Problem!??! Sudden coolant loss

Newbie Joined: Nov 18, 2004 Posts: 3

Hi!

I have mysterious problem - as my garage here in Belgium puts it.....

I own a 1994 Audi cabriolet - V6 - 130.000Km and very happy with it too!! A great car!!

BUT have been having problems across the last 20,000 KM

I have sparodic and sudden collant loss - By this I mean that I can drive for ages/ Km's without any problem, as the week before last - drive for 2Km and the dreaded engine temp red light comes on - I check reserve coolant tank and it's empty!??! - refill with +- 4litres of prepared water and antifreeze - why prepared - because this has 'appened before!??! Then I can go OK for ages.....This has happened about 5 times across the last 20,000KM.

Garage has put the cooling system under pressure - in fact it's in the garage again today - to try and find out the cause of this problem - the reserve coolant tank has been replaced - Garage can't find a leak anywhere - They suspected blown head gasket (much to my shock!!!) - but the symtoms don't match - No oil in coolant - no water in oil - no massive plumes of smoke out of exhaust - no loss of power.

When this happens - the left side of the engine compartment is damp and particularly under the coolant reserve tank - but there doesn't appear to be a leak - even under pressure - and if there was - then this as well as a blown HG would be continuous/ on-going, I guess........This appears to be a sudden and random surge opf pressure......

Otherwise the cars running great - but it's worrying as to when this may occur again - and I'm worried about dlow damage that this may cause...

Anyway, anyone out there come across this problem before or can think of what the cause may be........

Any input would be greatly received.......

Anxious

Del Mad

Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 1:49 am

Hi Del, Do the fans come on, have you changed the thermostat and have you reverse flushed the system especially the radiator ?Bruce.

Newbie Joined: Nov 18, 2004 Posts: 3

Hi Bruce!

Many thanks for your reply and questions/ suggestions - All of which I can say yes to and at expense......

Since posting my problem I have had the system flushed (not sure about the "reverse" bit though) - garage put in some cleaning fluid which i had to drive around with for +- 200Km and then they flushed - I assume "reverse" - The coolant in reserve tank now looks clear etc. Whereas it was murky before - though no oil in it - So, now just waiting to see what happens - Have only done +- 600Km since flush - and pleased to say that all's well - touch wood!??!

I'm keeping an anxious eye out on the coolant level - everyday and after every drive - will also listen out for fan - but garage says that all this is fine - but you never know......damn annoying having this in the back of mind all the time whilst driving......

Anyway, many thanks for your (my first) reply and your suggestions - will post report once/ if all is OK

Greetings from Belgium

Del

UltraUser Joined: Jan 21, 2003 Posts: 4230

Change the coolant tank cap as a precaution as they have a pressure valve built in, it maybe a case of the cap being faulty and dumping coolant after a run Evil or Very Mad

Newbie Joined: Nov 18, 2004 Posts: 3

Hi Locomotion!

And thanks for input - Should have mentioned that I had expansion/ reserve coolant tank replaced at the first sign/ episode of this problem.....But still keeping a close eye on tank and cap.....

Reading the car manual it does say that the reserve/ expansion tank should only be filled to correct/ exact level - v6 - and if over full this could/ can cause expulsion due to too much pressure - Must say that garage filled reserve tank well above this previously - until i mentioned this and now it's filled as prescribed/ instructed - SO! just driving and waiting to see if everything that's been done till now solves the prob's

In the meantime driving like a dream.............

Thanks again

Del