Stranded in WV
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Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 15
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From: Charlotte, NC
Stranded in WV
This is a bit of hail mary pass, but here goes. I drove my 1999 2.8 A6 up north unexpectedly for a work related emergency over the weekend. A few hours turned into a few days, and forecasted overnight lows of 30F turned into 0F, presumably freezing the coolant (HIGHLY diluted G12) that was in the car.
I am assuming the water pump (at least) was destroyed as added coolant flows freely out the bottom of the car if I pour more in the reservoir. The local mechanics I have spoken to on the phone do not have the tools/desire to do this. Perhaps I am being foolishly optimistic and there are likely many other components destroyed as well? The car has 180k on it with some other minor problems so a $2k+ repair may not make sense.
The car is in Alta, WV roughly 250 miles from my beloved VAG specialist in Charlotte, NC. I do have AAA (basic) and have been quoted at $3/mile beyond the first 5.
Any ideas / contacts are greatly appreciated. I have not pulled codes as I do not have an interface.
I am assuming the water pump (at least) was destroyed as added coolant flows freely out the bottom of the car if I pour more in the reservoir. The local mechanics I have spoken to on the phone do not have the tools/desire to do this. Perhaps I am being foolishly optimistic and there are likely many other components destroyed as well? The car has 180k on it with some other minor problems so a $2k+ repair may not make sense.
The car is in Alta, WV roughly 250 miles from my beloved VAG specialist in Charlotte, NC. I do have AAA (basic) and have been quoted at $3/mile beyond the first 5.
Any ideas / contacts are greatly appreciated. I have not pulled codes as I do not have an interface.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,138
Likes: 6
No idea who you can contact there - but does the car start/run at all? When you say the coolant pours out the bottom - have you made any attempt to see where it is pouring out? Obviously it will come to the bottom of the engine, but is it at the back of the engine, front, driver's side, passenger's side, etc?
A failing waterpump could take out the timing belt, which would cause serious damage - but if the car didn't die on you and runs, I doubt this to be the case.
A failing waterpump could take out the timing belt, which would cause serious damage - but if the car didn't die on you and runs, I doubt this to be the case.
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 15
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From: Charlotte, NC
The car does run (surprisingly well, actually) so I think I am ok on the TB front (full TB service done < 10k miles ago). It is difficult to tell where the coolant is coming from, but it is pouring out at a fast rate from "the middle" of the engine bay. A client was in the car when this happened, I did not have much of a chance to investigate. Thanks for the reply.
Tech Guru
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,010
Likes: 192
From: Olney, MD
Rent a pickup truck and a trailer and tow it home. Call Uhaul?
Still, it looks like towing it home is your best bet.
Alternatively, tow it to Charleston, 104 miles and have it repaired there. Charleston is nice town.
European Car Service
104 Maccorkle Avenue Southwest, Charleston, WV • 304-744-0542
Still, it looks like towing it home is your best bet.
Alternatively, tow it to Charleston, 104 miles and have it repaired there. Charleston is nice town.
European Car Service
104 Maccorkle Avenue Southwest, Charleston, WV • 304-744-0542
Tech Guru
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,010
Likes: 192
From: Olney, MD
OTOH it's worth $4-5.5K so you might just write it off.
http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-...WD-Sedan-t1591
http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-...WD-Sedan-t1591
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 98
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It is hard to tell what the problem is without digging in there a little bit. Did you replace the water pump when you did the timing belt?
104 miles to the repair shop is only $300; less than one car payment!
Good Luck
Steve
104 miles to the repair shop is only $300; less than one car payment!
Good Luck
Steve
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Audiworld Junior Member
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I'm in Roanoke VA and there are a couple very trusted shops here I can take my S6 to. Fairly inexpensive too. You can call me at 276 698 9702 tomorrow if you still need a tow. I have a buddy with a tow shop here. If its already figured out, good luck!
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AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Plano, TX
If it pours right out as you pour it in, I'd suspect a radiator, reservoir, hose, or thermostat housing before I'd suspect the block. Keep pouring in till you find the culprit.
I had a cooling system failure on my 2002 Golf last night. Driver described it as "coolant everywhere, have no clue where it's coming from, but it's gone". Turns out a fan rubbed through the lower hose and it just kept dumping out. A little poking around and I had it fixed with a $0.56 barb fitting and some zip ties. Don't write it off yet!
I had a cooling system failure on my 2002 Golf last night. Driver described it as "coolant everywhere, have no clue where it's coming from, but it's gone". Turns out a fan rubbed through the lower hose and it just kept dumping out. A little poking around and I had it fixed with a $0.56 barb fitting and some zip ties. Don't write it off yet!
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