Loosing coolant help!!

Hi all, I have a 1998/99 A4 avant 2.8 V6 Quattro with the ACK engine. Now since I bought it the engine seems to be using up coolant, I'm using a 5litre bottle a month at the moment. It never gets above half way on the temp gauge and I've had a quick check round the engine, as much of it as I can see, but I cannot identify any leaks. There are also no patches on the floor when its been sat in my drive.

Does anybody have any ideas where I can look and/or what to look for? Many thanks

Sounds like your head gaskey needs attention - have a look at the bottom of the collant bottle lid which you unscrew - if there is brown coloured cream/gunk then this is a good sign of head gasket failure - the audi engines are very strong and it will probably keep going a fair while before it really shows itself - if it is a head gasket jobbie get it fixed asap and save your self an expensive bill later

Check the dipstick for creamy residue aswell.

Water pumps are very common for slow leaks on these.

I have a leak on mine at front. Have a look at the thread.

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=52497

Thanks for the help guys. I don't think there is any residue of any kind on the dipstick. Is there anything else short of taking it to a garage that I can check to see if its possibly the head hasket? I use the car daily and cannot afford to be without it (or replace it if anything goes wrong)

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Originally Posted by dylanlaw1979

Thanks for the help guys. I don't think there is any residue of any kind on the dipstick. Is there anything else short of taking it to a garage that I can check to see if its possibly the head hasket? I use the car daily and cannot afford to be without it (or replace it if anything goes wrong)

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If the engine is same as AUDI 80 TDI a common problem is coolant leak from plastic water connectors on cyl head these can develop hairline cracks and the only cure is replacement.
leaking coolant dries on warm engine block and can be hard to detect

Well I had the car jacked up today and the front drivers side wheel off to take a look at teh ABS sensors and noticed a fair bit of coolant sat on the engine undertray, not discoloured at all. So can I assume this is probably just a leak maybe?

It is unlikely to be either of the head gaskets (it has two) and is more likely to be the water pump.

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Originally Posted by dylanlaw1979

I don't think there is any residue of any kind on the dipstick.

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I would be a bit worried if there was nothing on the dipstick. I would hope there is at least a smear of oil! ;)
I know it was an extremely helpful comment - just having a bit of fun!