Coolant below Min level in Reservoir after 3 years

[Gregory_Tolson]

Hi all, I just purchased my 2019 Audi A5 sportback with the 2.0t TFSI quattro engine back in October. The car has 19,000 miles on it. I didnt do my due diligence to see where the coolant was in comparison to the min/max line when i purchased the vehicle (I just saw that there was coolant in the reservoir). But looking at it recently it is below the Min line just a little bit. Curious if this is normal for this engine? I just bought some coolant online (very pricey for factory 50/50 mix of G12Evo coolant at $40 a gallon) so i can top it off. Coming from my 2014 ford fusion going 130,000 miles on it since new i rarely had any coolant loss. Tough to tell if the coolant is leaking somewhere, not seeing any signs.

[eightamrock]

I just topped mine off recently as well. These engines are known to have water pump and PCV valve leaks. If you are smelling the sweet smell of coolant when you turn the car off, chances are there is a leak. Otherwise, it could just be normal evaporation over time.

[Gregory_Tolson]

I just topped mine off recently as well. These engines are known to have water pump and PCV valve leaks. If you are smelling the sweet smell of coolant when you turn the car off, chances are there is a leak. Otherwise, it could just be normal evaporation over time.

Thank you for the info. Though i noticed you have the RS5 which is a completely different engine. This common with the 2.0t TFSI engine as well?

[kuroitenpi2]

This is common for the A5 B9. The water pump housing is plastic and starts leaking pretty early on. Had my water pump replaced at about 35k miles.

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[RMode]

The coolant slightly under min is not an issue. The level will rise once the system builds pressure. Once coolant drops below the sensor level, which is built in to the reservoir, that’s when the warning light on the dash will go off and at higher speeds you’ll notice coolant temp fluctuating, as air is now in the system. If you find yourself consistently refilling, that’s going to then be either the water pump itself or the housing, which also has the thermostat. Audi has extended the warranty on it. Had ours done a couple of months ago. 1 day job, not any big deal.

You can also use the “Euro” formula coolant sold at any major parts store. For the A5 so believe G12 or 13 are both fine. They are also backwards and forward compatible. Prediluted, about $20 a gallon. You won’t have any issues using it. Just don’t use tap water.


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[eightamrock]

Thank you for the info. Though i noticed you have the RS5 which is a completely different engine. This common with the 2.0t TFSI engine as well?

Yes, I had the same problem on my 16' S4, my 12' GTI, and my 19' Golf R. The audi/vw water pump issue is all engines for the most part.

[Gregory_Tolson]

This is common for the A5 B9. The water pump housing is plastic and starts leaking pretty early on. Had my water pump replaced at about 35k miles.

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Is it the gasket that fails? Or the actual plastic on the water pump develops a crack?

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The coolant slightly under min is not an issue. The level will rise once the system builds pressure. Once coolant drops below the sensor level, which is built in to the reservoir, that’s when the warning light on the dash will go off and at higher speeds you’ll notice coolant temp fluctuating, as air is now in the system. If you find yourself consistently refilling, that’s going to then be either the water pump itself or the housing, which also has the thermostat. Audi has extended the warranty on it. Had ours done a couple of months ago. 1 day job, not any big deal.

You can also use the “Euro” formula coolant sold at any major parts store. For the A5 so believe G12 or 13 are both fine. They are also backwards and forward compatible. Prediluted, about $20 a gallon. You won’t have any issues using it. Just don’t use tap water.


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Mine was under Min with the car running for a while, as well as after shutting it off.

[kuroitenpi2]

Is it the gasket that fails? Or the actual plastic on the water pump develops a crack?

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Mine was under Min with the car running for a while, as well as after shutting it off.

The housing cracks, unfortunately not just the gasket. A proposed class action suit against Audi was filed that includes the B9 A5.

https://www.classaction.org/news/201...-action-claims


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[RMode]

Is it the gasket that fails? Or the actual plastic on the water pump develops a crack?

- - - Updated - - -



Mine was under Min with the car running for a while, as well as after shutting it off.

Coolant levels rise and fall not only due to volume but pressure - and it’s a pressurized system. If the low coolant light isn’t on, you’re fine. But you can add a touch in there so it’s between mix and max. When the coolant leaks, you’ll smell it. On ours it began with a slow weeping. A little smell. Coolant light came on a few weeks later so it was obviously very minor then. I topped it off and told her to let me know as she drives it (I don’t use the car at all). A month later, the light came on again. Topped it. Then it got a little worse each week. I began checking it daily. Made an appt with my local audi Indy, who told me the issue after looking at the car, and he’s who told me about the extended coverage. Made an appt, they got the car in for me in a couple days, dropped it on a Tuesday, done Wednesday morning. Been fine ever since.


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[kuroitenpi2]

Coolant levels rise and fall not only due to volume but pressure - and it’s a pressurized system. If the low coolant light isn’t on, you’re fine. But you can add a touch in there so it’s between mix and max. When the coolant leaks, you’ll smell it. On ours it began with a slow weeping. A little smell. Coolant light came on a few weeks later so it was obviously very minor then. I topped it off and told her to let me know as she drives it (I don’t use the car at all). A month later, the light came on again. Topped it. Then it got a little worse each week. I began checking it daily. Made an appt with my local audi Indy, who told me the issue after looking at the car, and he’s who told me about the extended coverage. Made an appt, they got the car in for me in a couple days, dropped it on a Tuesday, done Wednesday morning. Been fine ever since.


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My coolant light never went off and I didn't smell coolant, just noticed the level was below the min level. My leak was small, but enough where the pressure test was low and you could see the corrosion on the housing. dcce61bec23fccdc7ea1524ab3c60bffd43e9b05.jpg

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