Losing coolant

[Madsen]

Hello.

I have a 99 s4 avant (facelift).

In a few months now i have to refill the expansion tank about ever 2-3 weeks. And its white smoke (not so much smoke when its hot)

I cant find a leak anywhere, and you cant see any pond under the car.
Yesterday i started to take apart the car (because off the fan dint work)
And i have been reading much about the aux water pump.

So i got some pictures off my pump, can somebody tell me if its the pump that has leaked? Or do anyone have a idea what it can be? I just dont hope its the head gasket!

If it is the pump, should i switch it to a new one or take it away?

Tanks for answers:)

[S4_NE]

IMO replace it look at the dried coolant on it

[RolledMySTi]

Well you definitely need to replace that pump. Is the white smoke you are talking about coming from the exhaust or from the engine bay?

[Madsen]

The smoke comes from the exhaust.

I`m pretty sure that it is the pump, but it dosent hurt to ask:P It cost pretty mutch here in Norway.

Tank;)

Its just so boring to bolt everything together and it still leaks.

[AudiSportB5S4]

yeah I'd replace that. I just had mine replaced but it wasn't half as bad... Maybe it would be cheaper to buy it here and have it shipped?

[obijohn22]

What does your expansion tank look like? Have you replaced that yet? The early ones crack and leak under pressure. But still def. replace that aux pump. good luck.

[Madsen]

I havent looked so mutch on the expansion tank, but if the expansion tank leaks want you see it under the car? (but i will check it, where does it use to crack?)

Yes its cheaper in usa but i looked on autohausaz.com, but i have engine code AGB but on autohausaz it is APB. Maybe it is the same?

[obijohn22]

It depends on the leak. Sometimes under pressure it will just drip. and if it drips down onto the turbo or dp, there's your smoke and no puddle. if your expansion tank is not WHITE (if it has a yellowish hue) and you can see white lines in it, they are little cracks and you need to replace it. If it doesn't leak now it will eventually. these small cracks can begin to leak under pressure. If it is white in color, it should be the new material and you should be ok. It is likely that your aux pump is leaking based on the pics, but you should check this too.

[Madsen]

Yes i have the yellow tank.

Then im going to order the aux water pump and look at the expansion tank.

Thanks guys:)

Ill let you know if the problem disappears.

But the white smoke from the exhaust, what can that be? It still has the orginal turboes from 99 and the car has 190000km thats about 120000mile. Maybe they have seen better days:P

Next time somethings wrong i guess it going to be stage 3;)

[RolledMySTi]

The smoke from the exhaust could be the turbos going. That or a bad head gasket.

[crosenhahn]

Madsen - how difficult was it removing the aux water pump, mine is leaking and I need to replace it? did you have to replace any gaskets? Thanks!

[wdbdy2000s4]

Check your oil regularly. If you're turbos are burning oil you're gonna want to know so your motor doesn't seize up. Happened to a buddy of mine with an eclipse, his motor seized on the way to go buy oil.

[Madsen]

Madsen - how difficult was it removing the aux water pump, mine is leaking and I need to replace it? did you have to replace any gaskets? Thanks!

No, just remove everything on top off the engine (covers, turbo hoses, etc) screw out every screw to the intake, and then you can just lift it upp in the front.

Im going to switch out the intak manifold gasket.

But check this link if you dont want to remove the inntak: http://forums.audiworld.com/s4/msgs/2169710.phtml

I have removed everything on the front off my car because accessory belt tensioner broke in pieces when i drove.

[Madsen]

Check your oil regularly. If you're turbos are burning oil you're gonna want to know so your motor doesn't seize up. Happened to a buddy of mine with an eclipse, his motor seized on the way to go buy oil.

My car dosent use any oil, but tanks for the heads up;)



By the way, i checked the expansion tank today. It was about 8-9 cracks in it