Leak = trouble?

[MarksRS]

I've noticed a small leak just in front of front offside tyre. I can see the radiator is there and having just had mot done in hoping maybe the jubilee clip needs tightening. Any advice on how to get access to and check the pipes?

[Audi Pardner]

I've noticed a small leak just in front of front offside tyre. I can see the radiator is there and having just had mot done in hoping maybe the jubilee clip needs tightening. Any advice on how to get access to and check the pipes?

I've just replaced both my auxiliary rads (though only one was leaking). Unfortunately it's unlikely to be a clip - they're not Jubilee clips but a type of spring clip so no scope for tightening. My guess is that it'll be a leaking rad, and it's a bumper off job (various threads here will tell you how to do it - a bit daunting the first time but easy enough on subsequent occasions ). I also removed the headlights for easier access to the clips.

Stoke Audi do the rads for £189 delivered. Hope this helps, and good luck.

[Audi Pardner]

PS you'll also need some fresh coolant

[MarksRS]

Ok thanks - will take a look at the threads. Went out again this afternoon and when I parked up there was no leak? Any chance of it being little bit of condensation?

[adsgreen]

The rads are thermostat controlled and only kick in when really hot

[Audi Pardner]

Ok thanks - will take a look at the threads. Went out again this afternoon and when I parked up there was no leak? Any chance of it being little bit of condensation?

Possibly. I noticed mine leaking when I pulled up at home and there was a wisp of steam rising from the o/s front of the car, looked under and there was a slight drip from the undertray and some dampness on the deflector lip in front of the arch liner. Pulled the plastic grille off the fog light surround and could see that the fins on the rad were wet

Ads - when you say "really hot", what do you mean? Mine was showing 90 on the gauge when the above symptoms occurred.

[adsgreen]

No idea on the actual temp but 90 would be about normal operatin temp not hot. Try over 100-105 oil temp.

[toyneg]

Mine does this and believe it is just from the air con. Had the lads have a look at the meet this weekend, gaz's rs5 does exactly the same and he showed me why. It should just be cold water that's leaking

[chrisd31]

mine is leaking aswell, does anyone have a guide on how to remove the front bumper? is it worth putting a new rad on or just removing it?

[neilparf]

mine is leaking aswell, does anyone have a guide on how to remove the front bumper? is it worth putting a new rad on or just removing it?

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthrea ... er-Removal

Or the one I've followed each time...

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthrea ... -of-Bumper

You'll get good at this procedure soon.

[MarksRS]

Great step-by-step guides. Thanks.

[PetrolDave]

Mine does this and believe it is just from the air con.

Air con condensation (it's not a leak) is normally from in the region of the gearbox, where the HVAC drain is.

Since OP since his leak is in front of his front wheel a leaking aux rad seems far more likely.

[toyneg]

Mine does this and believe it is just from the air con.

Air con condensation (it's not a leak) is normally from in the region of the gearbox, where the HVAC drain is.

Since OP since his leak is in front of his front wheel a leaking aux rad seems far more likely.

I must have a leaking aux rad too then as that's where mine drips from. I was just going by what some of the lads said on Saturday

[Audi Pardner]

I was hoping mine was just air con residue, but poking around underneath the car if seemed fairlly clear it was the aux rad leaking. When I got the bumper off it was dripping quite badly. It seemed to go from fine to leaking very quickly in my case

[toyneg]

How desperate is this job to get sorted saying it is aux rad?