Water Leak!

[gavsteryoung]

Well, as always 4 days before im due to go on holiday, my car decides its time for a water leak.....

I wonder if you guys can give some advice!

I was worried that at first it maybe head gasket failure but after searching many Audi forums, it seems like this doesnt happen.

I have been looking for water on the ground, but except for the aircon, I have seen nothing.

But today I saw a drip at the back of the engine cover underneath and sure enough it was Red! I can only think that most of it evaperates before it gets to the ground.

So my question is, is there any pipe that particularly causes a problem on the backend of the engine. With a torch I can see a small puddle of water sitting on the strut that runs across the back of the engine.....

I'm supposed to take the car to france on Friday so your help is appreciated...

[Nige_RS4]

Could be the after-run pump - this is prone to leaking, as it doesn't get used much, so siezes.

Nige.

[Dippy]

I agree with Nige. The afterrun pump sits in the 'V' of the engine and has water pipes going to it. The sensor that drives the pump sits on a pipe which runs along the back of the engine. The article at http://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng59.shtml might help you search for the leak.

My afterrun pump is controlled by my turbo timer so it gets used quite often.

[gavsteryoung]

Cheers, guys,

Took it to my local VW dealer (they used to be Audi/VW) they had a quick look and identified a small leak on a pipe going onto one of the turbos.

Now does that make sence, are the turbos called by water. They are 99% sure that the leak wont get any worse, so im taking it to France and have it booked in when I return.

Dont know if this is wise of me or not but I will take some water and anti freeze along just in case.

[Dippy]

Yes the turbos are watercooled. I guess you will be safe, just keep an eye on your water level. I think they have water in France too so you don't really need to take your own.

[gavsteryoung]

Ok, Back that up, looks like you guys are the God's and VW/Audi were barking up the wrong tree.... I've had a good look and the water is running down the back of engine block and it just happens to lose a little onto those pipes......

I peered down into the deeps of the engine, were the afterrun pump is and its wet in there...... So this points to what you guys said all along....

So what is it that happens down in the deeps, does a pipe perish, come lose or is it the actual pump that leaks the water....

Do you think this would have been brought on by the hot weather.....

and will it get worse?

im in termoil now, im going on holiday tomorrow, but should I risk it, or organise another car?

what do you think?

Is this gonna be expensive to fix?

[gavsteryoung]

Ok had yet another look, I can see the seem on the pump has a white residue, and the very back of the pump also looks moist, (I hate that word).....

So its a new After run pump, question is, will this get worse or just keep dribbling out!!!

[Pete.S]

I had the same fault this week (see other post). After diagnosing this "after run" pump (or whatever it's called) as the problem, my dealer booked the car in for a couple of days later, suggesting it should be fine as long as I kept an eye on the coolant level, with no questions asked as to the mileage I might stack up in the meantime. So, I would tentatively suggest you'll be ok. The temperature warning light on the S4 seems pretty accurate and useful too: it warned me just as the coolant level had slipped below the minimum level both on this occasion, and when the main pump failed a couple of weeks back, so you'll get plenty of warning.

However I will not be held responsible for 2 overheated turbos or a spouse with her gun to your head....

[gavsteryoung]

Well I've found the leak, below the electrical connector that plugs into the pump. Damn thing, cant believe it decided to let go now!

I am getting a drip about every minute....

Now I would have thought that this end of the pump should be sealed from the water flow, so im guessing some kind of seal must have broken on the shaft of the pump..... so hopefully it will stay a slow drip......

it seems to happen more when the engine is switched of and its very hot!

Pete, I'd be interested how much this little lot costs.....

[excursion]

The car will be fine without the pump functioning, (not all turbo cars have this useful feature anyway).

If I were you I would take an 'emergency repair kit' away with you. Some antifreeze, a length of hose, two hose tails & some jubilee clips will be perfect, so if the worst comes to the worst you can remove the pump and temporarily bridge the hose. This will be fine for the duration of your holiday

[Dippy]

If you want to ensure that the pump doesn't run, remove the connector to the temperature sensor. Then make sure that let the car cool down a bit before switching off (which you should do for a turbo car anyway).

[gavsteryoung]

Hey guys, thanks for all your advice before I went on holiday.....

Your be pleased to hear that the S4 was faultless.... the water leak cleared up and the car was awesome...... will get the pump changed soon....

Managed not to get stopped by the police...... and the french people I took out in my car could not believe how quick it was..... did Audi even bother to sell the S4 in france.....?

Felt a little down on power tho, but put this down to the 33degree temp in the shade.....