Audi S4 - head gasket problem?

[toddandrews]

Hello.......I recently had the timing belt and water pump changed on my 2001 Audi S4 avant. Upon getting it back from the mechanic, I noticed a constant coolant leak that had never been there before. I brought it back to the mechanic and was told that it probably was just over filled when they put it all back together. Basically told me that it would probably stop leaking after a few days. Well it continued to leak small amounts for another 2-3 weeks and eventually the coolant warning light came on. I topped off the coolant and drove it home only to have it smoke like crazy and coolant was sprayed all over the engine compartment.
I called the mechanic and brought it back in again assuming that we just had a loose hose or small leak, etc. Later that day he called and told me that it was bad and looked like I had oil mixing in with the coolant and that the head gasket was probably bad..........and that it would cost a ton to fix.

Obviously, my first question was it must have been something they did as my car did not leak a drop of fluids prior to bringing it in for the timing belt work.

Since I really dont understand all this stuff, I need someone with mechanical knowledge to help me understand what happened to my car and if it could have been something that they did wrong during the service work. I find it hard to believe that it would be a coincidence that I start having problems after this major service. Thanks,

todd

[lee 80 avant]

hi could you tell where the leak was coming from by having a cambelt and water pump change should not cause the problems that you have explained unless they have not fitted the water pump correctly.

as for the water and oil mixing i would check the oil cooler witch is sandwiched between the oil filter and the engine these have a problem of braking down in side this is a common fault

have this checked first as to do the head gaskets on your car requires the engine to be take out


lee

[maxim_s45]

I would punch this "mechanic" with something really heavy... twice. Coolant leak if it started after the service it is their fault - either wrong pump installation or they damaged pipes around. Over filled? If they do the timing belts they should know exact liters per engine - there is no way to overfill it unless they forgot to remove air from the system.

Are they willing to pay? I would 100% change the place where you service the car and start the diagnostics from the beginning: +1 to lee check the filter, check bubbles in the expansion tank. Gaskets could be very expensive if heads changes shape due to temperature.