We have an on going problem with a 96 Passat with only 53000 miles on it. It works fine for a while but gradually the coolant check light comes on more and more often. When we check the coolant is then empty. It does not come out the bottom or anywhere else we can see. Appartently it is getting into the oil some how because the engine blew and we had it and the water pump and several other parts replaced and now it is starting to do the same thing again. Does anybody have a clue what could be causing this problem?

Sheri, November 2009

A common cause of this is the oil cooler, which is the device onto which the oil filter is screwed. This device is a heat exchanger so that the water cools the (hotter) oil. It is not uncommon for there to be a failure within the oil cooler which allows the oil and water to mix. Another possibility is a failed head gasket, but the oil cooler is more likely. Any good VW garage or specialist will know about this. HTH

Lee, January 2010