Audi A4 drinking Coolant

Markdub2000

I have an 03 Audi A4,
When I got in to the car on monday morning (cold start) the coolant level low light warning came up.

When I checked the coolant level it was very low, the manual says only use G12 A8D with 60% water.

The local garage only had some BS coolant and I couldnt determine if this was correct, in the absence of the additive, I just filled the system with water for the time being.

I drove about 300miles this week, and this morning (Friday) again the coolant light came on again, when I opened the engine compartment the coolant level was right down again, nearly empty.

Could the engine use up all this water in the space of 300 miles with the absence of the G12 A8D? or is it that the coolant is leaking away?

Cheers.

George Dalton

The coolant and water mix together so you can't have one leaking without the other. You had better get it checked out before it does damage.

Antikythera

George Dalton wrote: »

The coolant and water mix together so you can't have one leaking without the other.

I'm sure OP appreciates being made aware of this amazing fact.

George Dalton

I appreciate your sarcasm but I'm not so sure they were aware having read this:

Markdub2000 wrote: »

Could the engine use up all this water in the space of 300 miles with the absence of the G12 A8D? or is it that the coolant is leaking away?

If there is no sign of a leak i would get it pressure tested, it could be the head gasket gone.

My car was loosing coolant at the same rate and it was indeed the HG.

SilverBell

Do the thermostat housings warp and fail on those 03 cars? I know they certainly fail on the earlier VAG yokes. its not a hard fix if thats the trouble.

You will see red stains (from the coolant) or white crusting near a leak.

Hopefully its not the HG.
G

Markdub2000

Thanks for all the responses.

Yes it could very well be the head gasket, one of the engine coils blew two months ago and the mechanic reported oil in the engine coil compartment.

He said he replaced the seal, but this must have failed.

I have noticed any stains on the foot path and I haven't driven in particularly hard, but there must be something wrong if it has gobbled this much water in 5 days, i doubt if it has evapourated.

cheers folks.

PauloMN

Markdub2000 wrote: »

Thanks for all the responses.

Yes it could very well be the head gasket, one of the engine coils blew two months ago and the mechanic reported oil in the engine coil compartment.

He said he replaced the seal, but this must have failed.

I have noticed any stains on the foot path and I haven't driven in particularly hard, but there must be something wrong if it has gobbled this much water in 5 days, i doubt if it has evapourated.

cheers folks.

My '03 A4 just went through two coils after the rocker cover gasket failed and oil got into them. Hope this isn't the start of a load of other problems. I've no coolant problems as yet.

MetzgerMeister

You could have a gaping hole in your radiator.

Antikythera

Markdub2000 wrote: »

I have noticed any stains on the foot path..

Well if you have noticed any stains on the footpath, it must be leaking from somewhere, no?

ltdslipdiff

Check the EGR, not sure if its water-cooled, have seen some on Opels + Citroens fail/crack leaking water in to the exhaust causing drop in fluid level and head gasket-like symptoms.... Just my tuppence

hanloj1

My 03 audi a3 2.0lt had coolant leak when i bought her. kept filling her every week. got her pressure tested and she was fine. Mechanic put something in with coolant and I never had a problem since. I presume it was something like nova stop, rad weld.

Markdub2000

My '03 A4 just went through two coils after the rocker cover gasket failed and oil got into them.

This is exactly what happened me a few months ago, the coils packs were full of oil, the mechanic replaced the seal on the gasket and it seemed to be ok.

I took it to the mechanic tonight, no obvious leaks, the coil packs seem dry, there was a bit of gunk when he removed the front cover over timing belt, that he said wasn't right.

As its an apparent slow leak, he said i should be ok for the weekend and will take it in on Tuesday.

The parking space in front had dried out enough to show noticable staining where the engine would normally sit above - so does look like there may be a leak somewhere.

Thanks folks, will keep the post updated with the results next week. will just have to keep topping up with water for the moment.

Markdub2000

The water pump was leaking, I wonder if the garage actually replaced it at the last timing belt change 65k miles - the car has only done 110k miles and it hasn't been that cold to warrant a burst pipe - plus there was G12 coolant in it....

George Dalton

Was it a genuine water pump or spurious?

PauloMN

Markdub2000 wrote: »

The water pump was leaking, I wonder if the garage actually replaced it at the last timing belt change 65k miles - the car has only done 110k miles and it hasn't been that cold to warrant a burst pipe - plus there was G12 coolant in it....

I've seen ads for Audi garages with "reasonable" prices (compared with Celtic Tiger prices) for timing belt changes, and they always say water pump is not included in the quoted price. Obviously when you go to book they'll advise that the water pump is changed also - I would assume they would anyway - but maybe the pump was not done last time. Did you get it changed the last time or was it a previous owner?

I presume you got your timing belt done while doing the water pump this time!