Arteon Coolant Loss Signals Potential Head Gasket Issue

I dealt with very similar symptoms on my 2019 VW Passat. After seeing low coolant warnings, I noticed the radiator fluid was disappearing faster than normal. The issue turned out to be a faulty radiator cap that wasnt maintaining proper pressure, combined with some air pockets in the cooling system. A thorough inspection revealed the water pump was also starting to fail, which explained the gradual coolant loss. This was a serious issue that required immediate attention, continuing to drive with low coolant could have led to engine overheating and severe damage. The cooling fan was also affected due to the system not maintaining proper pressure. Key signs that helped diagnose the problem: Coolant level dropping consistently, Small puddles under the car, Occasional steam from engine bay, Cooling system not maintaining pressure I recommend having a specialist thoroughly check the entire cooling system, especially the radiator cap, water pump, and all hose connections. These symptoms often indicate larger underlying issues that basic inspections might miss.

Thanks for sharing your Passat experience. Our situations sound quite similar. My Arteon also had those low coolant warnings and I noticed the coolant reservoir level kept dropping. The cooling system pressure test you mentioned makes sense. I finally found a specialized VW shop that diagnosed and fixed the issue, turned out there was both a coolant leak from a cracked hose and some trapped air pockets in the system that needed proper bleeding. Do you remember roughly what your total repair cost was? Also curious if youve had any cooling system issues since getting it fixed? My repair was just done last month so still keeping an eye on things.

Your experience with the Passat definitely matches what happened with mine. Good to hear you found a shop that properly diagnosed the issues. After my repair was completed, the initial coolant reservoir problems were fully resolved. The mechanic found a loose cable connection that was causing incorrect readings, a relatively simple 95€ fix. The faulty connection was making the system report low coolant levels even when they were normal. The cooling system has been working perfectly since the repair 6 months ago. No more issues with coolant levels dropping or engine overheating warnings. Regular checks show the radiator fluid staying exactly where it should. A proper diagnosis makes all the difference, those air pockets in the cooling system can be tricky to spot if the shop doesnt know what theyre looking for. The water pump and all connections are now functioning as they should. Just keep monitoring your coolant levels for the next few weeks to ensure everything stays stable.

Great news, my cooling system is working perfectly after getting it fixed 3 weeks ago. After reading about your experience, I took my Arteon to a certified VW specialist who did a complete cooling system diagnostic. They found the head gasket was fine, but discovered a hairline crack in the coolant reservoir and a loose water pump connection. The total repair came to 780€, including a new reservoir, water pump seal replacement, and a full system pressure test and flush. The radiator cap was also showing signs of wear, so they replaced that as a precaution. Since the repair, the coolant level has stayed steady and all warning lights are off. The mechanic showed me exactly where the leak was and explained how the cooling system works, which helped me understand what went wrong. Its such a relief to have this fixed properly after my first unsuccessful repair attempt. Will definitely stick with this shop for future maintenance. Thanks again for helping point me in the right direction with the diagnosis.