A8bil

So, I'm feeling a bit snakebit with my 2001 A8L. In March, the t-stat went out and so I did a full TB job. A month ago, I got that buzzing sound that sounded like the HVAC fan going out, but it turned out to be the afterrun pump, so I disconnected it, as suggested by other listers.

Now, I have a persistent coolant leak and my HVAC system is filling with water everytime it rains. I took off the belly pan and the drips are coming from the passenger side of the pan. I'm guessing from my review of archived posts that it is either the oil cooler pipe leak that everyone talks about, or the pump. Short of dissembling everything, is there a way for me to confirm? If it is the oil cooler pipe, are there instructions on how to approach this on the 2001 engine in Bentley or has someone else done it? I read Audipages.com, but I know the TB job is very different between the older engines and mine and want to make sure the directions there are applicable to my car.

As to HVAC filling with water, that has to be the cowl vents being blocked. I opened all but the ones that drain near the transmission. Is there a way to attack them underneath? Is the only way to get them above (short of the fill and blast method) to take out the HVAC fan and assembly?

I really don't have the time or the money to do these jobs, but it's looking like I have no choice. Thanks for all advice in advance.

Bill

tozoM8

I cut off 1/4" of the big drains, so they should be clean. Bring her by the shop and we can look at it.

A8bil

I wish...if I lived near you, you would have seen my car a looonnng time ago, but I am in the SF Bay Area, so that's not an option.

I saw how you cut them off, but are the accessible without dropping the transmission? From above?

BTW, I've had that sense that I am screwed for the past 9 months as each new problem arises. I think the car is just in that stage where lots of things are starting to pop up.

tozoM8

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/80919/dscn1278.jpg"></center><p>

A8bil

do you know anywhere I can find diagrams so I can better identify where underneath the steering rack means on this car? And, assuming I have long arms, are they accessible from above or below?

Thanks Tozo

Sleeper8

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/141426/ssc_0894.jpg"></center><p>They come out right behind the center of the steering rack

A8bil

Thanks, very helpful! Against the bulk head under the steering rack.

Sleeper8

No problem!... "I was in a position to help"

tehA8PIMP

99, 150k. Had to do the seals in the tranmission cooler portion of the radiator IIRC..