Mister Bally

Keep in mind that the D3 alternator is water-cooled using the vehicle's cooling system. Since coolant is pouring out from/near the alternator, use standard automotive troubleshooting techniques to find the leak. Fill the cooling system with plain old water. Distilled is best for purists, but let's be honest here, it is just going to leak out. Figure out the source of the leak by looking until you find it. Then repair.

TSHong

Like everyone has posted , it probably is a hose that has either gone bad or it came off. You had all that owk done to the engine so a hose clamp coming off is possible. You are correct it is not your heater core. Once you get your system from leaking, you will have heat again.

JohnnyJ A6Q

Please do not go under the vehicle using that spare tire jack, and put in place some jack stands, I was changing a flat one night, and that piece of garbage of a jack collapsed !!

Junius

Its weird that you say that because last night, when I pulled over down the street from my house because of the low coolant warning, and after waiting (with all the lights on) for about an hour or so, when I turned the engine on afterwards, the dash briefly showed the battery light (which I already know that I need a new battery, but never gave me any starting problems) and the trunk would not close automatically nor the music from the MMI/radio would come on. Soon as I parked it 5 minutes later, but turned the accesories on, the automatic trunk opened and closed fine, and MMI/music working just fine as well. I wonder if the alternator could cause this?

Junius

I just poured pure water in the empty coolant tank and it leaked straight out . Now that it is light outside, it looks like it is coming from right above the alternator dripping down....

MP4.2+6.0

Sort of sounding like the infamous oil cooler pipe. Or, blown out alternator cooling, or if much luckier (though hard to get at), the hoses in there.

See: https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a6-...-leak-1705418/

Or: Oil Cooler Plastic Pipe In A8 D3 - AudiAudi

Or just Google something like "Audi 4.2 oil cooler pipe". Add "site:audiworld.com" if you want to search just here, and maybe D3 and/or A8 to try to hit just our cars. Lots of posts and history on it, plus some vendors who sell a machined tube like from the intake links guys.

2004A8L

Not only that but he is also using it the wrong way

Junius

Thanks for the info MP4.2+6.0, you've always been helpful. I tinkered with the oil cooler idea, but I am just so surprised at how much is leaking at one time. I thought that oil cooler leaks would leak slowly, or at least not as much as it is currently. I am going to take it to a mechanic tomorrow, as I do not have any of my tools where I am at. Sadly, not many VW/Audi specialists where I am located, and my normal mechanic is in San Diego...

Junius

No, the jack was not there to lift the car, it was used to uphold my camera....I know sounds weird.

Junius

Took it to a specialist today and they said indeed it is the oil cooler. They said they are going to charge me around $1800 to do it. But my discrepancy is the price of the oil cooler. Online, at ECStuning, it stated that it is $264 and at the local dealership, it is $350. He said the cost of it is around $700, which I know is darn outrageous. But of course I only receive the warranty if they get the parts....