Coolant Level - New Engine

[mercrocker]

Had a new WBX (DG 1.9) fitted at VW Engine Shop. 

In accordance with their instructions I have been checking the coolant tank (engine bay one) and in 350 miles I've added 25-30cl of coolant.  
 
It has just taken the second half of that dose, the first bit was put in after 150 miles. 
 
No obvious loss is visible anywhere - should I be concerned or is this, as VWEC say, "normal" in the initial running-in period? 
 
Coolant gauge reading normal, heater working normally and self-test mode of warning light on temp gauge is fine, as is the cutting in of the rad fan..... 
 
 

[TONYT25T25]

Are you talking about the header tank or the top up tank when adding Coolant.

[mercrocker]

I've been looking purely at the one in the engine bay with the dalek on top.   I've brimmed it twice, both times at a fast idle and when I can see no more "movement" in the liquid, brimming it, capping off and immediately shutting down the engine.

[TONYT25T25]

Seems odd losing coolant, I would have thought that the top up tank would be the one to top up occasionally are both tanks doing their job.  Is the oil ok ie no contamination from water.  Tanks should operate as follows. Coolant and Heating Header tank top and up tank - VW T25(T3)-Tech (club8090.co.uk)

[mercrocker]

both oil and coolant are clean and correct colour.   I have checked the numberplate tank and it has remained between min and max but I haven't taken that to be the point at which I added coolant - that was purely when seeing a small drop in the engine bay tank. 
 
I wonder if it is still expelling air - the rebuild was only 300 odd miles ago....

[TONYT25T25]

I wonder if it has been properly bled, have you opened the radiator bleed valve to see if any air escapes from there, maybe worth brining up to temperature and checking this area, carefully of course to see it air escapes before any coolant, only going on what I have seen before but them I am not talking about a rebuilt engine just normal tests. And are the tanks operating iaw the wiki link.

[mercrocker]

Thanks for your replies, yes that sounds like a good next move....Also might leave it a bit rather than just top up in minute increments as it will tell me if both tanks are indeed doing their job.

[TONYT25T25]

Good luck, monitor the gauges and levels as you have been, I have only had old cars and have never got out of the habit of constantly watching gauges on the dash for any irregularities.

[mercrocker]

Likewise!   Just that my old cars are quite a bit simpler than T25s and don't represent this kind of investment in new engines.....Problem I think is I am watching the level too closely.  I've spoken again with the VWEC and they are happy that it is just settling in.    

[Ciaraneng]

It sounds like just some air bubbles remaining in the system working their way back to the tank. Bleeding the rad is a good idea as they tend to end up there too. Take a look underneath for signs of leaks as there are a lot of potential leak paths with a rebuilt engine.