eberhardsteel8
VW T-Cross Coolant Loss Without Visible Leaks
4 comment(s)
eberhardsteel8 (Author)
Just had my latest service at 24188km, so I can provide a fresh update on my experience. After getting it inspected, my issue turned out to be related to a hairline crack in one of the radiator hoses, which was causing a slow coolant leak. It wasnt visible at first because the coolant was evaporating quickly due to engine heat. The repair involved: Pressure testing the cooling system, Replacing the faulty radiator hose, System refill with new coolant, Complete system pressure check Total repair cost came to 210€. The water pump and other components were thoroughly checked and found to be in good condition. Since the fix, coolant levels have remained stable and the check engine light has stayed off.
alfreddavis5
Thanks for the follow-up about your T-Cross repair. Your experience matches what I found with my T-Roc, these small, hard-to-spot cooling system issues can be tricky to diagnose. The hairline crack in your radiator hose is actually a common failure point. After my initial wiring repair, I also had the shop do a complete pressure test to check for similar hidden leaks. Looking back, one key lesson was the importance of checking radiator hoses regularly during maintenance, as they can develop tiny cracks that get worse over time. A tip for other owners: air pockets can form in the cooling system after repairs like these. Make sure the shop properly bleeds the system when refilling the coolant reservoir. This prevents false low coolant readings and potential engine stress. Good to hear your repair cost included a thorough inspection of the water pump and other components. For future reference, my T-Roc needed its coolant replaced at around 30000km as preventive maintenance, which might be worth keeping in mind for your T-Cross.
eberhardsteel8 (Author)
Thanks everyone for the helpful insights. After dealing with this issue, I wanted to share my final thoughts for others who might face similar problems with their T-Cross. The hairline crack in my radiator hose was indeed causing a slow coolant leak that was hard to spot initially. What I learned is that not all coolant leaks leave obvious puddles, sometimes the fluid evaporates quickly due to engine heat. The pressure test was key in finding the exact location of the leak. My total repair at 210€ included: Full cooling system pressure test, New radiator hose, Fresh coolant, System pressure verification The cooling fan and radiator cap were also inspected but found to be working properly. Since the repair, my coolant level has stayed consistent and the check engine light remains off. Most importantly, the shop checked other components like the water pump during the service, confirming the issue was isolated to just the cracked hose. For other T-Cross owners experiencing similar symptoms, I recommend getting a proper pressure test done rather than just topping up coolant and hoping for the best. The small investment in diagnostic testing helped identify the real problem quickly.
Join the discussion now:
alfreddavis5
I had a very similar issue with my 2020 VW T-Roc with the 1.5 TSI engine. As someone with some experience working on VW cooling systems, this sounds familiar. Initially I also noticed the coolant level dropping without visible leaks. After inspection, the workshop found that the cooling fan wiring harness had a damaged connection, which triggered the check engine light and affected the cooling system operation. The repair involved: Diagnostic scan, Testing the cooling fan circuit, Replacing damaged wiring and connectors, Refilling coolant, Final system check Total cost was 95€ including parts and labor. Since fixing the wiring connection, the coolant level has remained stable and the check engine light hasn't returned. Before suggesting more specific solutions, could you share: Which engine variant you have, Whether the coolant loss is gradual or sudden, If you notice any sweet smell from the engine bay, Whether the temperature gauge reads normal These details would help rule out other potential issues like a failing water pump or head gasket problems, which could show similar symptoms but require different repairs.