shaanomar

Hi guys I need some help/advice.

My car is an Audi a6 quattro 2001 2.8 AWD, automatic, 142 000KM.

Here is the problem: Few months back the antifreeze/coolant container was leaking slightly.. Few drops a day. So I tightened the tube that goes to the radiator because it wasn't tight enough. However, it would still leak like few drops a day and within one week the container would empty. So I saw the radiator was leaking a bit too.

I then bought this stop leak fluid: Bar's Radiator Stop Leak

It stopped all leaks for about 3 months. And today morning the weather was -21 degrees. I drove for 20 minutes and all liquid that was in the container drained and also got out through the radiator.

I put all the anti-freeze/coolant liquid I had left and managed to reach home. Then I went to a Canadian Tire store I bought anti-freeze liquid and Bar's Leak Block Seal Intake&Radiator Stop Leak. I followed the steps. I put that liquid and some coolant in the container and I warmed the engine for 5 minutes and then let it rest for 5 hours and I came back to check and both liquid had disappeared from the container. I put some more anti-freeze/coolant liquid up to MINIMUM limit at first it seemed to stay for couple of minutes but as I put heat and the engine was running after 15 minutes it drained completely.

Please try to help me. I am a bit tight on my budget right now. I would consider going to the mechanic after trying any other way possible if there is.

Note: Warm wind does not blow when I turn heat on it's only cold wind

Thanks in advance.

cyrusli

if the coolant had drained out and you refilled it through the resevoir, there may be air in the system. I would strongly suggest you visit a mechanic to flush whatever is left in the coolant system and redo the coolant. While they are at it, check where the leaks are. It probably is just the plug being corroded, or worse case scenario, a flange or gasket is leaking.

Definitely get the air out of the system first before harm is done to the engine. Your engine needs proper cooling, air is not a good cooling agent unfortuntely.

shaanomar

Thanks for your response. I put some more coolant this morning to move the car. It drained within 2 minutes. The temperature outside was -18 degree Celsius.

When i lifted the hood while the engine is running i saw a kind of tube that seems broken or unplugged. Anyhow I will take it to the mechanic tomorrow.

I had a question.. The mechanic is 10 min by drive from my home. Is it safe that I put some coolant and drive it there?

Thanks again.

cyrusli

is it possible to reattach the tube that's unplugged?

It's not the best idea to drive it if yuo know it will eventually all leak out. However, that may be the only option: top up the resevoir and drive to to the mechanic. the only other option is to get it towed.

my2cents

shaanomar

I will try to re attach the tube that seems broken or unplugged its seem to be one of the 2-3 tubes that directs to the radiator. However, I need to go under the car to reach it.

Yes I could top up the reservoir. The towing option isn't the preferred one lol

shaanomar

Hi Cyrusli,

I tried to reach the broken hose I couldn't reach it. I put the coolant and my engine had trouble starting this morning and the weather was less cold.. So I did start it and brought it to the garage. But as soon as I arrived at the garage I checked the coolant reservoir and it was empty kind of. But I do not see it leak or any drops on the street/snow..

However, the mechanic checked it out and the radiator has leak and the upper radiator hose was broken.. w w w (dot)partsgeek(dot)com/6nl3dj3-audi-a6-quattro-radiator-hose(dot)html

The part store was closed so he fixed the hose and put stop leak in radiator so that I could drive until monday at least. I told him monday I will buy the part myself. I drove until home and I let the engine run for 15 mins. The engine heated until 100 degree. And put the heat to max and the wind is cold. I turned off the engine I saw some smoke coming from the hood, I check and the coolant the mechanic put disappeared again.