Aux Rads!!!!!!

[infrasilver]

I noticed in the last couple of days that my O/S Aux Rad is leaking into the undertray of my car and onto the floor around the wheel. It was fitted with both rads by Audi in June 2007 and seems very soon to have to change them again. I know there is a problem with these rads but its bad to have to swap them out every 3 years. Just think when the car is 15 years old they will of been replaced 5 times if things carry on like this.

ANOTHER job to add to my list!!!!

[nihc]

Hi,

I bought my S4 Cab at 1 year old and have had no problems after 4 years apart from a rear parking sensor.
I drive it very hard all of the time.
I know that a few people have had aux rad problems, but its not a general fault. Maybe a bad batch at the factory or something like that - or not having anti-corosive anti-freeze in, maybe?

I would guess that the anti-freeze installed after the installation was cheap

Regards, chris.

[xyber]

Can't go wrong with G12++ coolant, cheap enough but garages still sneak in cheap stuff

[quattrokid1]

when we got our S4 cab last June I asked them to check aux rads when they did the big service prior to us collecting it..... rads are fine sir..... soon find out we're loosing coolant, go back get them checked... not rad leaking.... hmm !!! anyway when Grizz fitted the exhaust for me I asked him to have a wee look around.... your passenger side aux rad it leaking here... look.... bollocks, go back to dealer and tell the exactly where the leak is... oh yea so it is !!

I insisted on both rads and hoses being changed under the warranty, so that was the case, been fine since.....

fingers X'ed

[infrasilver]

I would of thought an Audi dealer would of used G12 anyway when they replaced the rads. I have never had to top up the coolant myself yet so I am not sure if it has been topped up with inferior coolant but it doesn't loose anything so it should not of been topped up much in its time.

What would a reasonable time to claim it under warranty be, as it is coming up to 3 years in June since Audi Slough fitted them.

Just looked at the original invoice when they fitted the rads and they only charged £5.57 for 9800359COOLADD1 (is this G12) so this doesn't sound like they flushed the system and only topped it up.

[P_G]

It's not always internal corrosion. One of my aux rads went in 2.5 years of ownership because I had not cleared out the ventilation ducts to them and an assortment of leaves and winter crud had accumulated enough to corrode outside in.

Always pressure wash out the ducts when you wash your car and then have the excuse to take it for a drive for the water to be forced out rather than sitting in the ducts and clean up your brakes to prevent them surface oxidising after washing your car.

Nothing worse than a gleaming car and rusty discs!

[infrasilver]

I have coincidently been under the car today to investigate the rads and also the left engine mount as Audi couldn't get me booked in until the 17th of May and with there also being an Airbag problem I wanted everything done sooner rather than later.
The leak from the rad only lasted for about 10 days then stopped and whilst looking at the lower pipe going to the O/S rad today it looks like a small build up of white crud around the joining of the two. I had a good look around the rad itself and it all looks good and there is no debrit around the front of them both. I think the hose clip wasn't in its exact place as it looked as though it was mounted on the raised part of the pipe rather than past it to create a good seal. Fingers crossed its all fixed now.

[infrasilver]

Had a leak at the front O/S again today and realised it was windscreen washer fluid as I had put the blue colour stuff in instead of the usual pink colour which is the same as my antifreeze. I found it leaking to the base of my Aux rad but knew it was washer fluid this time.
Took my headlight out to check the headlight washers and found it is the washer jets assembly that are leaking. So I need to order one of those now but at least I now know its not the Rad.

[infrasilver]

Collected the headlight washer jet from Audi this morning and it was £65! Not the cheapest part in the world.