Coolant help plzzzzzzzzz

[a6 jasper]

hello chaps ,
ive just bought an A6 19 TDI 130, from a local car dealer a month ago, the car has 147000 miles on the clock and drives really nice but ive had to top the coolant up several times now .
Looking at the recietes that came with the car it had the head gasket and belts etc changed in july this year,
i have taken the car back 3 times now with the coolant loss problem and even had it checked by my local garage and every time it comes back with them saying
"they cant find anything wrong"
So my question is: does any one know whats going on? its been sniff tested and block tested , the heater matrix etc have also been checked with the same result every time " all ok
thanks in advance for any reply
Mark

[Sam]

Have a look at the lower corners of the radiator.

You're looking for pink crystalised coolant deposits.

[a6 jasper]

been there, done that mate , still nothing :(

[adamss24]

Cracked head mate...

[a6 jasper]

wouldnt that have been picked up on the sniff test or the block test mate?:confused:, ive had a look around the head myself and cant find anything there either

[towcestervag]

egr cooler
done several
usually they dont use coolant on short journeys but do on longer journeys
remove the egr cooler and seperate 2 sections and you will confirm

[a6 jasper]

hello mate
im a complete diesel virgin, where can i find the cooler and can the leak be spotted from the outside, as there doesnt seem to be any sign of a leak anywhere on the engine

[a6 jasper]

would that explain why after a busy day, the next day it seems to smoke alot on first start up? :confused: more than if its had an easy day ie: short trips

[towcestervag]

egr cooler will show no external signs of leakage
yes it may cause exhaust to smoke more on first start as they seem to leak on longer journeys
and as cooling system still pressurised will allow coolant into exhaust which will cause more comdensation of cause
the egr cooler is located to the left/drivers side of cylinder head

[a6 jasper]

thank you very much for your help mate, your a star :beerchug:

[johnloaderuk]

Might be the coolant expansion tank cap. I had this on the wife's Passat. The seal does fail sometimes, which leaves a slight residue of evaporated coolant around the cap. Worth a look, and a new cap is only a few quid.

[a6 jasper]

thanks mate, i was going to do that as a matter of course , too put my mind at rest if nothing else ,lol and like you say " its only a couple of quid"