Emergency coolant problem
 

I've got a 99.5 V6 A4 Quattro. 100k miles, timing chain and water pump
changed at 80k. Oil recently changed by a new shop--good rep, but
unknown competence to me.

I've got to drive 400 miles tommorow and just today discovered that
the coolant level in the tank is quite low, perhaps 1.5 inches below
the minimum mark with engine cold. Normal temp readings, no warnings
during running.

I thought I had been smelling coolant on occasion but put it off
stupidly till finally noticing the low level today. Must be a leak,
but can I get away with topping off with Prestone Extended life or
Havoline Dex-cool or whatever to get through this trip, then have my
shop fully address the prob upon return? Should I dilute 50/50 with
water for that small top off quantity?
Dave

Re: Emergency coolant problem
 

Safe thing is to just add plain water, the VW/Audi antifreezes can gel if
they are mixed with something incompatible.

Coolant loss might be a heater core failure.

"DaveH" <ddhartwick@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:a8rbo2t1o1e5no0l49q7jl4h5s7dno8cb4@4ax.com...
> I've got a 99.5 V6 A4 Quattro. 100k miles, timing chain and water pump
> changed at 80k. Oil recently changed by a new shop--good rep, but
> unknown competence to me.
>
> I've got to drive 400 miles tommorow and just today discovered that
> the coolant level in the tank is quite low, perhaps 1.5 inches below
> the minimum mark with engine cold. Normal temp readings, no warnings
> during running.
>
> I thought I had been smelling coolant on occasion but put it off
> stupidly till finally noticing the low level today. Must be a leak,
> but can I get away with topping off with Prestone Extended life or
> Havoline Dex-cool or whatever to get through this trip, then have my
> shop fully address the prob upon return? Should I dilute 50/50 with
> water for that small top off quantity?
> Dave
>
>

Re: Emergency coolant problem
 

Safe thing is to just add plain water, the VW/Audi antifreezes can gel if
they are mixed with something incompatible.

Coolant loss might be a heater core failure.

"DaveH" <ddhartwick@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:a8rbo2t1o1e5no0l49q7jl4h5s7dno8cb4@4ax.com...
> I've got a 99.5 V6 A4 Quattro. 100k miles, timing chain and water pump
> changed at 80k. Oil recently changed by a new shop--good rep, but
> unknown competence to me.
>
> I've got to drive 400 miles tommorow and just today discovered that
> the coolant level in the tank is quite low, perhaps 1.5 inches below
> the minimum mark with engine cold. Normal temp readings, no warnings
> during running.
>
> I thought I had been smelling coolant on occasion but put it off
> stupidly till finally noticing the low level today. Must be a leak,
> but can I get away with topping off with Prestone Extended life or
> Havoline Dex-cool or whatever to get through this trip, then have my
> shop fully address the prob upon return? Should I dilute 50/50 with
> water for that small top off quantity?
> Dave
>
>

Re: Emergency coolant problem
 

Safe thing is to just add plain water, the VW/Audi antifreezes can gel if
they are mixed with something incompatible.

Coolant loss might be a heater core failure.

"DaveH" <ddhartwick@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:a8rbo2t1o1e5no0l49q7jl4h5s7dno8cb4@4ax.com...
> I've got a 99.5 V6 A4 Quattro. 100k miles, timing chain and water pump
> changed at 80k. Oil recently changed by a new shop--good rep, but
> unknown competence to me.
>
> I've got to drive 400 miles tommorow and just today discovered that
> the coolant level in the tank is quite low, perhaps 1.5 inches below
> the minimum mark with engine cold. Normal temp readings, no warnings
> during running.
>
> I thought I had been smelling coolant on occasion but put it off
> stupidly till finally noticing the low level today. Must be a leak,
> but can I get away with topping off with Prestone Extended life or
> Havoline Dex-cool or whatever to get through this trip, then have my
> shop fully address the prob upon return? Should I dilute 50/50 with
> water for that small top off quantity?
> Dave
>
>

Re: Emergency coolant problem
 

Safe thing is to just add plain water, the VW/Audi antifreezes can gel if
they are mixed with something incompatible.

Coolant loss might be a heater core failure.

"DaveH" <ddhartwick@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:a8rbo2t1o1e5no0l49q7jl4h5s7dno8cb4@4ax.com...
> I've got a 99.5 V6 A4 Quattro. 100k miles, timing chain and water pump
> changed at 80k. Oil recently changed by a new shop--good rep, but
> unknown competence to me.
>
> I've got to drive 400 miles tommorow and just today discovered that
> the coolant level in the tank is quite low, perhaps 1.5 inches below
> the minimum mark with engine cold. Normal temp readings, no warnings
> during running.
>
> I thought I had been smelling coolant on occasion but put it off
> stupidly till finally noticing the low level today. Must be a leak,
> but can I get away with topping off with Prestone Extended life or
> Havoline Dex-cool or whatever to get through this trip, then have my
> shop fully address the prob upon return? Should I dilute 50/50 with
> water for that small top off quantity?
> Dave
>
>

Re: Emergency coolant problem
 

Safe thing is to just add plain water, the VW/Audi antifreezes can gel if
they are mixed with something incompatible.

Coolant loss might be a heater core failure.

"DaveH" <ddhartwick@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:a8rbo2t1o1e5no0l49q7jl4h5s7dno8cb4@4ax.com...
> I've got a 99.5 V6 A4 Quattro. 100k miles, timing chain and water pump
> changed at 80k. Oil recently changed by a new shop--good rep, but
> unknown competence to me.
>
> I've got to drive 400 miles tommorow and just today discovered that
> the coolant level in the tank is quite low, perhaps 1.5 inches below
> the minimum mark with engine cold. Normal temp readings, no warnings
> during running.
>
> I thought I had been smelling coolant on occasion but put it off
> stupidly till finally noticing the low level today. Must be a leak,
> but can I get away with topping off with Prestone Extended life or
> Havoline Dex-cool or whatever to get through this trip, then have my
> shop fully address the prob upon return? Should I dilute 50/50 with
> water for that small top off quantity?
> Dave
>
>

Re: Emergency coolant problem
 

Safe thing is to just add plain water, the VW/Audi antifreezes can gel if
they are mixed with something incompatible.

Coolant loss might be a heater core failure.

"DaveH" <ddhartwick@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:a8rbo2t1o1e5no0l49q7jl4h5s7dno8cb4@4ax.com...
> I've got a 99.5 V6 A4 Quattro. 100k miles, timing chain and water pump
> changed at 80k. Oil recently changed by a new shop--good rep, but
> unknown competence to me.
>
> I've got to drive 400 miles tommorow and just today discovered that
> the coolant level in the tank is quite low, perhaps 1.5 inches below
> the minimum mark with engine cold. Normal temp readings, no warnings
> during running.
>
> I thought I had been smelling coolant on occasion but put it off
> stupidly till finally noticing the low level today. Must be a leak,
> but can I get away with topping off with Prestone Extended life or
> Havoline Dex-cool or whatever to get through this trip, then have my
> shop fully address the prob upon return? Should I dilute 50/50 with
> water for that small top off quantity?
> Dave
>
>

Re: Emergency coolant problem
 

Safe thing is to just add plain water, the VW/Audi antifreezes can gel if
they are mixed with something incompatible.

Coolant loss might be a heater core failure.

"DaveH" <ddhartwick@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:a8rbo2t1o1e5no0l49q7jl4h5s7dno8cb4@4ax.com...
> I've got a 99.5 V6 A4 Quattro. 100k miles, timing chain and water pump
> changed at 80k. Oil recently changed by a new shop--good rep, but
> unknown competence to me.
>
> I've got to drive 400 miles tommorow and just today discovered that
> the coolant level in the tank is quite low, perhaps 1.5 inches below
> the minimum mark with engine cold. Normal temp readings, no warnings
> during running.
>
> I thought I had been smelling coolant on occasion but put it off
> stupidly till finally noticing the low level today. Must be a leak,
> but can I get away with topping off with Prestone Extended life or
> Havoline Dex-cool or whatever to get through this trip, then have my
> shop fully address the prob upon return? Should I dilute 50/50 with
> water for that small top off quantity?
> Dave
>
>

Re: Emergency coolant problem
 

Safe thing is to just add plain water, the VW/Audi antifreezes can gel if
they are mixed with something incompatible.

Coolant loss might be a heater core failure.

"DaveH" <ddhartwick@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:a8rbo2t1o1e5no0l49q7jl4h5s7dno8cb4@4ax.com...
> I've got a 99.5 V6 A4 Quattro. 100k miles, timing chain and water pump
> changed at 80k. Oil recently changed by a new shop--good rep, but
> unknown competence to me.
>
> I've got to drive 400 miles tommorow and just today discovered that
> the coolant level in the tank is quite low, perhaps 1.5 inches below
> the minimum mark with engine cold. Normal temp readings, no warnings
> during running.
>
> I thought I had been smelling coolant on occasion but put it off
> stupidly till finally noticing the low level today. Must be a leak,
> but can I get away with topping off with Prestone Extended life or
> Havoline Dex-cool or whatever to get through this trip, then have my
> shop fully address the prob upon return? Should I dilute 50/50 with
> water for that small top off quantity?
> Dave
>
>

Re: Emergency coolant problem
 

and take some spare gallons of water with you on your 400 mile trip!
The coolant/water should not freeze if the engine is keeping it hot! ;-)

"No Spam Please" <Justsaynoto@spam.com> wrote in message
news:12oc7osl168gb04@corp.supernews.com...
> Safe thing is to just add plain water, the VW/Audi antifreezes can gel if
> they are mixed with something incompatible.
>
> Coolant loss might be a heater core failure.
>
> "DaveH" <ddhartwick@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:a8rbo2t1o1e5no0l49q7jl4h5s7dno8cb4@4ax.com...
>> I've got a 99.5 V6 A4 Quattro. 100k miles, timing chain and water pump
>> changed at 80k. Oil recently changed by a new shop--good rep, but
>> unknown competence to me.
>>
>> I've got to drive 400 miles tommorow and just today discovered that
>> the coolant level in the tank is quite low, perhaps 1.5 inches below
>> the minimum mark with engine cold. Normal temp readings, no warnings
>> during running.
>>
>> I thought I had been smelling coolant on occasion but put it off
>> stupidly till finally noticing the low level today. Must be a leak,
>> but can I get away with topping off with Prestone Extended life or
>> Havoline Dex-cool or whatever to get through this trip, then have my
>> shop fully address the prob upon return? Should I dilute 50/50 with
>> water for that small top off quantity?
>> Dave
>>
>>
>
>
>