Water pump and thermostat replaced, then more problems 4 months later...

[sondra]

The thermostat and water pump on my 2013 S5 coupe (34,000 miles) was replaced in early July. The fix took 2 full days and as I was driving home, the check engine light came on almost immediately. I took the car back to the dealer and the next day they told me that they had put a vacuum hose(s) on backwards. Four months and 1,000 miles later, my husband smelled antifreeze and I took the car back in. This time they tell me the water reservoir is cracked, the water reservoir cap is bad and the A/C condenser is leaking. My question is: is this pure coincidence or is it possible that during the replacement of the water pump and thermostat, that they damaged these parts? Any insight would be welcome, thanks!

[infinkc]

I say coincidence, the two are fairly far apart from one another. I havent heard of a coolant res cracking on the b8s before though. Does it look like physical damage? or from age?

[sondra]

They haven't gotten it fixed yet so I haven't seen it. I did ask them to keep the parts for me, though.

[whiped]

If you're still under warranty take it back in as regardless of causality it should be covered.

If you are out of warranty it might take some convincing. The damages are certainly plausible as the water pump and thermostat are pretty intrusive installs. (Albeit not in the same section of the engine)

FWIW, I had one of my AC hoses installed backwards from the factory causing a slight water leak on my floorboard. Known issue with the early B8.5s and yet still took 4 trips to the dealer to get fixed

I've had no issues in the 3 months since. (*knocking firmly on wood as my factory warranty period ends in a month)

[sondra]

I am on extended warranty but that has a $200 deductible plus the cost of fluids. Antifreeze is about $60 (yikes) and I'm not sure what the Freon will cost me. What is really frustrating is that the first fix should have been under warranty but they said my car had been tuned and they would have to run it thought the extended warranty which cost me $260. I bought the car from them (certified used) and haven't done a thing to it. I don't doubt that it has been tuned, I just didn't realize it until they told me which of course was too late.

I just remembered, I had my 35,000 mile service done at the same time. I think the following was done and would have thought they should have caught these problems then?
Replace brake fluid
Replace cabin air filter
Replace engine oil & filter
Replace multitronic transmission fluid
Inspect battery
Inspect brake system
Inspect cooling system
Inspect drive shaft boots
Inspect exhaust system
Inspect front and rear axle
Inspect horn
Inspect interior lights
Inspect lights
Inspect odb system check for codes
Inspect plenum panel
Inspect power steering fluid
Inspect ribbed belts
Inspect underbody
Inspect wiper blades
Inspect wiper, washer, headlight washer
Inspect/lubricate door hinge mechanism
Inspect/lubricate rear lid hinges
Inspect/reset service reminder light

[whiped]

You could do it yourself if you are a little mechanically inclined.

Tank from ECS: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble.../8k0121405nkt/

You shouldn't have to drain the whole loop so I imagine a liter of G13 would be enough to refill the loop.

Just in case you can grab some extra: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...ers/g013a8j1g/

Remember to dilute it.

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I haven't done anything with the AC but I doubt it will be cheap. This would be the only reason I would file a claim.

[LYKUNO]

I am on extended warranty but that has a $200 deductible plus the cost of fluids. Antifreeze is about $60 (yikes) and I'm not sure what the Freon will cost me. What is really frustrating is that the first fix should have been under warranty but they said my car had been tuned and they would have to run it thought the extended warranty which cost me $260. I bought the car from them (certified used) and haven't done a thing to it. I don't doubt that it has been tuned, I just didn't realize it until they told me which of course was too late. ...

If you bought your car from an Audi dealer, I don't think they would have certified it (Certified Pre Owned) if it had previously been tuned. Here are the details for CPO from the Audi website. If it was indeed sold to you as CPO, then you should be covered for repairs (if within the time and mileage limits), unless you were the party to have the car tuned. Others can chime in if this information is not accurate.

Edit to add the document that lists what's covered and what's not. The coolant tank should be covered as well as the A/C.

[shadycrew31]

FWIW, I had one of my AC hoses installed backwards from the factory causing a slight water leak on my floorboard. Known issue with the early B8.5s and yet still took 4 trips to the dealer to get fixed

More than likely the drip line/pan was installed backwards, the AC lines are high pressure with specific fittings.

I am on extended warranty but that has a $200 deductible plus the cost of fluids. Antifreeze is about $60 (yikes) and I'm not sure what the Freon will cost me. What is really frustrating is that the first fix should have been under warranty but they said my car had been tuned and they would have to run it thought the extended warranty which cost me $260. I bought the car from them (certified used) and haven't done a thing to it. I don't doubt that it has been tuned, I just didn't realize it until they told me which of course was too late.

I just remembered, I had my 35,000 mile service done at the same time. I think the following was done and would have thought they should have caught these problems then?
Replace brake fluid
Replace cabin air filter
Replace engine oil & filter
Replace multitronic transmission fluid
Inspect/reset service reminder light

This is all they actually did.

Also I find it highly unlikely that the coolant tank is cracked. The Tstat replacement has nothing to do with the coolant tank you literally do not touch it besides filling it up and its a durable piece. There are however many O-rings, seals, and screws/bolts that all need to be torqued down properly otherwise you can have a slow leak. Might be worth taking it to an indy shop to have them diagnose, if you can prove its from the work they did it should be fixed for free by the dealer.

[SwankP3RF3ct10n]

From my experience, it wouldn't be the first time a "certified" Audi tech broke something else in the process of trying to fix something. These guys don't usually pay close attention to detail and will tear up other stuff while working from just pure inexperience or better said... lack of attention to detail. There hasn't ever been a single time I've gone to an Audi dealership or any other dealership for that matter where something wasn't put back on properly or something wasn't somehow damaged or scratched or dinged or what have you. It never fails... these guys turn wrenches like monkeys and just don't give a fuck about people's cars. Sometimes I wonder how they get away with it on much more expensive cars like the S8 or RS models or R models. Maybe those owners just don't know any better and don't care, but come on.

[shadycrew31]

From my experience, it wouldn't be the first time a "certified" Audi tech broke something else in the process of trying to fix something. These guys don't usually pay close attention to detail and will tear up other stuff while working from just pure inexperience or better said... lack of attention to detail. There hasn't ever been a single time I've gone to an Audi dealership or any other dealership for that matter where something wasn't put back on properly or something wasn't somehow damaged or scratched or dinged or what have you. It never fails... these guys turn wrenches like monkeys and just don't give a fuck about people's cars. Sometimes I wonder how they get away with it on much more expensive cars like the S8 or RS models or R models. Maybe those owners just don't know any better and don't care, but come on.

I imagine there are specialized techs for those high $$$ cars.

When I went to change my tstat recently there were two gaskets leftover from the previous install hanging out on top of the engine. Also three of the tstat bolts were finger tight, thats why I do my own work so I can blame myself and triple check everything.

[b8s4me]

I've changed the thermostat myself, it would be nearly impossible for the coolant reservoir or AC condenser to have gotten damaged during water pump/tstat change. You don't mess with either during removal/install of the water pump or tstat. Pure coincidence I'd say.