Audizine - An Automotive Enthusiast Community

Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    Veteran Member Four Rings Spawne32's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 20 2016
    AZ Member #
    386232
    Location
    NJ

    Can the cooling system be properly pressure tested without a radiator cap?

    Guest-only advertisement. Register or Log In now!
    So little back story, bought this car last tuesday, noticed a coolant burning smell 3 days later when I was under the hood, and noticed a little bit of coolant puddling under the water pump. Took the car back saturday and the dealer called me monday morning and claimed that it was residual from when they changed the radiator hoses, and the tech cleaned the engine bay thoroughly and pressure tested the system to get rid of any residual coolant burning off the engine. Long story short, went to pick up the car last night, and when they pulled the car around I had a charging system malfunction indicator, and the car died 2 minutes later while still sitting in front of the dealer. They called me this afternoon to tell me they would be replacing the alternator free of charge and that they checked out the rest of the car and everything was fine. But heres my real question, is there a possibility that I am being lied to here, and they are just trying to get rid of me, and in their rush damaged the alternator by hosing the engine bay down with the car running? Obviously I am going to check the spot i saw the coolant puddling (see pic below) and check the coolant level before I leave, as I topped it off at the max line prior to bringing it in, but now I am worried that I may have damage to the car. Anything I should look out for now before I leave the dealer? Is it even possible to pressure test these systems since they run a pressurized overflow bottle instead of a capped radiator?


  2. #2
    Veteran Member Four Rings Militant-Grunt's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 30 2006
    AZ Member #
    12999
    My Garage
    B8 A4 Avant 6spd
    Location
    NYC

    What year is the car? Early CAEB's are known to leak from the coolant pumps.
    -MilitantGrunt- Certified Audi Dealership Technician / Parts Manager
    -18 718 GTS
    -10 B8 A4 Avant - 6spd swapped / built motor / Pag Parts EFR 7163 Turbo Setup.

  3. #3
    Veteran Member Four Rings Spawne32's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 20 2016
    AZ Member #
    386232
    Location
    NJ

    Quote Originally Posted by Militant-Grunt View Post
    What year is the car? Early CAEB's are known to leak from the coolant pumps.
    2009

  4. #4
    Senior Member Two Rings rolandoa1324's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 28 2016
    AZ Member #
    367899
    Location
    Orange CA

    The thermostat is bad I have the same problem on my A4


    Sent from my iPhone using Audizine
    Instagram @cavesb8

  5. #5
    Veteran Member Four Rings Crucible35's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 22 2010
    AZ Member #
    58005
    My Garage
    13 Lawnmower Prem. Quattro
    Location
    Markham, Ontario. Canada

    I had to replace my water pump three times on my '09. Is this an Audi dealership? Likely the WP.
    '15 A4 S Line Q Tip Monsoon
    '09 A4 Premium Q Tip Meteor (Gone)

  6. #6
    Veteran Member Four Rings Spawne32's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 20 2016
    AZ Member #
    386232
    Location
    NJ

    Quote Originally Posted by Crucible35 View Post
    I had to replace my water pump three times on my '09. Is this an Audi dealership? Likely the WP.
    So this is fullerton chrysler dodge jeep fiat, bought it as a used car with a 30 day 1000 mile warranty. They first screwed me on the 1000 mile warranty by entering 850 miles less on the odometer statement without me realizing it, now im getting this run around. If the coolant level is below the maximum line tomorrow ill know for sure.

  7. #7
    Veteran Member Four Rings Crucible35's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 22 2010
    AZ Member #
    58005
    My Garage
    13 Lawnmower Prem. Quattro
    Location
    Markham, Ontario. Canada

    Typically my level would be below the minimum in the morning....with very little sign there was a leak. Then I'd get the "Add Coolant" warning on the center display. My waterpumps were replaced under warranty but, if I recall correctly, there was a technical service bulletin (TSB) out on the waterpumps. You may be able to take it into an Audi dealership and have them deal with it. In the US, you may be able to find someone on here that can help you with the TSB# and advise on next steps.
    '15 A4 S Line Q Tip Monsoon
    '09 A4 Premium Q Tip Meteor (Gone)

  8. #8
    Veteran Member Four Rings Spawne32's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 20 2016
    AZ Member #
    386232
    Location
    NJ

    So got the car back today, they put some cheap ass no name parts store alternator in, not even an OEM audi part. Whatever though, it works and its covered under a 1 year 12k warranty. Got in the car to drive it home, headlight bulb out warning, dont ask me WTF they were doing to this car to cause this many issues. Drove it to work and back home again, smelled burning coolant, and found this. (below) wet spots all around the water pump on the bottom, looks dryer then it is in the picture, you shine a flashlight on it and you can see its orange/red. Had it out with the GM on the phone tonight after leaving a bad review on dealer rating. Called me within 5 minutes of me posting it. lol Can't believe I have to go through this much of a fiasco to get this fixed.


  9. #9
    Veteran Member Four Rings Spawne32's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 20 2016
    AZ Member #
    386232
    Location
    NJ

    Another thing I wanted to ask is, the audi symphony system in this car sounds like shit, I am told that there is a subwoofer in the rear deck but there is virtually no bass at all coming from this system. Sounds like all the sound is coming from the front deck. Anyone ever encounter this? I would like to upgrade the speakers but I am unsure of a few things, 2ohms or 4ohms, and what sizes fit where. From what I read, 3.5 in the front center, 6.5 in the doors, 8" in the rear, and tweeters in the corner that seemingly are difficult to replace.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


    © 2001-2024 Audizine, Audizine.com, and Driverzines.com
    Audizine is an independently owned and operated automotive enthusiast community and news website.
    Audi and the Audi logo(s) are copyright/trademark Audi AG. Audizine is not endorsed by or affiliated with Audi AG.