Coolant runoff

[daninr8]

I have a 2000 Audi A4 1.8T, and I recently had a coolant alert, but couldn't see it on the display. I found out real quick that I had run my coolant out of a disconnected hose, the top hose on the radiator. It has a metal clip to the plastic inlet, and that is where every drop off radiator fluid went out of. I shut the car down, and let the engine cool down. I then put more G12 antifreeze into the engine, started it a few times to draw the antifreeze into the engine, put more in as needed, and then drove it home. I talked with the service department, but they said that they couldn't remark on if I had harmed the engine in any way until I took it to them, and they would have to spend 8 to 16 hours with the car to be sure. Should I take it in, or is there a less expensive way to know if I harmed the engine? Any comments or replies would be very helpful, because I use the car for work, and don't want to lose it.

[jaimesonlee]

Originally Posted by daninr8

I have a 2000 Audi A4 1.8T, and I recently had a coolant alert, but couldn't see it on the display. I found out real quick that I had run my coolant out of a disconnected hose, the top hose on the radiator. It has a metal clip to the plastic inlet, and that is where every drop off radiator fluid went out of. I shut the car down, and let the engine cool down. I then put more G12 antifreeze into the engine, started it a few times to draw the antifreeze into the engine, put more in as needed, and then drove it home. I talked with the service department, but they said that they couldn't remark on if I had harmed the engine in any way until I took it to them, and they would have to spend 8 to 16 hours with the car to be sure. Should I take it in, or is there a less expensive way to know if I harmed the engine? Any comments or replies would be very helpful, because I use the car for work, and don't want to lose it.

Hell no don't take it to Audi....they will charge you around a thousand dollars or so at that labor rate......ef'n crooks. Sounds like you just need to change either the upper radiator hose or the radiator itself.

When you fill the reservoir back up you will need bleed the system. There is a bleeder screw below and to the right of the power steering pump. Well that's the V6 model anyways. Get yourself a Haynes auto manual for your car (around $20) and you can diagnose the leak and get step by step instructions on changing the part as well as finding the bleeder valve.

Hope this helps,

good luck!