audi 80 coolent leak

[keegie]

Hi i have a audi 80 convertible,the trouble is the coolent is draining from the radiator reservoir about 1cm a day i don,t know if its internal or external i can't see leaking under the car, due to the fact that at this time of year the ground is always wet anyway.How can i find out what is causing this what signs do i look for as to internal leak or external and is this a major problem for me.

[Mk2mat]

Hi there, if you've got a leak it'll show itself as white limescale looking stain. The best thing to do is to follow your nose as its a sweet sickly smell. If its inside your car then you've got a heater matrix leak. Be sure that you're not over-filling it and it's just coming out of the over-flow.

[keegie]

Will the coolent leak if the car is not running, as i've not had it long and hav'nt had time to monitor it.There is a limescale stain down the side of the radiator could this be it.How do i know if its leaking internal.thanks.

[Mk2mat]

No probs mate. If your heater matrix were leaking, your carpets would be wet and you would more than likely smell it. The reason it leaks more when running is that it becomes pressurised. It sounds like you've found your leak already

[varoun-sekret]

Originally Posted by Mk2mat

No probs mate. If your heater matrix were leaking, your carpets would be wet and you would more than likely smell it. The reason it leaks more when running is that it becomes pressurised. It sounds like you've found your leak already

audi's thrive on new coolant every 3 yrs.
both 5's & 6's should always be power flushed,
make sure the system is completely bled!
Air in the coolant is rarely diagnosed as the
source of heating woes, it need not be.