Low Coolant Level. 16k miles.. Normal? So i am told.

[Espo]

Hey guys,

So today I turned on my car and it told me that my coolant level was low. This is was pretty odd considering I only have 16,000 miles on the car. I added more Audi antifreeze and I haven't noticed any leaks at all. The dealer service dept told me that this is normal. This is my 1st Audi, so I wouldn't know, but it seems a bit odd. Im going to bring it in tomorrow, but should I be alarmed or has this happened to anyone before?

[ShadowA4]

I started a similar thread in another forum some time back. I had pretty much the same issue but, I was never given an actual warning on the dash. Just popped the hood one day and noted the coolant level under Min. (Do take note that the coolant level goes up once the car is at temp). I was told to check for leaks because the coolant runs on a closed system that shouldn’t be missing any fluid. No leaks, no messages. Just added some G12 Audi coolant and no problems since. Even on a closed loop the outside temp has to have an effect on the levels IMO, because this happened in the middle of last years blazing Texas summer. I’m sure someone with more experience and similar situation will chime in soon.

[Crucible35]

It may be the notorious water pump. I had the same issue just before my 25,000 Kms maintenance and they replaced the water pump indicating that it is a known problem in some of our vehicles. There were no puddles under my car prior, but did notice the drop in the coolant level....below minimum. Apparently there is a faulty gasket that is prone to leaks.

[k9lovr]

Guess I should check mine....

[Cherub]

It may be the notorious water pump. I had the same issue just before my 25,000 Kms maintenance and they replaced the water pump indicating that it is a known problem in some of our vehicles. There were no puddles under my car prior, but did notice the drop in the coolant level....below minimum. Apparently there is a faulty gasket that is prone to leaks.

:-0 Water Pump/Faullty gasket? 2 days ago I noticed the coolant about 1" below the min level and thought to just add some and all will be fine. But reading this now, makes me wonder. I'm going to push for a new water pump as well. Thanks for the info.

[mnemons]

I got this warning message this morning. Since I could not get Audi G12 coolant from dealers on Xmas eve, I had to top it off with distilled water as Manual said. Should I be concerned? Should I go to dealer immediately after Xmas to ask for G12 in case I diluted coolant with too much water? (My car is at 34400 miles now.)

[khtjj]

My car is at 24500 miles right now and today morning a warning message came up saying "Turn off the engine and check the coolant level." I brought it to the dealers and they said I need water pump replaced. Really odd... at 24500 miles.. I thought... But from reading threads, it looks like it's somewhat usual in Audi?

[neptunesfinest]

From what I've read, the water pump is a big problem on the S4 as well. I'm definitely going to keep an eye on mine.

[k9lovr]

Just checked mine and it is at the min level. I have to take it in for the leaking cam cover issue and an oil change next week and I am having them check the coolant as well

[naemcivic]

my coolant inlet lines to the turbo were replaced @ 16km. the leak was hard to notice. but it will drain the coolant from the resorvoir 1-2 finger widths every week.

[Smurfs]

I had the misfortune of seeing "Turn off the engine and check the coolant level" this morning. I have 11,500 miles on the car.

My level was way below the minimum line and have never noticed a leak. Car sat in my garage all weekend and not a single drop on the floor.

Anyone else having this issue? I don't see many people on this thread to say this is prevalent. I am going to the dealer in 2 days, lets see what they say.

[k9lovr]

I had mine into the dealership and they topped it off and said there were no leaks found....so where is it going? Does not seem normal or ok.

[Smurfs]

I had mine into the dealership and they topped it off and said there were no leaks found....so where is it going? Does not seem normal or ok.

It shouldn't dissipate because from what limited knowledge I have, this is a closed system. I hope to get a better answer from the dealer (not holding my breath).

[mnemons]

My dealer pressure-tested the coolant system, topped it off and told me no leaks. When I asked about the notion of "closed system," the SA told me it's normal and the repair bill shows: "the car is at factory spec."

[ms3008]

My coolant level was consistently below min a while back. I topped it up and after a few weeks, it would drop back to the same level. I never did get a warning light though. And there was nothing on the garage floor.

When I brought it in for scheduled maintenance, the technician found a leak in one of the rubber seals/rings while doing the routine inspection.

[Crucible35]

^^^ exactly what happened to me. No leaks, coolant level below minimum and was told gasket leak. They replaced the water pump and it's been fine ever since.....about 30,000 kms now.

[k9lovr]

It shouldn't dissipate because from what limited knowledge I have, this is a closed system. I hope to get a better answer from the dealer (not holding my breath).

Completely agree....this car seems to consume a lot of fluids (oil and coolant) while still being in "Factory spec" which makes me nervous and skeptical at the same time.

[Smurfs]

Dropped off the "truth in engineering" at the dealer and the service person said that it's most likely the falsely engineered water pump (known issue). They are going to replace it but will know for sure tomorrow.

[naemcivic]

Turn to page 84 in February 2011's Car and Driver and it says that in the 40K MY09 B8 A4 test vehicle that were in their fleet, a recall for the coolant-supply line were preformed. This line was also replaced on my vehicle; this is the supply line to the turbo. This leak really creeps up on the owner, it takes a week or two for it to leak a finger width or two to be apparent in the coolant reservoir; by the time the owner would notice the coolant lost, the coolant would be evaporated by the heat of the turbo.

[Smurfs]

Turn to page 84 in February 2011's Car and Driver and it says that in the 40K MY09 B8 A4 test vehicle that were in their fleet, a recall for the coolant-supply line were preformed. This line was also replaced on my vehicle; this is the supply line to the turbo. This leak really creeps up on the owner, it takes a week or two for it to leak a finger width or two to be apparent in the coolant reservoir; by the time the owner would notice the coolant lost, the coolant would be evaporated by the heat of the turbo.

Good to know, thanks. I'll ask them about it next week. I have to wait 1 week while the dealership orders the water pump from Germany (apparently no water pumps in the US).

I was given a '09 A4 quattro and can't wait to get my zippy CVT back. I guess I can deal with this heavier car for few more days.

[A5MD]

Haven't checked mine but is this issue with MY09's only? Anyone have a MY10 thats having this issue?

[mnemons]

[update] I have been checking coolant level every week since the Xmas episode (previous post). This morning, the coolant has been dropped below MIN after 2 months. So I stopped by dealer and was told water pump and thermostat need to be replaced. Now, I am waiting for the parts.

[MilesM]

I've noticed that mine has been below MIN for about a week. I was planning on waiting till the 15k service to ask the dealership about it (I'm at 11k). Should I address it immediately or wait?

[Smurfs]

They replaced my water pump about a month ago. I checked my coolant level yesterday and it's below minimum. I am monitoring it to see if they just didn't fill it all the way (max) or it's still leaking. As naemcivic mentioned above the supply line to turbo could also be a problem.

[Crucible35]

Bump for this thread.....got the message "check coolant level" and my coolant is well below the minimum. It's Sunday and I'm not sure I can get any coolant here in Canada at Can Tire or elsewhere. Is it OK to top off with water? Manual says it's OK to do so.....but from reading through these threads I'm a scpetic! I was planning to bring this up at my 85,000 KM maintenance which is in about 1500 KMs. Any suggestions?? Is there an alternate "Audi safe" collant reqdily available at a Canadian Tore or similar?

[k9lovr]

Bump for this thread.....got the message "check coolant level" and my coolant is well below the minimum. It's Sunday and I'm not sure I can get any coolant here in Canada at Can Tire or elsewhere. Is it OK to top off with water? Manual says it's OK to do so.....but from reading through these threads I'm a scpetic! I was planning to bring this up at my 85,000 KM maintenance which is in about 1500 KMs. Any suggestions?? Is there an alternate "Audi safe" collant reqdily available at a Canadian Tore or similar?

Noticed a coolant leak this morning while changing the oil...Coming from the drivers side below the throttle body. I have an appointment for Tuesday morning...here are a pic...sorry about the size...any idea what this is? thermostat?

[coolwater]

I had a bad pump replaced about 10months ago.
Hard to miss the pool of antifreeze in my driveway.

-cW

[k9lovr]

Was the leak coming from the drivers side? I am not too familiar with the set up of this car yet in terms of where the water pump is located and where the thermostat, coolant lines etc..Thanks

[coolwater]

It was on passenger side where it was dripping through the belly pan.
-cW

[sdy101]

Did any of you smell coolant when you got our of the car and walked near the hood? I just traded my B7 for a 2009 with 37k miles and have noticed this. Will likely investigate this more soon when I have a chance, or may just take it to the dealer. I've also noticed I have the infamous steering wheel vibration at low speeds.

[k9lovr]

Never smelled coolant when I got out just noticed it dripping when changing the oil. The dealership called me and let me know that the water pump housing was leaking and therefore they were replacing the water pump and it should be done today. Again this leak was from the drivers side below the throttle body.

[B8A42010]

I too had a water pump leak and needed it replaced at 30k miles. under warranty of course.