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Hmm, tough to find coolant leaks can be a challenge; as your mechanic has already done, a coolant pressure test, is the best way to find leaks.
I purchased a test kit from Harbor Freight and seeing how the cooling systems in VWs, have lots of plastic, you WILL use it and continue to have leaks, if you keep your car for a decent length of time. I recommend you get one and do the work yourself. Keep in mind, this is just one source for a kit like this and there are many others available but I own this, it does work, it has the adapter for our VW's.
Radiator Pressure Tester Kit
Pittsburgh® Automotive - Item#63862
https://www.google.com/search?biw=1...sy-ab..3.6.373...0i13k1j35i39k1.0.P2Ki1IHcu7g
So, I had a leak, I could NOT find and had been trying to find the source of the leak, for a long time. I tried the kit for the first time; I pressurized it, found no leaks and got frustrated. Then, I did another cycle of testing; after pressurizing the system a number of time, I FINALLY found the leak, so it may take a number of pressure/release cycles to find it.
Other possibilities; are a head gasket leak or coolant mixing with the transmission fluid, from a failed oil cooler. These can both be checked by looking at the auto trans fluid and inspecting the engine oil. In the case of the engine head gasket; you could try a combustion leak test kit or try a leak down test, to see if things are ok.
Sometimes, taking your car to a shop; for hard to diagnose or intermittent problems, challenge even the pro's. Taking the time to do it yourself; observe the car from a daily use perspective and testing issues, can help find the problem. If this is out of your comfort zone or just don't want to tackle the problem; you might take it to another shop, that is more competent, maybe they can find the issue this time around.
I purchased a test kit from Harbor Freight and seeing how the cooling systems in VWs, have lots of plastic, you WILL use it and continue to have leaks, if you keep your car for a decent length of time. I recommend you get one and do the work yourself. Keep in mind, this is just one source for a kit like this and there are many others available but I own this, it does work, it has the adapter for our VW's.
Radiator Pressure Tester Kit
Pittsburgh® Automotive - Item#63862
https://www.google.com/search?biw=1...sy-ab..3.6.373...0i13k1j35i39k1.0.P2Ki1IHcu7g
So, I had a leak, I could NOT find and had been trying to find the source of the leak, for a long time. I tried the kit for the first time; I pressurized it, found no leaks and got frustrated. Then, I did another cycle of testing; after pressurizing the system a number of time, I FINALLY found the leak, so it may take a number of pressure/release cycles to find it.
Other possibilities; are a head gasket leak or coolant mixing with the transmission fluid, from a failed oil cooler. These can both be checked by looking at the auto trans fluid and inspecting the engine oil. In the case of the engine head gasket; you could try a combustion leak test kit or try a leak down test, to see if things are ok.
Sometimes, taking your car to a shop; for hard to diagnose or intermittent problems, challenge even the pro's. Taking the time to do it yourself; observe the car from a daily use perspective and testing issues, can help find the problem. If this is out of your comfort zone or just don't want to tackle the problem; you might take it to another shop, that is more competent, maybe they can find the issue this time around.
