VW Golf MK4 TDI Coolant Leak (ARL PD150 engine) Water Level Drops

A couple of days ago when leaving work the dashboard warning light came on my VW Golf TDI showing that the coolant level was low. I added some water to top it up and drove home. Next day exactly the same thing happened so clearly there was some form of coolant leak in the system somewhere.

Having searched online there were a few options for the cause, most of them expensive such as head gasket replacement being required. Fortunately there was no sign of oil in the water and there was water under the car after a journey which gave some idea of where to look for the leak.

On closer inspection there was fresh water sitting above the gearbox and a radiator pipe (lower radiator pipe?) that looked in poor condition. I moved the pipe and a jet of water squirted out so that appears to be the culprit. Now I just need to get a replacement hose and fit it so that the pipe can be removed.

The car has done over 240,000 miles so a split radiator hose is one of those things that you expect to happen at some point as parts wear out.

Leak from VW Golf TDI - split radiator hose losing coolant

More info on tracing VW Golf coolant leaks here