Just had this come on for the first time ever but haven't had time to check the level yet (arrived home late and it was too dark), I'm assuming that since the coolant hasn't been changed in a long time it's just running a bit low and if that's the case does anyone know if there's any specific coolant I should use to top it up with? Am I right in thinking it should be just over the minimum level when cold as it will expand when heated?

 

It's of course possible there's a sensor problem but I'm hoping I don't need to get the coolant tank replaced (fingers crossed). I don't think there's a bigger problem as the needle goes into the middle after a while like normal and doesn't overheat or anything.

The current VW fluid is G13+ it's purple in colour, ECP sell it in pre-mixed 1 litre bottles or 5L if you want to totally replace the coolant. The correct level is between the MIN & MAX lines. The sensor fingers in the expansion bottle do tend to get covered in crap and give off false warnings if the levels are OK, you can clean them but for the price of a new bottle it's probably quicker to just replace it. 

Thanks Nige - this the one? Can't find one with + sign...

 

https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-accessories/engine-oils-and-car-fluids/antifreeze-and-screenwash/red-antifreeze/?523770522&&cc5_866

Edited 5 October, 20178 yr by michaeldc

Yeah that's the correct stuff, it is backwards compatable with the older Pink G12 antifreeze

Oh dear, I had a 2 mile round trip to make today so chanced it and sadly it did start to overheat - hit 110 by the time I got home. Think I'm giving up on this one, it's been a dream to drive the last year but I promised I wasn't spending anymore money on it. I'm not technically minded and I don't have the time so it's the scrap heap for this luxury I don't need before it's MOT runs out at the end of the month!

Did you refit the expansion bottle lid fully ? as if not the system wouldn't of pressurised so causing the overheat