Had this problem on my 06 1.9.
Replaced, water pump, thermostat and header tank.
Turned out to be head gasket.
Exhaust gas was entering the cooling system and the header tank was venting when the pressure got to much, hence the drips.

 

Mine too!

Same thing, blowing water past the expansion cap.
Also bowed the bottom of my rad down by 2" too

 

Thermostat

Possibly

 

Had this on my T4, no smoke, leaks etc. was the head gasket.

Get a sniff test done, don't leave it, get it tested.

 

Drove mine like it for nearly a year

These german things can take some stick!

 

Not a good idea - I drove with a head gasket which I knew was letting water into one of the cylinders for a few weeks, despite looking OK when I replaced the gasket, the engine destroyed itself and seized up a few months later - probably corroded the piston rings from letting them sit in water.

 

What's a sniff test?

 

That's not good. Currently at garage having pressure and sniff test done. Already done them both once but proved inconclusive. Mech just taken can off for drive then re-test see what that brings up.

As I'm not getting any temperature issues I'm presuming it's not the water pump?! But I know from reading forum posts that the pumps can be..... Problematic.

Anyone's comments very much welcomed

 

Update

Pressure test and sniff test done. Do I indication of head gasket.

Losing approximately 1 expansion tank full of coolant every 10 miles.

New bottle and now new cap-still losing coolant!!!!

Any ideas at all now

 

I didn't know that and that is worth knowing and doing. Thank you

 

Search T5 2.5 water pump symptoms T:

 

Will do Pete but don't want to change if its not
That.... Though running out of things to do, just done 10 miles started with a max water level alert now on if low coolant

Boo

 

Internal water pump

 

It will be the water pump! Dealers time aprox 1.9 hrs to do the job & they will change the oil and filter also. They use a puller to remove the water pump. On the odd occasion the engine has had to come out if they can't get the puller on the water pump but most times they are ok.

 

thank you everybody for your assistance on this.

I'm going to try and find a local garage who will be up for changing the pump for me pre Christmas.

Anyone got any good recommendations for near Uxbridge, Middlesex?

I know one member mentioned Cord Wallis in Maidenhead who I have used for parts and are good so I'll call them in the morning, but I know another member had a friend I believe who also had a garage not far from me.

Will keep you posted.

 

Stick with a VW dealer mate! You will get a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty.

 

now at VW having water pump changed wahoo!!! And not a bad cafe near by either!!!

 

Final update: After a stiff bill with intermediate service and water pump change Trev is running well and not needing 1 litre every 10 miles!

Couple of things to mention

The guys at VW seem to think that the chance of a 2.5 TDi lump is very, VERY unlikely to fail and the only one they've seen was due to owner error.

My van temp did not rise at all which would have been my first indicator for water pump.

See below:

Lastly, thanks everyone for your comments and advice, I fear this could be a long lasting relationship
A:

 

No problem mate, I'm glad you caught it early enough!
I had mine changed at the last service as a precaution after reading some horror stories.

 

Think yourself lucky this happened to my mates one. Waterpump failed and properly stuck in

Managed to get it out finally