1.6 and 2.0 TDI: the EGR cooler leaks internally and coolant disappears without a trace
Typically above 100,000 km. It does not show up on every car.
critical
severity
above 100,000 km
mileage
600–1,500 EUR
repair cost
2 sources next to the write-up.
The fault
How you spot it
The EGR cooler cools the recirculated exhaust gas before it enters the intake again, and coolant flows through it while it does so. The temperature difference between the two sides is large, so the wall can crack or the gasket can let through, and then the coolant reaches the exhaust or the intake side. This leaves no puddle under the car and the place of the leak is not visible from outside: the coolant evaporates and the level drops slowly, over weeks. The accompanying signs are whitish smoke, a rising coolant temperature, raised pressure in the cooling system and a sweetish smell. If it goes on for months the cylinder head can be damaged too, because the cooling gradually gets worse. On the EA189 engines the fault code P2425 usually comes with it. The problem is reported above 100,000 km, and replacing the cooler costs 600 to 1,500 euro.
Which model
Who it affects
The card opens the generation, the engine or the transmission.
Engines and transmissions
Engine
CAHA
Engine
CBBB
Engine
CFFB
Engine
CLHA
Engine
CMGB
Engine
CNHA
Engine
CRBC
Engine
CRKB
Engine
CRLB
Engine
CUNA
Engine
CUPA
Engine
CUUA
Engine
CUWA
Engine
CXMA
Engine
DCYA
Engine
DEUA
Engine
DEUC
Engine
DEZB
Engine
DEZE
Engine
DFBA
Engine
DGTE
Engine
DSUD
Engine
DTPA
Engine
DTRB
Engine
DTUA
Checklist
1.6 and 2.0 TDI: the EGR cooler leaks internally and coolant disappears without a trace
What you would check for this fault. Take it to the car.
Before you buy
Checklist
What you tick stays on this device only.
Sources
How we know
Information, not an expert opinion
We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.
- A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
- A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
- You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.

