Do these V8's drink coolant?

[IntJetSet]

On saturday I topped up the coolant as the warning light came on, when I checked it was almost completely empty. I know I should have checked fluids etc regularly but I've only had the car 3/4 weeks and didn't expect it to have drunk a whole reservoir of the stuff. The engine temps remained static on 90 degrees onced warmed up so I had no reason to be suspicious until the warning popped up.

I'm pretty sure it hasn't got a leak as I've had some driving out of it since and the levels are fine. However even over the last 3 days with some mixed driving (I went out for a half hour blast round the lanes between Dunchurch and Banbury yesterday lunchtime cause I was bored) it has used some coolant, not loads but more than I would normally expect. It's still within the max min lines, but just closer to the min than the max and I topped it up to the max line on sat.

My mate has had loads of big engines, TVR, XKR, M6 and he reckons it's just common on big, hot V8's. I've only had rep mobiles until this car so I'm not used to how they behave yet. Anyone else got any thoughts?

[BlingBling]

These V8's do like thier fluids but not engine coolants. You have a leak somewhere. The coolant cap have been know to leak fluid. The aux rads are prone to corrosion resulting in leakage.

[R33]

My Aux Rads have leaked since I bought mine, it's a common problem as Bling Bling says, just use the search and you'll see what I mean. I can't be bothered getting them fixed until another bumper off job comes along. In the summer I was topping up every 1-2 weeks but this winter I've hardly needed to touch it at all, must be the ambient temps?! Obviously though each car/leak isn't the same though but no matter what the fluid is the S4 sure likes to drink them. I carry a 5L's of oil, 5L's of coolant and 2L's of screenwash all the time in the boot.

[IntJetSet]

Cool cool, ha ha.

Where should I be looking under the bonnet for signs of a leak? Is there anything obvious?

Can I flush it through with something or is this a big no no?

[Sharkfan]

We've had our S4 for coming up to a year now and it likes a sip of coolant - I'm putting in about 1/2 cup a fortnight (300-400 miles) and one mechanic I spoke to said it's to do with expansion rates of joints in the auxiliary rad - the first time it alarmed, I got alarmed, but now I just check it and top it up with the Halfords advanced ready-mixed. Importantly it hasn't increased at all in one years ownership.

I figure at roughly 2 x 5 litres every twelve months it'll be a little while before I need to get it fixed, and if it leaks a little more or blows - I'll know for sure where it is

HTH

[Scotty]

My S4 is no longer with me but when I went to get some coolant the parts guy asked if I was flushing the system. When I said top up he said you shouldn't need to. It's a sealed system and if it needs fluid then theres a leak.

It was very minor and eas eventually traced to a manufacturing defect in the block. I'd asked my dealer to check it a couple of times during the warranty and they coudn't find it. When they did it was outside warranty. Even though it was a manufacturing defect Audi UK wouldn't offer more than 40% good will and my dealer adding 10%. Since the fix was a new lower engine and rebuild or for a little more a brand new engine (about £10k) I px'ed it and moved on.

Who ever bought it would only have to top up a little bit every year or so and since I'd had it 5+ years and it had never got worse then I'm sure it will carry on being fine. However we were looking to change cars so this just sped that up.

p.s. It still says S4 in my signature as I can't change it!

[HYFR]

aux rads leaking

[cobraBLACK]

I've had a similar problem for a couple of months.

Had it checked twice and the garage couldn't find a leak so thought gas was evaporating from a badly sealed expansion tank cap.

I replaced it but it's still depleting.

Had it on a ramp recently and there was red coolant underneath the engine.

Went back to the garage and they said they'd have to take the bumper off to see where it's coming from. At a cost of a few hundred pounds to do that, I'd rather just top it up every week or so.

[IntJetSet]

Looks like I'm not the only one then! Kind of good to know in a way. The leak can't be anything serious otherwise it'd be dropping it's coolant as I was putting it in. Topping it up seems to me to be the way to go for now as there are other priorities to manage first.

Is there a guide on here regarding how to replace the air filter and clean the snow filter? I was umming and ahhing about changing the filters, they provide nearly no significant power or torque gains and I'm told that the Audi stock filter is actually pretty good. That said I'd like to get in there, keep the filter I have but clear any debris that might have accumulated to help what I have breathe easily. I found a guide on another site last night but the photos had expired on photobucket. The description relied heavily on the photos so I'm back to square one.

[cobraBLACK]

Air filter is pretty straightforward.

See here.

You have to register but there's a few DIY guides that are very helpful.

[IntJetSet]

Air filter is pretty straightforward.

See here.

You have to register but there's a few DIY guides that are very helpful.

Those DIY guides are excellent. I've been sat reading through a load of them for the last hour or so. Superb.

[cobraBLACK]

Those DIY guides are excellent. I've been sat reading through a load of them for the last hour or so. Superb.

I used that one in conjunction with the rocker cover gasket guide just before Christmas. Really helpful in getting my tools/parts ready beforehand too.

[cobraBLACK]

I carry a 5L's of oil, 5L's of coolant and 2L's of screenwash all the time in the boot.

Where do you fit all that?!

I've got a 1 L bottle of oil in the side net pocket of the boot and a coil pack in the glove box.

[R33]

I carry a 5L's of oil, 5L's of coolant and 2L's of screenwash all the time in the boot.

Where do you fit all that?!

I've got a 1 L bottle of oil in the side net pocket of the boot and a coil pack in the glove box.

Haha just in the boot of the avant on the right side with a couple of bungees strapping it down. It all comes out when I have to fill the boot but day to day I like to be prepared. I also carry 2 coil packs, tools and a VAG com cable at all times.

[IntJetSet]

Jesus you lot travel preparred. I've got coolant (obviously considering the title of the forum topic), Water and screen wash. Haven't ordered any oil yet but next on my list.

I put the coolant (consentrated so 2l bottle) underneath the now redundant Nav DVD drive in the boot cubby hole and I put the rest in the space inside the spare wheel along with some kitchen roll and some gloves.

Naieve question but I've seen loads of VAGCOM type gizmo's. Which one should I be looking at?

Also why carry coil packs? Do they go? Assume you can only work out which ones have gone if plugged in hence also carrying vagcom?