coolant problems continued... took car to shop today but still puzzled
12-07-2006, 01:01 PM
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coolant problems continued... took car to shop today but still puzzled
After filling up my empty coolant tank with distilled water, I drove my car to the only good local performance shop that I know around here, and they said they it is "probably" a crack in the plastic end piece of the radiator??
He said he was 90% sure that this was the problem but he could not actually find or see the crack, he was just able to tell that the leak was from the front side of the car beneath the radiator. He was also not able to pressure test it because he did not have the part to fit an Audi (they are mainly a bmw shop).
He says I need a new S4 radiator, and the cost to fix it and bleed the cooling system will cost over $600.
Is this a common matter with coolant leaks? Cracking of the radiator? I am not sure that I want to put down $600 to fix something that we are not certain about. Not sure what I should do right now...
He said he was 90% sure that this was the problem but he could not actually find or see the crack, he was just able to tell that the leak was from the front side of the car beneath the radiator. He was also not able to pressure test it because he did not have the part to fit an Audi (they are mainly a bmw shop).
He says I need a new S4 radiator, and the cost to fix it and bleed the cooling system will cost over $600.
Is this a common matter with coolant leaks? Cracking of the radiator? I am not sure that I want to put down $600 to fix something that we are not certain about. Not sure what I should do right now...
12-07-2006, 05:46 PM
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The aux pump is located under the intake manifold. You cant really see it from up top...
I know you were saying wheres the aux pump. Its located under the intake manifold, i dont know if its at all visible. I know i just replaced mine because it was slightly leaking and i was doing timing belt and all and had most of the stuff already out of the way.
It could be a damaged radiator sure, but i sure as hell wouldnt pay someone to replace it without getting it pressure tested first.
And even if it did need a radiator..i highly doubt it would cost 600. 600 sounds like what a dealer would cost. Maybe hes quoting you on an oem one...get a price on an aftermarket thats made in germany. It will serve its purpose.
Also...maybe the waterpump is leaking? Its hard to say because theres that big shield underneath..and it could be leaking from a place different than what you see because the fluid is running along the pan and dripping at the nearest hole.
Id get the car up on the lift...if its leaking that much fluid..you should be able to see from where on your own.
How many miles are on the car?
It could be a damaged radiator sure, but i sure as hell wouldnt pay someone to replace it without getting it pressure tested first.
And even if it did need a radiator..i highly doubt it would cost 600. 600 sounds like what a dealer would cost. Maybe hes quoting you on an oem one...get a price on an aftermarket thats made in germany. It will serve its purpose.
Also...maybe the waterpump is leaking? Its hard to say because theres that big shield underneath..and it could be leaking from a place different than what you see because the fluid is running along the pan and dripping at the nearest hole.
Id get the car up on the lift...if its leaking that much fluid..you should be able to see from where on your own.
How many miles are on the car?
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