2.7T leaking coolant from rear of passenger oil pan / alternator with pictures
05-15-2012, 11:02 AM
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2.7T leaking coolant from rear of passenger oil pan / alternator with pictures
Its on the rear of the passenger side oil pan very close to the alternator?
whats in that area that carries coolant that may be leaking?
im on original timing belt and accessories. Car has 75k. Timing belt was planned to be done at 85k.
PICTURE BELOW
whats in that area that carries coolant that may be leaking?
im on original timing belt and accessories. Car has 75k. Timing belt was planned to be done at 85k.
PICTURE BELOW
Last edited by rohit13; 05-15-2012 at 11:41 AM.
05-15-2012, 12:06 PM
#2
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Leaks are usually far above where they appear to be on the bottom of the engine.
Yours could be the rear main seal casting (rare but not unheard of) or more likely the auxiliary coolant pump under the intake manifold.
Scroll down aways and see some pics of the most recent aux coolant pump failure/repair.
Other than that, there are a bunch of pipes on the back of the engine that have 0-rings in them, there could also be a hose to/from the heater core. I just replaced a heater core hose on my 2K4.2A6...it's not as easy as you'd think...
Yours could be the rear main seal casting (rare but not unheard of) or more likely the auxiliary coolant pump under the intake manifold.
Scroll down aways and see some pics of the most recent aux coolant pump failure/repair.
Other than that, there are a bunch of pipes on the back of the engine that have 0-rings in them, there could also be a hose to/from the heater core. I just replaced a heater core hose on my 2K4.2A6...it's not as easy as you'd think...
05-15-2012, 12:08 PM
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Leaks are usually far above where they appear to be on the bottom of the engine.
Yours could be the rear main seal casting (rare but not unheard of) or more likely the auxiliary coolant pump under the intake manifold.
Scroll down aways and see some pics of the most recent aux coolant pump failure/repair.
Other than that, there are a bunch of pipes on the back of the engine that have 0-rings in them, there could also be a hose to/from the heater core. I just replaced a heater core hose on my 2K4.2A6...it's not as easy as you'd think...
Yours could be the rear main seal casting (rare but not unheard of) or more likely the auxiliary coolant pump under the intake manifold.
Scroll down aways and see some pics of the most recent aux coolant pump failure/repair.
Other than that, there are a bunch of pipes on the back of the engine that have 0-rings in them, there could also be a hose to/from the heater core. I just replaced a heater core hose on my 2K4.2A6...it's not as easy as you'd think...
What you describe as a "rare" leak sounds like an expensive fix. I sure hope its the thermostat as it will be replaced along with the cam belt.
05-15-2012, 12:52 PM
#4
Probably the auxiliary water pump under the manifold. Mine cost about $600.00 to fix. If it's leaking a lot you can undo the coolant fill cap a bit so the system doesn't build pressure. That should at least slow down the leak until you get it fixed.
05-15-2012, 12:55 PM
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For the love of god DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS MAN!!!! the coolant system is built to perform under pressure, with the cap loose, you wil leak coolant/pressure .... this could lead to literally frying your turbos as the auxiliary coolant pass is over the water jackets!
05-15-2012, 12:59 PM
#6
Oh relax, I know all about it and have heard it a million times. I drove around with the cap loosened for a few weeks. No problem. Do you think the coolant doesn't circulate if not under pressure? Whatever dude.
05-15-2012, 01:14 PM
#7
AudiWorld Super User
Well, the thermostat leak IS an expensive fix if you have to fix it outside of the TB service.
Both the rare rear main seal casting leak and the auxiliary pump failure are somewhat spendy...the rear main seal requires engine or transmission removal. The aux pump isn't so bad, one guy just did it by lifting the IM while others have said it can be done by unhooking the coolant hose at the rear of the engine and the front of the engine and pulling the aux coolant pump out through the front and reversing the procedure.
But a coolant leak at the thermostat would most likely show at the front of the engine, not where yours is.
Good luck.
Both the rare rear main seal casting leak and the auxiliary pump failure are somewhat spendy...the rear main seal requires engine or transmission removal. The aux pump isn't so bad, one guy just did it by lifting the IM while others have said it can be done by unhooking the coolant hose at the rear of the engine and the front of the engine and pulling the aux coolant pump out through the front and reversing the procedure.
But a coolant leak at the thermostat would most likely show at the front of the engine, not where yours is.
Good luck.
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05-15-2012, 05:13 PM
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Well, the thermostat leak IS an expensive fix if you have to fix it outside of the TB service.
Both the rare rear main seal casting leak and the auxiliary pump failure are somewhat spendy...the rear main seal requires engine or transmission removal. The aux pump isn't so bad, one guy just did it by lifting the IM while others have said it can be done by unhooking the coolant hose at the rear of the engine and the front of the engine and pulling the aux coolant pump out through the front and reversing the procedure.
But a coolant leak at the thermostat would most likely show at the front of the engine, not where yours is.
Good luck.
Both the rare rear main seal casting leak and the auxiliary pump failure are somewhat spendy...the rear main seal requires engine or transmission removal. The aux pump isn't so bad, one guy just did it by lifting the IM while others have said it can be done by unhooking the coolant hose at the rear of the engine and the front of the engine and pulling the aux coolant pump out through the front and reversing the procedure.
But a coolant leak at the thermostat would most likely show at the front of the engine, not where yours is.
Good luck.
I have an update that might or might not be helpful
The car seems to be leaking coolant only while running and about an after its been turned off. The coolant pool hasnt gotten any bigger in the past 2-3 hours since its been turned off. So i guess the leak isnt a constant dripping leak like i excepted.
05-15-2012, 08:22 PM
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just because you got lucky doesnt mean everyone will, not to mention youve never cracked your water jackets or turbo journals to check for heat damage so you never know.
bottom line is dont recommend potentially dangerous tips when a 100 dollar pump and an afternoon with some buds and beers will fix the problem
05-15-2012, 08:48 PM
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Yikes. I would sure hope this leak isnt anything that requires and engine pull.
I have an update that might or might not be helpful
The car seems to be leaking coolant only while running and about an after its been turned off. The coolant pool hasnt gotten any bigger in the past 2-3 hours since its been turned off. So i guess the leak isnt a constant dripping leak like i excepted.
I have an update that might or might not be helpful
The car seems to be leaking coolant only while running and about an after its been turned off. The coolant pool hasnt gotten any bigger in the past 2-3 hours since its been turned off. So i guess the leak isnt a constant dripping leak like i excepted.
I replaced mine in my 2001 A6 2.7T over the last couple of weeks. See my recent posts/threads for all of my trials and tribulations through the process.
When I was at your stage of the game, diagnosis was a problem... I really had no clue how to tell for sure where this slowish leak was coming from. Finally my hand was forced when the thing blew wide open and every drop of coolant I put in poured right out the bottom.
Anyway, you can do this fix on your own if it is the aux pump... and I say that because I did it, and if I did then anyone can.
I'm lurking on here every day, so feel free to ask any questions and I'll do what I can to help.