Cracked Coolant Reservoir Tank, Ok to drive for about 20-30 miles?

[subtl3dilig3nc3]

Hello all,

I opened my hood tonight and found a cracked coolant reservoir tank. I was about 8 miles drive away from where I live.
I took the risky decision to drive my 2006 A4 2.0 home. To my surprise, as I got home the coolant level stays the same,
although when I press my finger to the crack I can feel the coolant is leaking out.

My question is would it be ok for me to drive the car through the weekend for short drives around 30 miles.
I have an appointment for a service this coming Monday morning, and would like to just be able to fix it then.

Thank you so much

[evo_ski]

Pick up some jb weld quick set at a hardware store and slather it on the crack. Should be good to go to drive around for a long time if not permanently.

[subtl3dilig3nc3]

Pick up some jb weld quick set at a hardware store and slather it on the crack. Should be good to go to drive around for a long time if not permanently.

Do I need to flush the coolant first?

[evo_ski]

Nope. I had a hairline crack in my tank as well and limped by with that for a few weeks just fine. I could have left it, but was going on a few long drives and didn't want to risk having my fix crack on me. For the best adhesion grab some fairly rough 220ish or so sandpaper and scuff up the coolant tank a little. That will allow it to grip a bit better. Use the JB Weld quick dry (sets in like 5 minutes) and wait a few hours for it to fully cure and it will be good to go. JB Weld cures incredibly strong and it will last plenty long.

A coolant tank replacement should only cost about $30 total. I am local (bothell) and would be willing to help swap the tank. Should only take about 20 minutes as long as you have the part.

[subtl3dilig3nc3]

Nope. I had a hairline crack in my tank as well and limped by with that for a few weeks just fine. I could have left it, but was going on a few long drives and didn't want to risk having my fix crack on me. For the best adhesion grab some fairly rough 220ish or so sandpaper and scuff up the coolant tank a little. That will allow it to grip a bit better. Use the JB Weld quick dry (sets in like 5 minutes) and wait a few hours for it to fully cure and it will be good to go. JB Weld cures incredibly strong and it will last plenty long.

A coolant tank replacement should only cost about $30 total. I am local (bothell) and would be willing to help swap the tank. Should only take about 20 minutes as long as you have the part.

I'll try the JB Weld tomorrow, my work is super close from a part store. Thanks so much for offering to help, but I might just going to replace it Monday. I have an appointment at Stones in Ballard.

But nice to find someone local that is knowledgeable, still pretty new with Audi so definitely will have plenty of questions in the future if you don't mind.

[evo_ski]

Absolutely. There are lots of great people in the Seattle area that would be more than willing to help I am sure if you have questions in the future.

[evo_ski]

One last thing that you probably know already. DO NOT under any circumstances remove the coolant tank cap shortly after driving. It will shoot hot coolant out.

If you wait 20-30 minutes you are ok to do it, but you must do it extremely slowly. The caps on our tanks have a pressure relief valve, so if you do a 180 degree turn about once every 15 seconds it will release air pressure slowly until you are able to take the cap off. Once you twist it loose enough it will bubble and hiss and spit a teeny bit and then all the pressure will be out of the system and you can take the cap off no problem after that.

That being said, if you are not low on coolant there is really no reason you would need to take the cap off anyway.

[Ashtonts]

I wouldn't go to the dealer or the shop to replace the tank haha. It's like a $15 part and takes maybe a half hour, but that's just me.


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[69bugs]

Go to a junk yard and get a replacement tank. I got a reservior cap for $2 and a coil pack for $15. Both were OEM


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[Luxus Panzer]

This thread makes me think of the time I sealed a rad with JB weld to get home 500KM.

I think I will add a stick of "putty" JB weld and some sand paper (to ensure patch gets a "tooth") to my trunk emergency kit.

JB weld is good stuff :)