Hi guys, hoping you can help me before I take my 2002 A4 1.8T into the dealership to get fleeced!

Car has 165,000 km's.

About a month ago the coolant light came on so I picked up a container and topped it up - had to keep topping up for a month and went through a full container. No coolant puddles on the driveway so don't think it's a leak - there is however a serious burning smell coming from the engine compartment.

Just wondering if anyone can give me an idea of what it might be - going to take it into the dealership to be fixed but would like to sound like I know what it might be so they don't grab me by the you-know-whats!

Thanks

 

i have a 2004 and had the same issue.
First time there was a leak, (j plug) going to engine line
Second time, it was a crack in the rad- had to replace it
Make sure you dont over-heat
Take it to the dealership asap

 

the j plug was the problem on my 03 quatro as well, why the hell dont they just put a threaded plug in there? i wonder sometimes

 

Don't get fleeced in dealership man. Your car is out of warranty. Where in bc are you?
Take it to either of these shops and it'll be way cheaper.

Home Page | www.shiftautosportonline.com in burnaby
Blitzkrieg Autowerks | in vancouver
https://pgperformance.com/home.php in surrey

 

Maybe check the coolant expansion tank as they can crack and cause slow leaks. Heater cores can fail and if you smell coolant when the heat is on then that could be it. Also pull the spark plugs to see and check for grey flaky deposits on the electrodes. This could mean a leaky head gasket. Lastly you should be able to tell if something is leaking in the engine compartment just by checking for hoses etc for leaks.

 

hey nhpearlA4, we have the same car

 

Looks like this is your water pump leaking. It is located at the front of the engine and under the cover so you can not see it. You do not have a puddle under the car because the fluid leaks and is contained under the cover and than evaporates.
This is a big job as they will want to replace your timing belt, tensioners, the pump itself and the seal. TOTAL 3,000.00.
You need to do it because you will have no heat in the car shortly and right now take a look at your oil temperature. It will get worse.

PS
What coolant have you used?
If it was not AUDI approved FLUSH the whole system immediately, PLEASE!

 

If you're paying 3 grand to get a timing belt job done (which almost always includes a water pump replacement) you're getting RIPPED OFF. You should be able to get this done for well under half that amount.

Also the water pump is one of a hundred possible spots where you could be losing coolant. I'm not convinced at all that the leak is there, but it's not super difficult to check, it is a pain in the *** though. You do need to pull the accessory belt and the timing belt cover, if there is coolant present or remenants of dried up coolant then that pretty much will tell you if it's there. If you're going to go that far you may as well replace the belts and pump anyway.

Get the car up to temp and check the oil temp vs. the coolant temp (you'll need a vag-com).

 

yeah don't pay 3000 for a timing belt job. Half that is ok.

 

try checking the banjo bolt and copper washer on which attaches the coolant pipe to the turbo.