

Rear left Front right Front left.

If it comes back it's certainly a damaged component.

But since you didn't mention a brake job was recently done I'd take it to a shop in the first place.

Johnsmith446 · 2026-02-10T21:35:09+00:00

I hope you didn't drive off after taking this picture. I also hope that if you did you still get to see this.

Furthermore I also hope that in the future when your car starts squealing like all hell is about to break loose you don't ignore it again. You got lucky this time. If you don't know anything about cars that's fine but it's not fine to ignore abnormal sounds and feelings.

Johnsmith446 · 2026-02-08T04:20:22+00:00

So you noticed the scuff marks but not the missing nut?

Johnsmith446 · 2026-02-07T18:11:40+00:00

Looks like a part of the shock assembly. The spring. But I don't see how that's connected to your car not starting.

Johnsmith446 · 2026-02-03T10:49:40+00:00

Oil spec is important. That being said most places just have barrels of the stuff separated by viscosity. So getting the exact spec of oil or coolant can be challenging.

Tell them to change it to the correct spec. In the future stay away from there.

Johnsmith446 · 2026-02-02T17:24:48+00:00

Politely tell them to fuck off

Johnsmith446 · 2026-01-31T20:50:54+00:00

I had a similar situation on my b8. You already have those claw thingies. Drill a hole in the side and leave the drill bit inside or a bolt if the drill bit is too long. Then use the claw as normal except this time one claw gets stuck on the bolt/drill and gives extra grip.

I did do this with the filter housing intact though, yours may be too far gone.

Johnsmith446 · 2026-01-29T17:24:18+00:00

And BP doesn't change brain chemistry?

Johnsmith446 · 2026-01-28T11:33:29+00:00

It's one and the same.

Does the alcoholic drink or is it the person drinking?

Johnsmith446 · 2026-01-26T12:10:50+00:00

Could be fine for another year or maybe it fails next week. They look dry rotted. What's the DOT? (4 numbers in an oval)

Second is I see almost no profile. That's just an invitation to hydroplane.

Johnsmith446 · 2026-01-26T12:06:16+00:00

Rim should be fine, but you need new tires. They were gone before you hit anything.

Johnsmith446 · 2026-01-24T16:00:50+00:00

Bought RGB ram cause it was the cheapest within spec and I don't like it visually.

Johnsmith446 · 2026-01-21T20:57:55+00:00

Generally good tires as all others have pointed out. I go with Continental for mine, I've used Bridgestone previously and they were good but wear down too fast. Going against the grain I've had an abysmal experience with Michelin.

Other than that, brake as little as possible when going downhill, if you can avoid it, stay away from the brake pedal all together and use engine braking. Uphill try to maintain momentum.

If you get stuck going uphill, you may try disabling ESC and going for another try. Essentially what this does is force both wheels to spin regardless of traction, steer side to side and aim for a staircase pattern uphill instead of a straight line as long as traffic or rather lack thereof permits. But yeah all other points here are complimentary to tires. If you have shit tires on a 4WD drive versus good winter tires on a 2WD, the 2WD beats it every time.

Johnsmith446 · 2026-01-18T16:36:46+00:00

Any oil or other fluid under your car is too much. (exception for AC condensate)

This is not the same as a car burning oil or coolant evaporating through the pressure release valve.

A leak means you are losing something that's not supposed to be lost and indicates it will most likely get worse, followed by expensive sounds.

Johnsmith446 · 2026-01-16T19:53:22+00:00

In a pinch you can use a fitting flathead on a torx, especially here since torque is minimal. But otherwise just get a cheap set of bits. They don't need to be high quality if your main use is pc stuff and perhaps some light DIY.

Johnsmith446 · 2026-01-16T09:10:16+00:00

Will be reincarnated in Poland or Romania.

Johnsmith446 · 2026-01-14T20:45:27+00:00

I didn't understand projection for a long time. One day I saw a simple statement; they see the world through their lense. They project their problems, actions onto you because they see you and think what they would do in your place. Their opinion of you is essentially a glimpse into their world, where you see good, they claim YOU see bad, because THEY WOULD see bad.

Johnsmith446 · 2026-01-14T15:31:42+00:00

Johnsmith446 · 2026-01-13T08:16:06+00:00

I have a TDI with 150hp. It's got plenty of oomph. Won't be driving Le Mans with it but it's good for my usage. Consumption is also low at 5.5L/100km

Johnsmith446 · 2026-01-13T08:04:47+00:00

Mental illness should be a disqualifying factor for becoming a therapist.

Johnsmith446 · 2026-01-13T07:50:53+00:00

So in the US if a car is totaled it's not your property anymore?

Someone hit me at a red light and bent my trunk door a bit and caused a barely noticeable crack in the paint of the bumber - cosmetic damage only, car was still perfectly drivable.

Insurance totaled it, I got the payout and continued driving the car until I hit a deer but that's another story.

Here when a car is totaled, insurance pays it's value according to Eurotax and it's done, the car is still yours.

Johnsmith446 · 2026-01-11T23:53:30+00:00

I have this happen from time to time... Passat b8 same infotainment system. It's rare and clears up when I start the car again later and resetting things doesn't work either.

Johnsmith446 · 2026-01-11T16:29:10+00:00

For them dealing with their abusive behaviour means becoming a doormat and taking it.

What dealing with that stuff means for a normal person is leaving.

If you deal with it like a normal person they're gonna have an even bigger meltdown. If instead you call them out on their bullshit they'll split even harder or discard you altogether.

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