VW T-Roc Coolant Leak: Common Causes & Solutions

I had a similar issue with my T-Cross 2019 gasoline model last summer. Having some experience with basic car maintenance, I first checked the obvious spots but couldn't pinpoint the leak. The coolant reservoir kept losing fluid, and like your case, small puddles appeared under the car. The coolant leak was concerning enough that I decided to have it checked professionally. The workshop found that a cable connection to the coolant level sensor was damaged, causing incorrect readings and a small leak where the sensor connects to the coolant reservoir. The entire diagnostic and repair process took about 2 hours, costing 95€ including parts and labor. To better assist with your situation, could you provide: Are the puddles colorless or do they have the typical coolant green/pink tint? Does the engine overheating warning ever appear? Have you noticed any sweet smell from the engine bay? When exactly did the water pump was last replaced? These details would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or if it might be something different with the cooling system. Remember to regularly check the radiator cap seal condition, as a faulty seal can also cause similar symptoms.

Thanks for sharing your experience. My last service was just 2 weeks ago at 149800km, where they actually checked the cooling system but found no issues at that time. The puddles definitely have a green tint and there is a sweet smell, especially after parking. No engine overheating warnings so far, but the coolant loss seems to be getting worse. I checked the radiator hoses and they appear intact, but noticed some moisture around the water pump area. Looking at the symptoms you described, my issue seems different since the coolant loss is quite substantial, about 500ml every few days. Would you suggest getting the water pump checked specifically? I suspect there might be air pockets forming in the system due to the leak.

Thanks for those additional details. My T-Cross had a similar sweet smell before the repair, but it sounds like your coolant loss is much more significant than what I experienced with the sensor issue. That moisture around the water pump combined with the substantial coolant loss strongly suggests a failing water pump seal. When my had this exact issue on his T-Cross, the repair shop found that the pump shaft seal was deteriorating, causing coolant to seep out gradually. The radiator fluid loss rate you described (500ml every few days) matches the typical pattern of a failing water pump. The sweet smell and green-tinted puddles are classic signs too. Air pockets in the cooling system are indeed a concern, as they can form when coolant levels drop due to these leaks. Before heading to the shop, double check the radiator cap is properly tightened and inspect all radiator hoses one more time, but from your description, the water pump is likely the culprit. The repair typically involves: Replacing the water pump assembly, Flushing the cooling system, Filling with fresh coolant, Bleeding air pockets from the system For reference, when my friends car needed this repair, it cost around 450€ including parts and labor, taking about 4-5 hours to complete. Would strongly recommend getting this checked soon, as continuing to drive with a failing water pump can lead to more serious engine damage.

The green tint and sweet smell are definitely concerning, and from what you described, it does sound more serious than your sensor issue. Makes sense about the water pump, I was initially hoping it was just loose radiator hoses or a bad radiator cap since those are cheaper fixes. Given the amount of coolant loss (500ml every few days), I better get this checked out soon. The moisture around the water pump area seems to be the smoking gun here. The repair cost you mentioned (450€) is higher than I hoped, but still better than risking engine damage. Thanks for pointing out the connection between the coolant leak and potential air pockets in the system. I will call the workshop tomorrow to have them specifically inspect the water pump. The fact that this wasn't caught during my service two weeks ago is a bit frustrating, but maybe the leak got worse since then. I appreciate you breaking down both the symptoms and repair process. It helps knowing what to expect and understanding why simple solutions like checking radiator hoses wont fix this particular issue.