**** Coolant Disappearing Mystery ****

[Altec-Racing]

Just as the title says, my beloved b6 usp is eating up coolant. I can't find a noticalbe leak, and the system is still holding pressure at least it seems that way when i pop the reseviour cap. I'm not over heating either. But the cars eating up about a liter per month and it smells like coolant when i pop the hood. any ideas/ trouble spots i should pay attention to?

Thanks

[HeymyAudi]

Dude I got the same problem..... I think its the rear coolant flange

[Altec-Racing]

are you talkin abou the flange on the overflow resivoir which holds it in place?

[HeymyAudi]

no its in the back of the head

[Altec-Racing]

i have heard a hissing sound from back there, but obviously i'm no mechanic. is this flange near the coolant temp sensor in the back of the head?

[AudiSeefu]

yep, coolant temp sensor is on top of the flange.

[slow&low]

I promise you it its the rear coolant flange. I just had the same problem with water dissappearing and the smell. Audi did a pressure test and it was the flange. I never saw the leak. It was a 2 hour job by myself but easy to do. The part should run you $27 but you will need 2-3 liters of coolant at $15 a pop. Use the diy and you should be good.

[DenverNoob]

I promise you it its the rear coolant flange. I just had the same problem with water dissappearing and the smell. Audi did a pressure test and it was the flange. I never saw the leak. It was a 2 hour job by myself but easy to do. The part should run you $27 but you will need 2-3 liters of coolant at $15 a pop. Use the diy and you should be good.

very possible...and most likely. also possible is a head gasket leak that isnt draining into the oil galleries. I had one of those...fun to fix for sure! couldnt find it for months.

[woofster]

I've had an experience with the coolant flange near the firewall of the engine on my old B5 and you can see coolant residue around the flange if you look carefully. Unfortunately, it's hard to really get a clear view of it.

[jcll2002]

my b6 also eats coolant like candy...

[fitch303]

check on the end tanks of the radiator, thats where mine is currently leaking.

[fergmonster]

if you park it in the garage, do you ever smell the coolant? Mine did this a year or so ago.....dealer replaced a plug? or seal? backside of the head i think. I believe he said it was a recall.... hope that helps

[J-jizzle]

This sounds like the problem I'm having. Now after some research I want to kick myself for not topping off with G12 but O well I have not seen any problems (knock on wood).

My question is, Should I take It to the dealer thats 1hour away and see if it is a recall or what is leaking? Or is it easy enough to find the leak myself and can I get the parts at Auto Zone with some coolant that will work just as good as G12(I heard there is G12 equivelent)?


Btw, the green coolent I added said It was good for all makes and all color coolants, is this not true for G12?

[AudiA4Turbo22]

^^anyone try this???? i had the same issue and there was never any residue from anything, but i had that rad smell, and there was a small leak in my radiator, only leaked while driving i guess, put a med tab in there and whamo, coolant never leaked again!

[capnjack52]

^^anyone try this???? i had the same issue and there was never any residue from anything, but i had that rad smell, and there was a small leak in my radiator, only leaked while driving i guess, put a med tab in there and whamo, coolant never leaked again!

Hi, first time posting on this board. I discovered a coolant leak on my 2004 A4 1.8t w/65k miles coming from a fitting on the black coolant pipe that runs above the intake manifold. Have any members experienced this? Ideas or solutions?

[diagnosticator]

check on the end tanks of the radiator, thats where mine is currently leaking.

2nd ^^!! My rad is seeping at the core tube end tank joint/s, just enough to smell, needs top-up ~weekly. Rad replacement required, about ~ $ 230 > $270+ OEM aftermarket channel.

[diagnosticator]

Hi, first time posting on this board. I discovered a coolant leak on my 2004 A4 1.8t w/65k miles coming from a fitting on the black coolant pipe that runs above the intake manifold. Have any members experienced this? Ideas or solutions?

The solution in your case, requires removing the fitting and replacing the sealing washer.

[fitch303]

2nd ^^!! My rad is seeping at the core tube end tank joint/s, just enough to smell, needs top-up ~weekly. Rad replacement required, about ~ $ 230 > $270+ OEM aftermarket channel.

just go to http://genuineaudiparts.com/ for the radiator, they are super fast with shipping and they write a little thank you note for the purchase.

[AudiRepair4Less]

Hi, first time posting on this board. I discovered a coolant leak on my 2004 A4 1.8t w/65k miles coming from a fitting on the black coolant pipe that runs above the intake manifold. Have any members experienced this? Ideas or solutions?

The quick and easy way to fix the coolant leak at the upper coolant pipe is to heat up a Flat head screwdriver with a Torch(just the tip of the screwdriver). The Reason why is the Bleeder screw is Plastic, and the tops brake off with the bottom half is still stuck in the pipe. So, you take the screwdriver(once it's glowing redish) and jam it into the bleeder screw till the Screwdriver is half way through.... hold it and wait for it to cool. Make sure that the screw driver is straight up from pipe, dont let it fall to the side. Onces it cool down, just turn it to the left and unscrew. If you did not go far enough down, repeat till it comes free. (good idea is to leave cap to res. on, and the car must be cool to touch before removal) The screwdriver and plastic must cool before turning, or u may mess up this removal tip.... I advise to have the new bleeder screw on hand before removing old one. if you have any problems PM me thanks....

[DenverNoob]

The quick and easy way to fix the coolant leak at the upper coolant pipe is to heat up a Flat head screwdriver with a Torch(just the tip of the screwdriver). The Reason why is the Bleeder screw is Plastic, and the tops brake off with the bottom half is still stuck in the pipe. So, you take the screwdriver(once it's glowing redish) and jam it into the bleeder screw till the Screwdriver is half way through.... hold it and wait for it to cool. Make sure that the screw driver is straight up from pipe, dont let it fall to the side. Onces it cool down, just turn it to the left and unscrew. If you did not go far enough down, repeat till it comes free. (good idea is to leave cap to res. on, and the car must be cool to touch before removal) The screwdriver and plastic must cool before turning, or u may mess up this removal tip.... I advise to have the new bleeder screw on hand before removing old one. if you have any problems PM me thanks....

good tips...that thing is a PITA...mine went some time ago and I ended up grinding the end off of a bolt that threaded and using a copper washer to replace the plastic screw...problem free for 6 months....of course the leaky head gasket was the next source of coolant leak in my car...lol.

[Capt. Obvious]

2nd ^^!! My rad is seeping at the core tube end tank joint/s, just enough to smell, needs top-up ~weekly. Rad replacement required, about ~ $ 230 > $270+ OEM aftermarket channel.

Same issue here. I only need to top off every month and half or so at the moment, so I'm not in a big hurry to change the radiator yet.