Not all coolant leaks are the headgasket, folks online tend to read things like this and assume 100% of them have this issue etc. Some have had water pump issues or even the expansion tank itself. Just need to work with the dealer to try to solve it.
Couldn't agree more with this statement , ... Main reasons your coolant level is low are as follows :
- From factory , the manufacturer will fill the cooling system with barely enough coolant ( saves them a lot of scratch! )
- During PDI , Dealers will not top off expansion bay because manufacturer will not cover the cost
- Cost is often transferred to customer during first full maintenance when done at dealer ... not just an oil change
- it is not a sealed system at all times , your expansion bay has a valve « cap » that lets too much pressure out if that is the case to prevent damage to the whole cooling system
- CDVC 3596ccm engine's are known for this , also the expansion bay is the same size as a 4 cyl engine ...
- Topping it off at least once a year is completely NORMAL for any brand not only VW with a tiny expansion reservoir
- Yes , thermostat housing , water pumps and rads are sometimes issues , that's what a 5Y/100k warranty is for
- Head gasket issues are usually accompanied by misfires, MIL , sweet burnt smell , white smoke from exhaust , poor performance , contaminated oil / coolant ... etc .....
I've been in the car business since I was I teenager and I have made it a career for over 25 years now and still going strong ... as a tech , as a service advisor and as a service director for whatever manufacturer you can think of and I still can't believe how many customers get the wrong information online. The best resource is your local dealer service advisor ... and if you don't like what he says you seek out another service advisor's input at the next closest dealer ... and so on.
Now I'm not saying everyone online is wrong but not everybody online knows what they are talking about ... I Guess my point is ... you don't go to webMD when have a lump on your sack ... you have it checked out and you go see a Doctor with some training who knows what he's doing or he refers you to someone who does.
Sorry if its a snoozer , but it's just my two cents
Have fun and drive safely