My Audi A3 2.0 Tdi 2004 is leaking/losing Anit-freeze

[carsam444]

Hi all, I'm new to this and I thought I would start here..
I have a Audi A3 2.0 Tdi 2004 and it's been mysteriously leaking/losing anti freeze!? trouble is where? it's not going into the oil i've checked that and no mayo like substance. Recently topped up oil.

No blue smoke coming from the exhaust!

And no visable leaks that is until I took the front bumper off and wheel trim arches.....
the hose that goes into the intercooler/rad (bottom near side) had what looked like it had been leaking, I cleaned it off with some wd40 and ran the engine up to 90c (running temp), put a bowl with some cardboard in it and checked for leaks..
no leak's and typically ran out of time as it started getting dark! (Also to note the fans didn't start up??)

Anyway I put it all back together and topped off all lubes as I had a journey the next day, 200 mile round trip.

Got up this morning and checked the anti freeze reservoir.. it's dropped from max mk to just below min mk??

Really could do with any advise,
I'm going back under it tomorrow to see if I can locate anything else and I will update from there.

Could it possibly be air lock in the system?? or is it that hose that leads into the intercooler??

Cheers all, Mike

[mikey2012]

Hi Mike

The Hose you are talking about going to the intercooler is probably just an air intake pipe going to or from the Turbo. The coolant wont get down the the intercooler, the reason for the fluid coming out of the pipe was probably oil (which is normal).

As for where the coolant is going to have you checked under the dash for any leaks from the heater matrix? I would sujest having the cooling system pressurized as this will show up any obvious leak.

If you have checked that there is no water in the oil or any leaks then the only place that it can be going is into the engine most probably through a blown head gasket.

I would start by pressurizing the cooling system, you may have to get a garage to do this or you can by kits online.

Hope this helps

[alankru]

This thread (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?111199-Help-high-usage-of-coolant) may also be of help to you.

[scottyb9r]

hi, got same thing.had the car about 17 months when i first got it i was topping up coolant weekly checked for leaks found none? read stories about porous heads and nearly had heart attack. so i put in bottle of k seal and all has been fine.....untill now as it has started to need topping up again...think it must be porous head as its bkd engine 2004. think k seal must have helped but has now worn off. i have read some things about it maybe being a faulty expansion bottle cap. and for price that is may try that first. ill let you know results of that route...