My 2000 VW Passat 1.8 turbo recently was flushed to try and clear up heater core, but now my coolant is running out quickly

So I recently refabricated my engine head and redid the gaskets which made my car run great, but after sitting my car got no heat which I could only trace back to having a bad heater core. We tried flushing the heater core with a garden hose and water from the house. This made heat come back momentarily while we high reved the car, so we topped of the coolant and drove the car again. After driving about 30 minutes I'm having to top off the coolant once again which I just basically thought maybe there was a bubble when we first filled it no big deal, but then again after 2 days, driving it
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Engine coolant can leak externally through a hose, radiator, water pump, etc. or internally due to a leaking head gasket and sometimes a leaking intake manifold gasket depending on the engine design. External leaks are typically found by simple pressure testing of the cooling system. To find the leak that exists in your case, and get the required repair estimated, please request an engine cooling system leak diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

The air conditioner evaporator is what makes the refrigerant cold. This part is typically found underneath the dashboard.
The most common reasons a Volkswagen Passat heater isn`t working are a broken heater blower motor, a problem with the thermostat, or a failed heater blower motor resistor. Search our network of RepairPal Certified shops near you to speak with a technician about your issue. Oops!
The most common reasons a Volkswagen Passat has a coolant leak are loose hose connections, a broken radiator, or a failed water pump. A coolant leak may develop after oil filter replacement. the coolant o-ring… The water pump and/or other cooling system may develop a coolant leak.
The most noticeable sign of an evaporator leak is a strange odor coming from the AC. This odor is the smell of the refrigerant. The characteristic odor indicates that the refrigerant is leaking from the evaporator. Another sign of an evaporator leak is weak airflow.
Lack of heat: If the system is not producing any heat, it could be due to a failed heater core. One of the most common signs is a lack of heat coming from the heater. If you turn on the system and don`t feel any warmth, it`s possible that the heater core is not functioning properly.
An antifreeze leak can occur through a hole in your radiator. Corrosion of your radiator tubes or damage because of stones or debris can create a leak. You may also see a leak between the tank and radiator body over time, as the sealing gasket wears out.
Corrosion within the radiator is one of the leading reasons that coolant leaks. As the tubes get older and weaker, you may get sediment or debris inside that causes a leak. The sealing gasket between the tank and the radiator can also wear out, and that could lead to a leak.
Add one can of refrigerant containing leak detection dye to the low-pressure side with your air conditioning running at the coolest setting. Let the car run for 15 minutes to circulate the refrigerant and dye. Check the condensation tube under the vehicle for any dye that has collected or dripped onto the pavement.
Pressure testing is used to check for leaks in the cooling system and to test the radiator cap.
K-Seal Is The Best Way To Repair Engine Heater Core Leaks.
An evaporator coil is the part of an air conditioner or heat pump that absorbs the heat from the air in your house. It is located inside the air handler or attached to the furnace.
Inside the home, the evaporator coil, sometimes referred to as the cooling coil, is located on the air intake side of the fan coil or the outlet side of the furnace. Its job is to remove heat from indoor air so the blower fan can return cool, refreshing air to the home.
The evaporator coil is inside or near the air handler where the blower fan is. Evaporator coils are made from copper, steel, or aluminum because these metals conduct heat easily. Most residential AC evaporators consist of tubes bent into U-shapes and set into panels.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

My 2000 VW Passat 1.8 turbo recently was flushed to try and clear up heater core, but now my coolant is running out quickly
ANSWER : Engine coolant can leak externally through a hose, radiator, water pump, etc. or internally due to a leaking head gasket and sometimes a leaking intake manifold gasket depending on the engine design. External leaks are typically found by simple pressure testing of the cooling system. To find the leak that exists in your case, and get the required repair estimated, please request an engine cooling system leak diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

No coolant in the reservoir. Seen low coolant message. I added 2 quarts of 50/50 coolant. Still getting the message. How much coolant doe it need?
ANSWER : Hi there. For the coolant light to go out, you would need to have the coolant between the low line and the full line for the light to go out. If the coolant is low and keeps on being low, then look for any signs of coolant leaks. You may have to use a coolant pressure tester to pressurize the reservoir to allow the leak to be found.

If you need further assistance with the coolant being low and the warning light being on, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

Would a 2000 VW Passat 2.0 ECM fit in a 2002 VW Passat v6 3.0?
ANSWER : Hi there. The Engine Control Module (ECM) on a 2.0 engine will fit on the 3.0 engine, however, the ECM may have to be flashed (reprogrammed) to the vehicle you have. If the engine block was swapped out, then the computer would not know the difference other than the engine temperature. The ECM for the 2.0 may have different temperature setting than the 3.0 has for the difference in compression. If you need further assistance with swapping ECM’s, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

Flushed coolant month ago now glitter in radiator
ANSWER : Hi there. Quite frequently when red and green coolant is mixed and inside the coolant tubes for a long time, it can cause excessive wear of the coolant tubes. The ’glitter’ you see may be excessive debris that may have worn off the coolant hoses. Whether or not you can continue to run with this coolant; it shouldn’t be a problem. However, I would recommend that the next time you flush your coolant, that you also replace the coolant hoses and tubes.

My 05 equinox is overheating. Refilled coolant reservoir this morning for the reservoir was empty, but I cant find any coolant. Now heater is blowing cold.
ANSWER : Hi there. If the engine is overheating to almost at the red line but not there, then the issue would be the thermostat and leaking out the blow by hose. If the needle is going into the red line, then the coolant could be leaking out of a freeze plug and burning off on the exhaust or leaking into the engine causing the oil to mix. Check the engine oil and see if it is milky. If the oil is milky, then there is coolant getting in the oil through the intake gaskets or the head gaskets. If you need further assistance with your engine overheating, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

No heat in my 1995 Jeep Cherokee
ANSWER : Hello – to resolve your "no heat" issue, first check that the engine is running at design temperature (center of the gauge), or 190-205 degrees Farenheit. If engine is up to temp, grab the heater hoses (carefully) inside the passenger compartment. If they’re hot, then there is likely an air blend door problem inside the air box under the dash preventing hot air from reaching the vents. If the hoses are not hot, there is a coolant flow problem in the heater core. For assistance with this problem, I would recommend a heater inspection by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

Turbo VS. Non-Turbo Valve Cover Gasket
ANSWER : Hi there. Looks like the gaskets are the same for the turbo and non turbo engines. I recommend asking the local parts store for to see a valve cover gasket for the non turbo engine and a gasket for a turbo engine and compare the two gaskets. If the gaskets are the same material and have the same design, the go for the valve cover gasket that will fit your budget. If you need further assistance with the valve cover gasket, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

Car overheats. Replaced thermostat, overflow cap, heater core. car was blowing cold air, massive leak from heater core hoses.
ANSWER : Of course, be sure it is not just a temperature sender and/or gauge malfunction. If there is trapped air in the cooling passageways that can cause overheating. There are a few other common causes of overheating, namely a faulty thermostat (inapplicable in your case although be sure you used a genuine OEM thermostat), a plugged radiator, collapsed hoses, non functioning cooling fans, and a faulty water pump or drive belt. Certain engine faults, such as a leaking head gasket or poor engine running condition can also cause overheating. If you desire that this problem be diagnosed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request an engine overheating diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.