2016 SQ5 Low Coolant

[littlebee]

Hi All,

I am new to the forum and look forward to learning lots of new things.

I have a 2016 SQ5 delivered new in November 2015. It has 100,000 kms on it (just over 62,000 miles). I have never replaced any parts and have no warning lights except for the adaptive light (I understand it is a common issue).

I am taking it to get my brakes checked and for a major maintenance check that needs to be done at 85K km. Pads still have a little bit of life based on what I can see but not too much.

When checking other things, I saw that the coolant level was below min. I had the last major inspection 2 years ago with no issues. I can see no visible leaks anywhere on the outside, or just visually around the expansion tank or the engine without taking anything apart. I can smell nothing around the car or when driving and have no signs at all that anything is wrong.

I am planning to leave on a long trip (about 1200-1500 kms total) towing a trailer next Monday and the car will be at the shop for the entire day on Thursday. I do expect to replace the brake pads/(& likely) rotors.

Thoughts on the best approach for now? I will ask them to check for leaks but just looking for advice on how to approach with the shop. I am hoping this is just some "natural" loss over the past 4.5 years but maybe it is simply wishful thinking??

Thanks.

[RoofRails]

Find a very level spot and mark the current level with a pencil and drive it a few days to see if the loss continues. If the loss continues it could be a bad PCV. Sometimes these also develop leakes in at the intercooler cores inside of the intake manifold.
First step is to see if your coolant loss is ongoing.

Hi All,

I am new to the forum and look forward to learning lots of new things.

I have a 2016 SQ5 delivered new in November 2015. It has 100,000 kms on it (just over 62,000 miles). I have never replaced any parts and have no warning lights except for the adaptive light (I understand it is a common issue).

I am taking it to get my brakes checked and for a major maintenance check that needs to be done at 85K km. Pads still have a little bit of life based on what I can see but not too much.

When checking other things, I saw that the coolant level was below min. I had the last major inspection 2 years ago with no issues. I can see no visible leaks anywhere on the outside, or just visually around the expansion tank or the engine without taking anything apart. I can smell nothing around the car or when driving and have no signs at all that anything is wrong.

I am planning to leave on a long trip (about 1200-1500 kms total) towing a trailer next Monday and the car will be at the shop for the entire day on Thursday. I do expect to replace the brake pads/(& likely) rotors.

Thoughts on the best approach for now? I will ask them to check for leaks but just looking for advice on how to approach with the shop. I am hoping this is just some "natural" loss over the past 4.5 years but maybe it is simply wishful thinking??

Thanks.

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[BahnSpeed]

If it’s not the PCV valve then it could be the water pump. After 50k miles on a B8 SQ5 you will eventually need to replace it at some point. Mine failed on my 15 SQ5 just out of warranty last summer. Coolant loss was the first indication. I would get this looked at it before your road trip to be safe. Be sure no coolant gets on any of the drive belts or those will have to replaced as well due to chemical contamination.


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[djn876]

You didn't say how low it was, was it just below? Or way below? Any coolant smell at all?

Also, do you check it regularly or just happened to notice now (is it really a change from a previous condition)?

If it's just a little low, check for anything obvious, fill it up a little with distilled water, and watch it.

Otherwise could be PCV, Tstat, water pump (mine was water pump but never noticed anything appreciable in coolant loss), intercoolers, or any of the various hoses or connections in the engine bay.

I'd also suggest measuring the rotor thickness to validate they actually need to be replaced, unless you are really hard them, they are probably OK.

[Ginzy]

I have a 2016 SQ5 and had to have my waterpump replaced at 30k miles. It was going all over my engine bay. It's a common problem. Good luck

[simy]

I just had the my water pump replaced on my 2017 Q5 3.0T at 33K miles. Had low coolant and could see a visible leak underneath the car. Covered under warranty for me. Are these being replaced with updated water pumps?

[djn876]

Maybe but unlikely if you already have a 17. See what part number they put on the documentation, the last letter is the revision. I would guess it's pretty much the same one.

Do you know what on the pump was leaking?

I just had the my water pump replaced on my 2017 Q5 3.0T at 33K miles. Had low coolant and could see a visible leak underneath the car. Covered under warranty for me. Are these being replaced with updated water pumps?

[simy]

Maybe but unlikely if you already have a 17. See what part number they put on the documentation, the last letter is the revision. I would guess it's pretty much the same one.

Do you know what on the pump was leaking?

This is the part number listed in my receipt that the installed: 06E-121-018-K

Tech notes state that the water pump failed due to bad internal bearing.