A3 coolant leak

[hensojm]

I've have an A3 2.0TDI Sport from new, it's 3years old just out of warranty and it's started to leak coolant. Topped it up a few times in the last 6 weeks and though nothing of it (wasn't losing loads). Took it to the dealer to get a faulty back wiper sorted and mentioned the coolant leak. They fixed the wiper and said they carried out a few test on the engine and it needs a new cylinder head £3000.00 please and we need it for 3 days....!!! I thought £3K was alot for a repair.....so took it to my local garage where they block tested it, pressure tested the system and said they couldn't find anything wrong, BUT it does leak a little bit of coolant....anybody any ideas...???

[mr audi]

Hi, Spoke to an audi tech today about this. They have had quite a few A3s coming in with this coolant fault. most say that the leval seams to go up and down and they top it up a small amount with no visual leaks. The only info i could get is that if it smokes {white} when first started in the morning it will nead a head gasket or head. Seams a bit harsh to me so will try and find out more.

[hensojm]

Took it to another garage....they said does not smoke blue (oil) or white (water) out the back and doesn't mis-fire, no oil in the coolant, no coolant in the oil...all signs of a cracked head.

They questioned how the Reading dealer could say it was the head without taking it off.

They said what they are probably going to do is replace the head, head gasket, water pump and cam-belt.....just to cover everything.....after all it's me that's paying for it....!!!

[mjhughes55]

I have the exact same problem on my 2004 Golf 2.0 TDI.

Has this fault been located? VW have looked at my car 3 times and been unable to find a fault - it has been pressure tested and had a new coolant cap fitted - no leaks. But still the fluid is lost. I fear its going into the head gasket and will be expensive to repair. The car is now out of warranty.

Anyone had the same problem and fixed it? What was the cause and solution?

Any other info or suggestions?

Thanks in advance

[Disco Dave]

Hi all, newbie here looking for some clues as to a prob on my A3, and came across this forum.

I guess I'm seeing a similar issue. About 3 weeks ago, I had a problem with the electrics on the boot of the car, at the same time as a coolant level warning. I put that down to coincidence

The worst part of the electrics fault was the boot closed sensor malfunctioning, causing the alarm to activate randomly and frequently. The rear wiper also wouldn't work while the "boot open" sensor was playing up.

Audi did a lot of diagnostics and found no problems with the door sensor other than stripping it down, cleaning it, and re-fitting - problem solved (apparently)

Then yesterday, coolant level warning started to show again, and the boot door lock fault re-appeared. I can't help feel this is too coincidental.

Could I have a coolant leak that is close to any microswitches / cabling I wonder? Does this seem a silly idea?

The car is due to go back in to Audi so I'll let you know what comes of that, if anything.

Dave

[egriffith]

I have a Audi A3 2.0 sport, just out of warranty and its developed a coolant leak about a week ago and I've had to top it up a few times. I have had a good look all around and can’t see where it is coming from at all. I see a few people have had the same problem.
Don't know what to do next. I don't think the garage will find anything either there's no signs at all. It's just typical that the warranty has just run out...!!!

HELP..!!

[mrbutts]

I have a Audi A3 2.0 sport, just out of warranty and its developed a coolant leak about a week ago and I've had to top it up a few times. I have had a good look all around and can’t see where it is coming from at all. I see a few people have had the same problem.

I've got the same problem on my 05 plate 2.0 TDI A3 Sport which now has 60k on the clock. The coolant level was dropping slowly at first but the rate has increased over the last 500 miles. It’s now dropping from high to low after about 50 miles.

Initially I had it into the garage (not a dealer) who took its nappy/drip tray/muck guard off and took one look (in front of me) before declaring the radiator was going to need replacing. This annoyed me because there was no clear sign of where it was leaking from, just drips of the red coolant liquid on the lowest part of the radiator. I had expected some kind of diagnosis involving perhaps pressure testing to see if it was a hose or connection leak.

Could those of you in the know advise me on the relative merits of these options available to me:
1. Get the radiator replaced asap (at a quoted cost of just less than £300, labour and new generic radiator included).
2. Get a second quote from a garage that will take a detailed look at it and identify where the leak is before carrying out the work.
3. Use a radiator sealant and hope this solves the problem, at least until option 1 becomes necessary. What are the risks with these treatments – could it all suddenly go wrong on the hard shoulder? Do they even work on these plastic-ended radiators?

If replacement of the radiator ends up being necessary would anyone care to give their opinion on where to source the parts. I’m told by my garage that the part they’d fit is designed exactly for my specific car but does not come from Audi (perhaps generic but compatible?). I’m aware that the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of all the car’s parts is not actually Audi themselves but suppliers like Valeo and possibly others who supply the VAG group. But are there others who are good or is Valeo the part manufacture I should insist on getting? Presumably it will only cost me more to actually get the parts from the Audi dealer and could well be the same part anyway at a higher price – is that right?

I know there are plenty of knowledgeable & experienced people out there who can tell me these things – just hope you’re reading this!

Thanks in advance!

[s4-matt]

You seem to be loosing a lot of coolant for it to be leaking by the head or through the EGR as some of the other cars in this thread. Would seem to me most likely the rad but this should be fairly obveous on inspection.

Audi state quite clearly you shouldn't use rad sealers so for a few hundred quid it probably isn't advisable to risk knackering your cooling system. If you don't think it is the rad and aren't out of pocket in doing so then getting a second opinion can't be that bad. If you do the work yourself best get the part from Audi. I'm guessing the garages quote includes a mark up on the part anyway and you would probably get the part for around the same form Audi and save the labour if you are mechanically minded enough to do the job.

[Boatboy1977]

Hi there,

I've just joined and having looked at the site this A3 Coolant leak jumped out at me. I just had my A3 3.2 Quattro serviced for the first time. Its about the same age has your A3. The Dealer also found a slight loss of Coolant fluid in mine as well. Luckily it was covered under the warranty as it was a hairline fracture in the plastic casting of the radiator. They said that there was a bad batch of these rads supplied to Audi and a few had caused leakage. Mine only really lost fluid during the last summer when the hot weather caused extra pressure on the system. It was a slight trace of the anti-freeze residue that showed up on the rad that wanted them to change it. I'd have a bit of a hunt round there if its of any use.
Hope thats of some use.

[hensojm]

Took it into Tyneside audi and within a few hour they had discovered I needed a new EGR unit...something to do with exhaust gas cooling....and they (audi) apparently have re-engineered them (meaning they didn't work in the first place but were reluctant to do a recall). THIS MADE THE LEAK WORSE. Audi tech services recommended this work as the dealership couldn't find anything wrong. Thank goodness for the tech services department....if it wasn't for them I could have kept my £200 and spent it on something worthy. Trying third different dealer next week (Camberley). Wish me luck...!!