Coolant Issues

[the_seller2103]

Just purchased my first A4. Its a 2003 1.8T Quattro with 40k on it. I noticed the other day when I was checking my fluids for the first time since at the dealer that my coolant level was low. I filled it up, checked it a few days later and it was way below the minimum level. I filled up again, checked carefully the next few days for a possible leak (puddles after i park, browsed around the engine, smells of coolant from outside the car) and found none, but the level has still dropped more than normal.

1. Can someone please give me some more things to check? If any?
2. Possible reasons for this?
3. How worried should I be?

Thanks for all your help.

the_seller2103

[corrado89]

you can aim a flashlight behind the rear of the head and look between the head and firewall to see if there is any water leaking from the coolant flange. You will see pink dried up coolant. You can also take off the plastic belly pan to see if there are water spots.

Are you refilling with coolant, tap water, distilled water. You should never fill a car using tap water because of the minerals. Only distilled water or G12 coolant.

Hope this helps

[the_seller2103]

Thanks for the response. It makes sense, I've only filled up with prestone 50/50 since i noticed. It hasnt been as low as previously but still a slight drop. I will check under the hood when not at work. Thanks!

[RickT]

Hi./.

This is a pic of the offending part..







Rick

[bammercole]

does the car start rough or run rough at all. I had some of the same symptoms as you, coolant kept disappearing although I couldn't see it anywhere. I changed all the stuff people said, coolant temp switch, etc. It ended up being a blown head gasket. Even the dealership couldn't find it. My plugs weren't even fouled, but when i had them out I could see coolant sitting on top of the cylinders. Also you'd probably notice white smoke when you start, which is the coolant being burned up. let me know where you're at with the problem.

ryan

[RickT]

Originally Posted by the_seller2103

Just purchased my first A4. Its a 2003 1.8T Quattro with 40k on it. I noticed the other day when I was checking my fluids for the first time since at the dealer that my coolant level was low. I filled it up, checked it a few days later and it was way below the minimum level. I filled up again, checked carefully the next few days for a possible leak (puddles after i park, browsed around the engine, smells of coolant from outside the car) and found none, but the level has still dropped more than normal.

1. Can someone please give me some more things to check? If any?
2. Possible reasons for this?
3. How worried should I be?

Thanks for all your help.

the_seller2103

Did you get this sorted?

Rick