Audi A4 leaking coolant

Purple

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My A4 is leaking coolant but I can’t spot the leak. It goes down over a 2-5 day period. I don’t want to pay a main dealer over €100 an hour to flute around with it. Does anyone know what the likely cause is?
 
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Or even €110 per hour! Why not take it to any back street mechanic? It does not sound like it would be a very difficult problem to fix.
 
I'm assuming it's not but is the car under warrenty?
 
If the car is unused for a few days does the level continue to drop or does the system have to be running/pressurised? It looks like it could be the waterpump which is driven by the timing belt and is behind a cover.Is it a diesel?Get the pump checked quickly because if its bearing fails it will snap the belt with obvious results.Another place is the heater matrix but thats normally accompanied by damp footwells&misting windows and the smell of hot antifreeze which is putrid.Hope this gives you some pointers.
 
If the car is unused for a few days does the level continue to drop or does the system have to be running/pressurised? It looks like it could be the waterpump which is driven by the timing belt and is behind a cover.Is it a diesel?Get the pump checked quickly because if its bearing fails it will snap the belt with obvious results.Another place is the heater matrix but thats normally accompanied by damp footwells&misting windows and the smell of hot antifreeze which is putrid.Hope this gives you some pointers.
Brilliant, thanks. It's a '04 model with 46K (miles) on it. I think the timing belt is due to be done anyway so maybe it's into the main dealer for another €1500 :eek:
 
My Passat TDI was doing the same thing.

The rad was leaking because it had coroded.

Got a replacement rad and collant from auto factors for about 100 yoyo's

Parked on the driveway and between myself and my dad we managed to get it changed.

Bit of a pig of a job removed front grill bumper cross member aircon rad.
Getting at the hoses was a pain as well.

It took us about 3 hours, so you are looking at two in a garage.

Great sense of satisfaction though and saved 200 to 300 quid.
 
Mine is doing the same. Because of where the problem is I was advised to change the timing belt even though there is only 29,000 miles on it. Cost will be 700 at main audi dealer.

They didn't give me the impression that it had to be done any time soon though???
 
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