I have a 96 Eagle Vision TSI with about 82000 miles that seems to look it coolant every 3 or so months.
For example, 2 days ago, as I exited the Vision, I heard a (for lack of a better term) "pissing" sound. That is when I discovered coolant exiting (at high speed) the overflow tube.
I let the car cool down overnight before I open the radiator cap. That is when I discovered the overflow tank empty.
I refilled the tank, as I have done before, and resume driving.
What I want to know is what in the heck is really wrong with my car?
I had it into service, and after $300 and two day, all that PepBoys can tell me that its not the thermostat nor the water pump. However, they suspect a crack in the engine.
But, I thought that if coolant get into the engine, I would get white smoke out the tail pipe.
I don't get any smoke out of the tail pipe, nor any other warning (except for a slow rise in the temperature gage just before the coolant drains) that anything is wrong.
So, can PepBoys be correct about a crack engine? Is there a (very!) cheep method of pinpointing the problem? Or should I start saving my pennies for another car?