SILICA BAG Warning & Removal for VW, AUDI, SEAT & SKODA Owners

Attention VW, SEAT, SKODA & AUDI (and maybe others) owners. In this video I will be showing you how to remove the SILICA bag from your cars expansion bottle. It becomes a problem in time when the bag inevitably splits, contaminates the cooling system and causes the heater matrix to block up. Unfortunately this has been the case for many owners already! These costly repairs can be easily avoided and in this video I will show you how to prevent it happening to you. After all, prevention is better than cure. Do some research about the subject and decide for yourself whether it’s worth the risk.
If you find this video useful, please don't forget to like and subscribe for more videos :)
Affiliate links:
Hose clamp pliers: amzn.to/3t2JFlH
Coolant Bottle: ebay.us/FKybo7
Coolant Bottle replacement: amzn.to/40sSEZH
Forceps: amzn.to/47kBi3v
Turkey Baster: amzn.to/3tYLOil
Other videos that may be of interest:
VW Golf MK 7 Boot Leak FIX, 4 common leaks!
• VW Golf MK 7 Boot Leak...
Disclaimer: Please carry out this job at your own risk. I don't accept any responsibility for damage or injury caused by following this video. Always wear the correct PPE where required.

[@ChrisNaish-n6t]

Very very informative. I'm a Motor Engineer, semi retired, and never knew about this until an old customer has rung me up with a blocked matrix, and is the garage she's gone to, miles away from me, has described this scenario! I'd never have believed VW group would do something like this!! Well done for this video!!

[@Jordan-hm7qp]

Thanks for a good video explaining. I myself am a technician for VW. Strongly advise for anyone to try and get these replaced. I tend to remove them when I see one that’s not a double skinned type and inform the customer that it has been removed. If it is a double skinned layer I advise the customer to have the coolant bottle replaced. Prevention definitely better than the cure you got that right! Flushing them and replacing the heater matrix is a pain and can save you so much money by getting this done. They tend to be mainly on the diesels but you can find some of the MK7 GTI’s as well as the R's have them too. Hope this helps anyone. 👍🏾

[@mrsandovalh]

Present on my 2017 Gti

[@paulkillick3419]

Hi, just checked my 2019 vw golf 1.5 tsi and there is no Mit Silikat written on the expansion bottle only G13. The bottle is a double skinned one. I lit the bottle up with a bright torch and can't see a bag.

[@cupcakebill911]

​@@paulkillick3419I'd say you're probably ok, but if you want to make sure you could probably take the whole bottle off after emptying and give it a shake, then you'll know for certain.

[@davidriley9194]

I have learned about it today from you!! What Volkswagen did is they think it’s a good idea to put a stupid silica bag inside the expansion tank is not idea BIG TIME just to make a longer lifespan of the cooling system!!!🙄🙄 Another thing you can do if the bag is not inside the tank, instead of just pull the bag out and risk of splitting the bag and clog the system up, remove most of the coolant out, remove the hoses and take the tank out, and then remove the bag! Put it back together, job done! That way you won’t risk of split it by pull out while it still connected! Hope this helps!😊

[@neolerades2987]

The silica gel bag is only there for the G13 liquid to improve some of its negative properties. The G13 was (I think in 2018) replaced by the more modern G12 EVO - and it is generally recommended to get rid of the old G13 as quickly as possible as it causes degradation of some components, then flush the system with clean water and add G12 EVO fluid. The tanks for the G12 EVO no longer contain a bag, I have a Škoda TSI 2019 and I already have a G12 EVO without a bag.

[@IvanToman]

I have G12 (without bag). Is that OK (vs G12 EVO)? It is 2.0 TDI from 2015.

[@robbeard6929]

My 2017 GTI Clubsport was registered March '17, has bag and G13.

[@stanleyjaasink8222]

more safety is G12++

[@DavidSmith-jb6wg]

Great video pity I didn't know this , system flushed out twice and now getting timing belt and water pump done and discovered matrix has to be replaced and a 7 hrs flush out .expensive job ..

[@gt3911]

@stanleyjaasink8222 My 2.0 TDI uses GG40, how does that compare with G12++

[@StreakyP]

quick tip on removing hoses, push them off with a screwdriver on the end rather than pulling them off.... pushing makes them balloon & expand to come off easily... pulling them makes them contract & hold on tighter.

[@aluminumfalcon552]

Most of the time the difficulty comes because the hose has adhered to the nipple, if you give it a twist to break that adhesion, it will slide off fairly easily. There are hose pliers that do what you described much more safely and effectively, you stick them right at the end of the hose and squeeze and it forces the two forks away from each other. Another handy tool are the small o-ring spoons that are curved, you can reach them in between the hose and nipple and break the seal without over stretching or poking a hole in the hose.

[@desertstar223]

You're quite right. Use a screwdriver. It will aerate the hose with a nice hole. Get the clip off by pinching two 'prongs' together with a big pair of pliers or a vice grip. Or just buy the tool that is designed to remove the clip.

[@josepeixoto3384]

you are absolutely right, most people don't know that; however, it is not always easy to pry and push it out,so what we do is the usual *twist and pull*

[@1marcelfilms]

It can help if you push the hose on further first too. And a little silicone grease when reassembling. And a layer of electrical tape where the clamp sits to stop the clamp from digging into the rubber

[@desertstar223]

@@1marcelfilms Great! Introduce silicone grease in your car's cooling system. It will make your engine run smoother.

[@paulestherby9351]

Absolutely right with this video. I have a vw golf tdi and this problem happened to mine. Had to have a new heater matrix. You will know when the matrix is blocked as the heater will just blow cold. The garage actually showed me the coolant they fushed out and it had loads of the little silica beads in it. The bill came to 375 quid.

[@capnskiddies]

I know it's cold comfort, but you did alright there.

[@fatherglyn]

Wish I had seen this 2 years ago. I had a Seat Leon, just a few years old at the time, silica bag split and the repair bill was almost £1000. If you have a VW group car with ‘MitSilikat’ on the expansion bottle change it as soon as possible. Top video thank you.

[@scott4207]

As a technician of VW for over 14 years - the reason these bags split is because casting sand (from when the engine block is formed and casted) was never fully cleaned out upon assembly, so you had this sand travelling around the cooling system, effectively shot blasting that bag to pieces and eventually splitting it. The proof? Take your blocked heat exchanger (as this is the first component to usually fail, passenger side only gets warm air coming through and drivers side is cold), air blow that blocked heat exchanger out and you will get sand, along with silicon coming out.

[@rubinreiter6351]

Better buy a real car not VW and it's clones.

[@scott4207]

@@rubinreiter6351 and what would you suggestion be exactly? Don’t get me wrong, I have to work on these pieces of shit, I think most VW’s 2013> aren’t very good, and even worse since Golf 8 etc come out. But that’s just my opinion. I’m curious to hear yours.

[@scott4207]

@MotorHeartAT to be honest, the biggest problems you’ll have with that Golf 8 will be software issues, namely the infotainment/SOS system. I think they aren’t very user friendly, with everything being touch sensitive buttons, clinatronics etc. engine wish they are fine, not a great deal different to the mk7/7.5. They drive nice, but they have their issues.

[@scott4207]

@MotorHeartAT 😂 yeah sounds about right. Honestly I work for a main dealer, I can guarentee you we will always have a few golf 8’s in daily for some software adjustments, or parts replacing like their steering wheels. If it isn’t that, then it’s water ingress on Tiguan’s or something similar. The VW’s look great, but their built quality is shocking as of the last few years

[@Edua1111]

@@rubinreiter6351 Always amazes me why can VW get away with dumb decisions - people still buy them... While they aren't have such heart melting designs, like say Italians usually have... So what is actually selling VW cars? Because reliability isn't for sure.

[@AndrewBarnett-f8c]

Many thanks for this very timely and extremely helpful video. Just replaced the expansion bottle on my 2016 Skoda Superb this evening - very straightforward.

[@ferrumignis]

Thanks for the video! This popped up in my recommended so just checked my 2017 Polo Gti and found one of these stupid time bombs. Managed to remove it with a pair of long nosed pliers fairly easily.

[@phils3]

This happened to my Leon Tdi. First symptom was unexplained coolant loss. A garage I tried couldn't replicate the problem on the ramps, because it was happening during DPF regen, when the coolant would get too hot because it couldn't circulate properly due to a blocked heater matrix, and would blow out of the pressure release on the expansion tank. Took ages to find out about this issue on the net. When I thought I had a leak, made the mistake of putting K Seal in (DO NOT do this) which finally fully blocked the matrix. Much of the passenger side of the dash has to come out to change the matrix, which was a bit of a pain, and it all needed a really good flush to get the silicon and K Seal out. If it hasn't happened on your TDI, get rid of the bag. If it has, good luck. Thanks for the video, good explanation, I hope people see it.

[@Joe-ud2hb]

What year is your Leon?

[@phils3]

@@Joe-ud2hb It's a 2014 2.0 FR 184 with just over 150k miles. I'd replaced the coolant reservoir before I diagnosed the problem, as I could see coolant around it, but couldn't figure out where it was coming from at first. I nearly replaced all the pipes as I thought a pipe might be leaking under pressure.

[@Joe-ud2hb]

@@phils3 tks very much, my son has a 2015 tdi golf, I'll take a look...

[@phils3]

@@Joe-ud2hb you're welcome, good luck

[@peetsnort]

My wife's Leon is losing coolant

[@ruinedheels]

Our 2015 Passat suffered this failure. New heater matrix 6 coolant flushes and £1500 later via Vw it’s happy again. New coolant bottle £27 car was three years old on 90k when it failed.

[@ALGfunk]

Vw should do it free

[@MaurizioCarrar]

on my Volkswagen Polo 2016 I removed the sachet without breaking the tank which was the same as the one in the video. To do the job you need to remove the tank and work comfortably. Greetings from Italy

[@scotspie501douglas7]

wow if you owned on of these cars how would you without guys like you

[@schizzlschnitzl]

Thank you for this video! I removed the cooling inside the expansion tank, then i removed the expansion tank and now with the tank outside of the car i removed the silica bag. After that i put everything back together and now i keep the silica bag in the attic, far away from the car. ;)

[@schizzlschnitzl]

replying to my own comment: today i got the G13 cooling changed to G12Evo in a local garage. They only charged 194 euro including parts, labor, tax and flushing with water in between.

[@Rayfaedundee]

The Silica bag is normally located at the small area to the top of the bottle in a small chamber. I remove loads of these when I’m servicing VW, Seat, Audi, Skoda models. It is a silly idea to put a plastic teabag of silica gel beads into a hot coolant system, that if the coolant does get too hot can make the plastic bag burst open and all the beads eventually block up the heater matrix, then you end up with no heat inside the vehicle because the coolant can’t circulate around the heater. Big expensive job just for a small bag of un-necessary silica beads.

[@Felix2417425]

You end up with no heating in the vehicle, but does the cooling of engine works normal or it also may clog up the radiator and cause engine overheat? That's far bigger concern than having no heating.

[@Rayfaedundee]

@@Felix2417425your heater matrix has very fine coolant core and the silica beads clog up this fine core and that’s why you end up with no heating, the main radiator has bigger core for the water system so it has less chance of being clogged by the silica beads.

[@marcus.H]

Do you think the engineers did this on purpose?

[@Rayfaedundee]

@@marcus.H definitely.

[@marcus.H]

@@Rayfaedundee VW - cheating to make more money 💰💰💰 I can't imagine such a world

[@steveg4iwr]

No Turkey Bastet here we use a spoon lol. Great video thanks I will check my wife’s polo.

[@MagnetbergOfficial]

Another user under a different Video/ Short wrote: "Um kurz klarzustellen wenn dieser Silikatbeutel entfernt wird muss auf g12evo umgestellt werden es wird quasi im Werk Silikatfreier Kühlerfrostschutz verwendet weil es vermutlich billiger ist wenn alle Autos dasselbe bekommen und man bei den Motoren die Silikat benötigen einfach diese Beutel mit in den Ausgleichsbehälter wirft.... Ist im ersten Moment eine gute Idee im zweiten Moment kann dieser Beutel aufplatzen und dann verteilt sich das Silikat im System und verstopft den Wärmetauscher von der heizung und den kühler also besser raus tun und Frostschutz wechseln zu g12 Evo."

[@bs7157]

thanks for this. i have a 17 plate polo TSi. 1.2 mine doesn't seem to have this . but i will double check now i have seen the writing on yours. mine is a petrol. i see yours was a diesel. 👍

[@ij6708]

Caught a glimpse of this baggie while topping up coolant on my 2015 A3 2.0 Q. They lodged it behind a smaller inner wall within the coolant reservoir. With some needle nose pliers and a lot of patience and swearing (big hands not helping) managed to get the sucker out without removing the reservoir

[@stco2426]

I know someone who had this issue and it was a £700 repair on a Golf TD. 'Somone' deemed this bag necessary but I wonder how long it functions for until saturated with free water? I think I'd rather replace the coolant a bit early than leave the bag in there indefinitely. I've been meaning to take a look in mine to see if the bag is there. Thanks for showing how easy this is to sort. Quick update: couldn't find the bag in my expansion tank, though the writing says 'mit'. To double check I removed the tank as described here and shone very bright light through as this should show in shadow and thankfully no bag. Agree with the comments on here about pushing rather than pulling hoses and I also suggest using a pick tool to ease the hose away if it's tight on the fitting.

[@davetarrant1672]

Great thanks for your post an easy fix got mine off Ebay £16 arrived pretty quick. Had my timing chain/water pump replaced earlier watched a vid on that, yours was fllaged on the right side phew nice to know I wont have to worry about that one

[@henryjohntobin1]

I'm literally going to check my Seat Ibiza for this now! Thanks mate 👍

[@joachimzegke9301]

we have 2 Golf 6, and I will check this today....many thanks from Germany, JO...😇

[@jonnygti]

My work mates 2014 Skoda VRS had this exact problem, one day the heater stopped blowing warm air, that was the start of the problems. He’s since changed the expansion bottle over, like in this video, and had the cooling system flushed through

[@butlerhatler2444]

Thank you for the video and the tip. It's unbelievable what there isn't. You should generally replace the G13 with G12evo, as G13 is responsible for clogging the heat exchanger. G13 is also very aggressive towards coated surfaces. Of course, VW made the switch from G13 to G12evo quietly, not that they had to install something new as a gesture of goodwill to the customer ;-)

[@ALGfunk]

It's should be classified as a recall and do it for free

[@robbeard6929]

More chance of platting fog from VW.

[@obiitom]

@@ALGfunk it's only a theory, it's never actually been successfully diagnosed that the silica definitely caused the problem of blocking the matrix, there were theories it may also be casting sand left over from manufacturing of the engine blocking ducts, plus it was mainly occurring well into the life of the affected vehicles there was not enough traction to pressure a recall especially as having a warm car isn't a safety or regulation concern. i didn't take any chances, i took the bag from wife's 2017 Leon TDI FR184 which she bought in 2019 as soon as i read about the issue on the Seat forums just in case, while the expansion bottle looked the same as the one in this Golf you could easily pull it out from the top, short time later we had the cam-belt and water pump done with new coolant.

[@Bornchiller123]

Silica mess in cooling system can be cleaned by flushing the coolant system with citric acid. Saves lots of money and worked for me on 2 cars with clocked up heater matrix.

[@swblade6190]

My case is still with the ombudsman over this one. The good thing is that it got me looking into car reliability. VW / VAG are actually dismal behind the facade / veneer. Just buy Japanese second hand from 10-15 years ago. Petrol (no EGR / DPF bollocks) - chain belt - manual - non-turbo - Toyota/Honda

[@markfarrier1711]

Bought my golf yesterday 2014 gtd and yeah i have this tank new 1 ordered

[@marttijee]

From what I have read the reason for the silica bag is to stop the coolant causing corrosion on the aluminium cylinder head. Nothing to do with prolonging the life of the coolant.

[@Benzknees]

It seems to be both, as there are silicates in the coolant, to protect the aluminium components, but these get used up if the engine is subject to heat (so degrades the coolant). Then the silicate is taken from the permeable bag to compensate.

[@capnskiddies]

Could we not just change the coolant earlier. I know it's a strange and radical idea, but it's better than putting a teabag in the coolant

[@Tteeeurz5ez]

But then again its coolant system gets rusted faster then any other car ive ever seen

[@stanleyjaasink8222]

Bag out and inside G12++, No G12Evo.

[@D5DRIFT]

What a great video. Well done for letting people know. 👍

[@htimsid]

Good advice! And reassuring to see that other people are familiar with the acronym EJIB: Every Job Involves Blood.

[@adivarso8175]

I love my old Skoda Tdi saved a fortune by keeping it. 🤓

[@garymcgregor7048]

I'll be checking mine in the morning. Thankyou

[@marcus.H]

Imagine literally building a car deliberately to need an expensive repair after the warranty ends 😮 if I were sceptical I'd almost think these engineers knew exactly what they were doing But Volkswagen would never cheat 😂

[@philtucker1224]

“I think most people have a turkey baister” (like on “master chef” ??) 🤣😂🤣😂

[@richardsnowball4078]

Wish I had seen your video 12 months ago. Cost me a heater matrix replacement and a new water pump. Seat Leon 2013 2.0 TDI SE.

[@peetsnort]

My wife has a 2litr Leon and it's losing water. No idea. Neither do the mechanic

[@richardsnowball4078]

Try another mechanic. We have a couple of VW / skoda / seat specialists within 15 miles of us. Unless you live right out in the sticks you should have the same. @@peetsnort

[@JMc.D]

This just happened to me. Booked in this week to get it sorted.

[@sashoxxx]

Geniuses from VW. Pure geniuses!!

[@MrDevelishBoy]

Don’t you think that there is reason why it’s there?! 🤦‍♂️

[@sashoxxx]

Yes, of course there is. So that you can have your entire cooling system destroyed in just a few years and to have you spend 2-4 grand in repairs over nothing. As I said. Geniuses.

[@johnseagram1600]

Good video.. Learned something new. Just checked my 2016 Skoda Rapid Spaceback... Doesn't say "mit silica" on the tank but there was a bag of silica in it.

[@TurnersWorkshop97]

That’s interesting, possibly the expansion tank has been changed?

[@YCymro69]

Really useful video, and I’ll go and check mine straight away. Liked and subscribed. I especially loved “everyone has a turkey baster” - I feel like I’m missing out there. And fair play for carrying on and not mentioning the cut on your finger 😅

[@TurnersWorkshop97]

Haha thank you! You should definitely invest in a turkey baster, you won’t be disappointed 🤪

[@YCymro69]

@@TurnersWorkshop97 I checked and there is a silica bag in mine. Will try and gently remove it with a tweezers when it stops raining, and if it puts up a fight I’ll remove the bottle and use more force knowing it won’t contaminate the waterways. Thanks again.

[@eaglestrikes1]

Great video and clear to follow thank you for sharing the video

[@ivanregvat448]

to what years manufactured did they put those silica bags? (from which year - to which year?) Thnx!

[@timothylanders3189]

No one knows?

[@wayne1243]

Did mine a few months ago but definitely worth doing 👊👊

[@nuzzy1b]

Had I knew about this would have saved me thousands, had 2 water pumps changed, heater matrix, aux pump coolant, still not 100%. I’m never buying a vag car again. So please guys remove this tea bag as the mechanic called it asap.

[@derekcottiss9724]

The other problem is the casting sand left in the engine block of many VAG products (known by VW) i think the silica bag is used as an excuse

[@elhomer12]

Yeah I think the sand blocked my heater matrix as I'd previously removed the silica bag intact, yet it still blocked up to the point I had literally no heat what so ever

[@craigriggers]

Interesting, not heard of this one before I have a 2012 mk2 Leon 1.6 tdi so will have to check mine to see if this is the case on my expansion tank!

[@simongibbs2986]

Very clear and concise. Thanks

[@enkay5352]

Checked my VW Scirocco 1.4tsi 2010, it already has it without the silica and with G12 👌but thx for the info.

[@garymills7494]

My colleagues 2019 Passat diesel had this silica bag burst within the expansion tank and blocked up the heater matrix. VW dealers quoted £2k to repair the car. A local independent garage completed the work for £650. . Shortly followed by the radio failing. Another £2k quote from the VW dealers. Again, a local independent auto electrician completed the repair work for £800. . After covering just 15,000 miles, the front brake pads and discs needed replacing. . Not reliable.

[@charlie-jf4uc]

if you have a car that's part of the Volkswagen Audi group (VAG), if you send your car in for a service with a main dealer, they WILL NOT tell you about this bottle, try an independent garage and ask them to check for the silica bag bottle, many independent garages will do a better and cheaper job than the main dealers. i work in an nonindependent garage the specialized in the VAG group.

[@MrStevecrasher]

VAG stands for Volkswagen AktienGesellscahft

[@DaveInBridport]

reminds me of the two sponges that Ford stuff into the void behind the front wings on mk8 Transits. Deadens sound but a dead cert rust accelerator

[@fuselpeter5393]

Thank you for this video as I have a '16 Skoda Superb. :)

[@Scytherfreak]

This bag has caused me no end of problems. I own a Seat Leon FR 2016. This bag got stuck in the heating matrix. The heating matrix then needed replacing. When the heating matrix(under stereo unit) got replaced, the seal wasnt fitted correctly and over time flooded the passenger carpet with coolant.

[@bobmitchell8012]

It was probably put there ON PURPOSE, What a great money maker that would be for the Car Companies when the Warranty runs out !!

[@MrSawlong]

what am i doing here? i dont even own a car of the VW-AG... whatever, cool video mate :-D

[@JohnSmith-ef8nr]

The other problem this causes is too much silicon in the coolant, it builds up and breaks off in large pieces and blocks the heater matrix causing the the coolest to be ejected out the overflow. Is best just to fit a new matrix as its cheap and easy to replace. Attempting to flush it will cause more issues. And change the tank for the new one without the silicone bag.

[@pincermovement72]

My lad had a fault on his 2018 golf gti , took it to a vw specialist, when we picked it up he said “I’ve took out the silica bag “. When he explained it does sound a stupid idea.

[@MrSonicAdvance]

Swap the G13 coolant for G12evo before too long too.

[@valentinchrist754]

It happened on my 2018 Octavia TSI 245, heater clogged. I replaced it, flushed the cooling system with water, removed the silikat bag and filled up with g12evo.

[@matrix54190]

Thanks a lot for this information👍👍. Greetings from👋🥖🇫🇷

[@mbd6054]

Great information. Thank you very much.

[@MrStevecrasher]

We work on these day in day out and we have NEVER seen either the bag or plastic tube version burst. In fact they are actually quite difficult to burst forcibly.

[@JLo1960]

My 14 plate Golf burst the silica bag last year. VW dealer wanted £780 to flush the system and replace the tank. My local mechanic did it for £90. Caught it before it affected the heater matrix.

[@JLo1960]

My 14 plate Golf burst the silica bag last year. VW dealer wanted £780 to flush the system and replace the tank. My local mechanic did it for £90. Caught it before it affected the heater matrix.

[@MrStevecrasher]

@@JLo1960 Do you have a picture of the “burst” bag or are just trusting what you were told?

[@ehsnils]

@@MrStevecrasher If you look at all the other posts you'll see that this is an issue. Also there should never be a need for this kind of foreign object in the coolant system to start with.

[@MrStevecrasher]

@@ehsnils It was a forced measure to use a less poisonous substance than ethylene glycol

[@MagnetbergOfficial]

"Prevention is better than cure" and I thought the british saying for that was better safe than sorry 😅

[@omardude39]

Why is it that so many manufacturers decided to become "too clever" over the last 20 years? A water-cooled engine never needed a bag of desiccant in it for almost 100 years, but here we are with VAG engineers deciding it's what everyone needs for their cooling system, only for - surprise-surprise! - it to fail in an unexpected way and wreak havoc on both the cooling system, cab heating and maintenance and repair reliability of the vehicles!

[@blxtothis]

Ahhhhh, VAG, it must be Silicagate Season now! BTW, I don’t know anybody who has a Turkey Baster these days, use a Table Spoon mate!

[@ofeliawotsits6080]

more useful would to know what models and years have this bag in the first place!

[@pkf4124]

Well 3 of my VW’s are too old for this but one is not, so as soon as it gets back from its outing I am going to check it. It’s filled with the newer coolant any way after its belt change a few months back. So doesn’t really need the silica now.

[@ferenczsinko6770]

Used G12+ for the last 18 years in my VW 1.9 tdi and wont be switching now. Its worked fine for almost 2 decades for me. Next suggestion will be to remove my fuel tank as they too have a silica bag. It aint broke so not going to fix. If I was really "an.." at most I would drain the expansion tank to see if there is one in there and see if there is any sign of it being split.

[@stanleyjaasink8222]

problem is only with G13

[@TheMingilator]

aaah yes silica, for removing moisture from the cooling system.... smart!

[@swblade6190]

@@TheMcspreaderplanned obselescence, the pricks. Well its backfired because for the sake of this nonsense they've lost customers for life. VW / VAG and the dealerships are twats

[@eyybabyj1397]

My advice to everyone would be to check your silica bag and either throw it or put it back in and check it for damage every few months. Because the bag will split apart slowly not just burst. I took mine out because my friends VW was hit with a £1600 repair bill after his bag split and worse most garages refused to touch it and said he had to take it to VW themselves

[@harrygilbert3738]

Don’t put it back. Remove the bag and have the coolant changed every 2-3 years. If the bag breaks it’s a BALL ACHE to fix, and will cost you a new heater matrix and a load of grief (loads of trim off and heater matrix out) trust me, my mates bag split in his gold and it was a ball ache.

[@eyybabyj1397]

@@harrygilbert3738 I binned that teabag of doom

[@yodad4776]

I'm a mechanic and I've never heard of this but it don't surprise me .all the more reason to avoid shitboxes but on a serious note it explains why we get Audi's etc where they just cook themselves ..had a a3 the other day that we couldn't fault it but it was running out of coolant and getting hot ..I'd say the cooling channels in the radiator were clogged ....to late motors cooked

[@Wicked166]

Coolant Expansion Tank with Silicate Repository The coolant expansion tank contains a silicate repository. Silicate is used to protect the aluminum components in the coolant system from corrosion. There are silicates in the G13 coolant, but they are used up over time if the engine is subject to high thermal loads. To compensate for the silicate consumption, silicate is taken from the repository and added to the coolant. The silicate repository provides additional protection against corrosion for the aluminum components in the coolant system over the entire lifespan of the engine.

[@macdaniel6029]

"The silicate repository provides additional protection against corrosion for the aluminum components in the coolant system over the entire lifespan of the engine." "Lifetime filling" Just like the transmission and everything else... After you reach 100.000km just throw the car away and buy a new one.

[@khalidacosta7133]

Most standard coolant does not contain silica... but rather than engineer a new coolant, they instead put the bag of silica into it. Personally I would replace the silica bag, with another one, it is there for a reason. But I guess it just makes it another item to replace every X amount of years.

[@Buciasda33]

Having silica gel in coolant is pointless and stupid to say the least. I would have understood if you had replaceable bags of silica gel inside the oil or brake fluid.

[@donaldross4217]

My work mate had one of these burst and Messed up and boiled his engine and needed a new top end £2500 bill

[@MrZimmaframe]

This isn't the only think to change of a VW before it is too late.. Vw use a waterpump that has a sheath that goes over the waterpump fins, which is controlled electronically. The sheath can jam when over the pump fins causing the reduction, or completely stop the flow of coolant around the system, causing the engine to over heat. Quite a lot of waterpump kits now come without the electronically controlled sheath to prevent this, I would recommend doing so. I know it was an issue on the 2.0tdi engines but unsure about the other engines. Someone may know more about it than me, who could say which.

[@TurnersWorkshop97]

This is interesting thanks for sharing. I will do some research 👍🏼😊

[@leop3009]

Thanks for the tip 🙂

[@Danko_013]

On ea888 gen3 i was able to take it out

[@fabiomorassi9974]

Thank you for thuis tip.

[@rogeronslow1498]

He says "my cars getting on a bit, it's a 2015 model". 😂😂Mine's a 2002 model and still going strong.

[@dermaulwurf5540]

I have read, that VW changed to another type of cooling whater. If the garage need to fill up the whater to nomal level, they use the new one. It doen't matter if you have the silica bag inside or not.

[@joshpetit44]

Water*

[@dermaulwurf5540]

@@joshpetit44 You found a mistake, please take it.

[@Unexpectedperspectivesnow]

I removed my bag today from my Audi S1 from 2014/2015 😊 I made a video on it that's uploaded on my channel. 😊

[@dariuseviltwin]

Have done 3 in the workshop with blocked heaters. Advisory on any that come in for servicing to remove the bag and do an antifreeze drain, flush and refill. A super highly water absorbing substance....in a cooling system. Wtf were they thinking!? They would've been better used in the shitty leaking rear tail lights lol.

[@sparky6612]

If removing silica bag etc change coolant to latest coolant as recommended by VW : G12 Evo is now required in all VW Group vehicles This is the most up to date, latest version of coolant from VW Group. G12 EVO is the latest correct coolant and replaces G12, G12+ & G13, it may have been made after your car was built (this will be the reason it may not appear in your handbook/manual, or on the coolant cap itself) • Direct use: It is ready to use, it is not necessary to mix or dilute it. • Original G12EVO Ready Mix coolant is specially designed for the engines of the VW Group’s brands. • G12EVO replaces it's predecessor G13 and G12 ++. • G12EVO can be mixed with its predecessor products like the G12 Plus Plus, G12 +, G11 • Can also be used in vehicles where G12/G13 is required, such as Porsche.

[@Truth-And-Freedom]

What a total consumer you are !! 🤣👍🤡

[@sparky6612]

@@Truth-And-Freedom Consumer? I work within VW/Audi. There is a reason the coolant needs to be upgraded when the silica bag is removed.

[@Truth-And-Freedom]

@@sparky6612 yeah sure mate 🤣👍 There a massive difference between VW expensive coolant and other cheaper coolants that are exactly the same 🤣👍🤡

[@Truth-And-Freedom]

@@sparky6612 also - ever herd of planned obsolescence? They put that bag in the coolant on purpose you naive fool ...... "I just change it like a good consumer" 🤣👍🤡

[@piotrross1027]

Thank U for great info :-)))

[@zapa1pnt]

Good information. However, it is inadvisable to try to remove the silica bag, from the bottle, while it is in the vehicle. You have no way of knowing what condition it is in. If you break it, you now have silica loose in the bottle and you can not start that engine, until the bottle is replaced or you will have silica in your engine. This means that vehicle is stranded until you find another way to the dealer, to get a new bottle. It is best, if you have such a bottle, to simply get a new one and replace it Before touching it and Before you have a serious issue.

[@thepub245]

Bought a VW group vehicle a couple years back and found it had one of these teabags. Decided it had to go and carefully was able to fish it out the top using needle nose pliers and a thin pair of the wife's kitchen tongs. I was shitting myself the whole time I was teasing it out though in case it split, luckily it didn't.

[@user-lc5vh8is3w]

cost me £80 for radiator flush heater matrix stopped working.

[@onederment]

Very thoughtful

[@martinlemke4440]

Cool number plate... 😎

[@TurnersWorkshop97]

😁 thanks!

[@mazdaman1286]

Done loads of heater matrix replacements. Some bags burst , some not. Either way the matrix bocks up with a very fine clay like sludge . VW do a flushing solvent solution which has to be done to clear the remaining sludge , then a few flushes of water and finally new antifreeze. The filling of this system needs a vacuum filler and premixed antifreeze. If you ring VW you will be told only they can do this and will give you a form to remortgage your house...... How is it that Honda and Toyota have antifreeze that is a long life anti corrosion solution that is good for 10 years , and when change is due is piss easy to drain and refill.... can't beat German engineering ??😊

[@fearless9292]

I already changed the cooling liquied, a good service can change this, not only need vacuum filler to do this.

[@goclunker]

Is your engine mount under the expansion bottle cracked?!😳

[@MauriceNL1]

No that's normal

[@macdaniel6029]

A silica bag in the cooling system? WTF? This is the craziest thing I've ever heard about new cars.

[@timsievers2067]

I would argue just replacing the tank, double skin or not. These things start cracking anyway after 8-10 years.

[@MaxMoment2023]

Great video

[@TurnersWorkshop97]

Thank you 🙏🏻 😊

[@Thelakedr]

Yeah I had a 2012 Passat and that happened to my heater core. I never even heard of this till today Good on you for making this video. I'm sure it'll save a lot of people headaches . Stupid Volkswagen move such horse shit.

[@CosmicSeeker69]

One for the YT algorithms

[@paulkillick3419]

Hi, just checked my 2019 vw golf 1.5 tsi and there is no Mit Silikat written on the expansion bottle only G13. The bottle is a double skinned one. I lit the bottle up with a bright torch and can’t see a bag.

[@Cubasenet33]

Thanks for this striking new (for me) information. My Skoda hasn't any SILICA label (or icon) in the expansion bottle, but has the inscription G13. Should I do anything?

[@TurnersWorkshop97]

If it doesn’t have the silica bag I wouldn’t worry :)

[@philscott4522]

Happened to my seat Leon 2015, was a nightmare fix

[@japanluv]

TDI? I got a 2015 Leon estate FR with 158k miles. Better check mine in the morning 😂

[@JohnSmith-ef8nr]

​@japanluv Best just to swap the tank ASAP.

[@phigio1319]

hello you can give the ref without silicat bag? thanks

[@TurnersWorkshop97]

Hi sorry for the delayed response. There should be a link in the description

[@steverzezniczek5315]

Happened to 2014 Jetta 2.0 litre heat on passenger side only plugged heater core also on my 2013 Jetta same problem