coolant bleed valve locations?
01-27-2013, 08:38 AM
#1
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coolant bleed valve locations?
Hi All,
I am hoping someone can confirm the location of the coolant bleed valves on my A8 (D3 4E 2004 3.0 TDI). The problem is just before the cold spell I was trying to prepare for the winter and decided to do a mini flush/top up of my coolant as I dont think it has been touched in over 5 year. so I drained out the coolant from the expansion tank and refilled with mixture of Prestone and water. Prestone bottle said it could be mixed with any colour coolant!. I then read that Audi use G12, and that this should not be mixed with anything else as it may cause coolant to solidify. As a precaution now I want to drain the full system and refill with G13 (which i got from Audi). They tell me G13 has replaced G12, G12++ coolants.
So back to my problem.... I dont want to find I drain the system and then end up with airlocks so want to be sure I have correctly identified the 3 bleed valves on my engine. Can anyone confirm the location as shown in yellow circles in the attached pics? Thanks in advance and if anyone has any other tips/pointers before I undertake this task I would be grateful.
I am hoping someone can confirm the location of the coolant bleed valves on my A8 (D3 4E 2004 3.0 TDI). The problem is just before the cold spell I was trying to prepare for the winter and decided to do a mini flush/top up of my coolant as I dont think it has been touched in over 5 year. so I drained out the coolant from the expansion tank and refilled with mixture of Prestone and water. Prestone bottle said it could be mixed with any colour coolant!. I then read that Audi use G12, and that this should not be mixed with anything else as it may cause coolant to solidify. As a precaution now I want to drain the full system and refill with G13 (which i got from Audi). They tell me G13 has replaced G12, G12++ coolants.
So back to my problem.... I dont want to find I drain the system and then end up with airlocks so want to be sure I have correctly identified the 3 bleed valves on my engine. Can anyone confirm the location as shown in yellow circles in the attached pics? Thanks in advance and if anyone has any other tips/pointers before I undertake this task I would be grateful.
01-27-2013, 01:01 PM
#3
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Thanks for the reply.
I have not performed a full flush as yet, only a mini flush ie drained the coolant from the expansion tank (using a siphoning pipe) and then replacing with fresh coolant. This is not the correct procedure for a full flush, but I was hoping it would strengthen the antifreeze before the cold weather set in. I will do the full flush in the coming weekend (weather permitting) and if successful will post up a full write up with pictures which may help you.
Re the bleed valves I have now been told that ALL three valves are correct and are the bleed valves for removing air lock. Not sure why they have 3 bleed valves on this engine but that is the facts so will follow procedure.
01-28-2013, 04:26 AM
#4
i cant find the thread atm, but it stated that the bleed valves by the pollen filter was the only one mentioned for getting rid of an air lock.
i have a 4.2 petrol so maybe different procdure for diesels but you would have to wait for a more experianced memeber to way in.
and thanks for that, would be helpful. because theres no mention of where the drain points are to drain the fluid correctly and fully. and yes as you mentioned your way can be done but i dont have a sucking tool lol.
i have a 4.2 petrol so maybe different procdure for diesels but you would have to wait for a more experianced memeber to way in.
and thanks for that, would be helpful. because theres no mention of where the drain points are to drain the fluid correctly and fully. and yes as you mentioned your way can be done but i dont have a sucking tool lol.
07-30-2016, 05:43 PM
#6
AudiWorld Super User
Bentley shop manual is the old school way of course. You also need to post year of car and motor. From avatar pic so far I just see A8L and a USA home base.
In particular, early 4.2's can be hard. They tweaked the radiator and hoses a bit later which presumably helped with the old issue. The early ones are closer to what Bentley says, which is the full boat approach typical of Bentley. Later ones more likely to be just open the bleed ports w/ motor running one at a time until coolant pees out a little.
In particular, early 4.2's can be hard. They tweaked the radiator and hoses a bit later which presumably helped with the old issue. The early ones are closer to what Bentley says, which is the full boat approach typical of Bentley. Later ones more likely to be just open the bleed ports w/ motor running one at a time until coolant pees out a little.
Last edited by MP4.2+6.0; 07-30-2016 at 07:44 PM.
07-30-2016, 07:23 PM
#7
AudiWorld Super User
I use the tool linked below. Works great. Makes it east to fill and there is no need to bleed the system.
https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-D3_A8...4.2/ES2712734/
https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-D3_A8...4.2/ES2712734/
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07-31-2016, 04:35 AM
#8
AudiWorld Member
Thanks MP4,the_duke. Model year is 2009. I'll try opening the bleed ports option and see if it helps. Hopefully, there isn't a leak somewhere in the rubber piping/hose system. I realized there was an issue after the cooling fans started working overtime / really loud.
Bentley shop manual is the old school way of course. You also need to post year of car and motor. From avatar pic so far I just see A8L and a USA home base.
In particular, early 4.2's can be hard. They tweaked the radiator and hoses a bit later which presumably helped with the old issue. The early ones are closer to what Bentley says, which is the full boat approach typical of Bentley. Later ones more likely to be just open the bleed ports w/ motor running one at a time until coolant pees out a little.
In particular, early 4.2's can be hard. They tweaked the radiator and hoses a bit later which presumably helped with the old issue. The early ones are closer to what Bentley says, which is the full boat approach typical of Bentley. Later ones more likely to be just open the bleed ports w/ motor running one at a time until coolant pees out a little.
I use the tool linked below. Works great. Makes it east to fill and there is no need to bleed the system.
https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-D3_A8...4.2/ES2712734/
https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-D3_A8...4.2/ES2712734/
07-31-2016, 06:36 AM
#9
AudiWorld Super User
Assuming no coolant leaks, most likely other culprits are simple bad temp. sensor, or bad thermostat which has an electrical assist to it IIRC for an FSI 4.2.
07-31-2016, 08:29 AM
#10
AudiWorld Member
As of yesterday when I scanned, no temp related faults, lights on dash, etc; temp gauge was straight/ on point. This morning there was a puddle underneath reservoir. Will scan again.
High speed fans are usually a sign of a cooling system malfunction. You should scan it w/ VCDS or get it scanned. Any lights or messages on dash, or temp. gauge not working?
Assuming no coolant leaks, most likely other culprits are simple bad temp. sensor, or bad thermostat which has an electrical assist to it IIRC for an FSI 4.2.
Assuming no coolant leaks, most likely other culprits are simple bad temp. sensor, or bad thermostat which has an electrical assist to it IIRC for an FSI 4.2.
