QuestionQUESTION: I have a coolant leak in my AUDI A6 2001 2.8. Two mechanics couldn't find a leak after pressure test..but it's leaking because I see big spillage on my driveway. Couple months ago I had 2 cat converters replaced. Do you think that mechanic could do something wrong when replacing cats because it started to happen after he replaced the cats?
ANSWER: Well replacing the cats is a fairly big job, and they probably used heat to get some of the nuts and bolts loose, so if someone is careless then a pipe could be damaged. Are you sure it is coolant, it should be pink or green, and have a sweet smell. Otherwise it could be washer fluid leaking from a headlight nozzle for instance. If the system was pressure checked, and the engine does not overheat, you may have to look for another source for your spillage... Let me know, Jan
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QUESTION: Thank you for your answer...I am sure this is coolat..it has light pink color and it's little bit oily, and I see it's dissapearing every day from my coolant tank. I also have huge signs of leaking on my driveway while the car parked couple days. Every week I refill the fluid with 50/50 solution. Is there any STOP LEAK fluid available to put into tank and fix it?
ANSWER: OK yes it sounds like you have a coolant leak. I advise NOT to use any of the stop coolant leak products, as they will cause more harm than good down the road. If you are noticing that much coolant loss, you HAVE to be able to see where it is coming from. My advice is to go to the shop who replaced the catalytic converters and say that this problem was evident after they did the work. If they can put the car on a lift and remove the lower plastic cover, you should insist on having a look with them, and then identify where the leak is. Dow you have steam coming up from one side of the engine after you get the car nice and warm?
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QUESTION: The leak coming from left side. I already removed plactic cover and I see signs of coolant on oil tank, so I guess it's coming from underneath the engine some place, maybe water pump? But it was replaced year ago by dealer..I don't see any smoke...and maybe this is strange but the leaking is coming when the engine cooled down...
AnswerThe water pump is located on the front of the engine, I doubt that the problem is there. The leak only happening when the engine cools is not that strange, if it is a cracked metal pipe, when it expands through heating the crack can seal, and then when the engine cools, the crack opens again which then causes coolant loss. Not sure where the oil tank is that you refer to, is it on the side of the engine compartment? You need to get the car on a lift and have a look from underneath. Jan
