P2181 code, recurring Cooling system problem with check engine light

2008 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
122,449 MILES • 2.0L • 4 CYL • TURBO • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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WILFREDOKANY
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vehicle is 2008 passat komfort with a 2.0TSI engine. Problem started with unidentifiable coolant leaks, stuttering engine after about 3 weeks of constantly topping up coolant, hard starting and then huge amount of white smoke on a particular morning Which fizzled away after after about 3hrs, for which I have changed some parts including
1:water pump
2: coolant temperature switch
3: radiator
4: water connector plastic to engine block.
Currently, car drives well but still has the check engine light showing.
I'm wondering if the head gasket has been the problem all along because the car was driven over 500 miles and temperature light was blinking but the driver didn't know what it meant. This was before I started noticing the coolant leaks.
Please I need your advice and also want to know how I can make donations with a master card. Thank you.
Mar 6, 2015 at 9:31 PM
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.
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MHPAUTOS
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First thing to do is get a scan done to read the fault codes, the check engine light is an indication that faults have be logged, with a petrol engine, you can get a head check done, this is a simple chemical test of the cooling system gasses to see if Co is present, if so a head problem will be indicated, start here. A cooling system pressure test will help locate any external coolant leaks as well.
Mar 7, 2015 at 12:05 AM
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F4I_GUY
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After you performed the work did you clear all the faults? What faults were present before you repaired the vehicle and what faults are currently active?

The water pump will not make the car run like that, out of all my years working at volkswagen I had never seen a headgasket go on a TSI. However, like it was stated, if the customer drove the vehicle with it overheating, anything is possible at this point.

But first thing is first. list the faults pre and post repairs.
Mar 7, 2015 at 8:51 AM