Coolant below MIN

Phill_

Phill_

Audi S4
Joined
Jul 30, 2014
Messages
114
Reaction score
97
Points
28
Location
Woking, Surrey
Hi guys, should there be a dash warning if the coolant is too low?

Noticed yesterday when doing the screen-wash that the coolant level was below the MIN mark... should I be worried?

Is it OK to carry on driving with it like that if I have had no dash warning?

Car has done under 5k and is only 10 months old...
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0049.JPG
    IMG_0049.JPG
    972 KB · Views: 950
Last edited:
@Phill_ - I've had my S4 just over 14 months now & had to top my coolant up 3 times. Not much on each mind. The last time I did it was around 6 months ago & its now settled down

@scotty76 has had similar 'issues'. See -
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/coolant-loss.229588/

It seem like a normal thing on B8.5 S4's but I would still go back to the Dealer's, if nothing else other than for peace of mind
 
  • Like
Reactions: Meemo and Phill_
@Bristle Hound - What did you top it up with? Just a little tap water? It's due an oil service in 50 days so would be nice to avoid taking it to the dealers before then (as it wastes my annual leave etc). I have emailed the dealer to see what they suggest.

I've never had to top up any fluids in any previous cars before. With this I've had to top up oil and now coolant. :coldsweat:
 
@Phill_ - I topped mine up with a 50/50 mixture of water & Bluecol Universal anti-freeze
This will keep your original anti-freeze levels 'normal' so to speak

The Bluecol stuff can be bought at Asda, Morrisons etc for around £4 / litre
This one -

Upload 2016 7 25 11 46 51


Just another one of the joys of owning a S4 I suppose lol
 
Do you guys have to make sure it's G12 compatible in your S4's?
 
Never just top up with water, this is what a lot of people do and eventually the coolant gets sufficiently diluted to cause problems.
The main thing coolant does is stop corrosion in the cooling system. It's not just there to act as anti freeze like it did in the old days although it does that as well.
Get a 1L bottle of G12 or G12 plus coolant and mix with 1L of de mineralised water in a 2L pop bottle. Alternatively you can buy coolant already mixed, I use Comma G30.
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/en...freeze/comma-g30-antifreeze-and-coolant-rm-5l
Most supermarkets, garages, auto shops will sell G12, G12 plus coolant.
 
audi upgrades
Cheers guys, going to check the local Tescos in a min, if they don't have any I'll just order that bottle from Amazon Prime for tomorrow :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: xpoweruk
Make sure the top up coolant meets the spec and is the same colour. Mixing can cause problems.
 
Ordered the Carplan stuff on Amazon for delivery tomorrow, specs say:
  • Conforms to British Standard BS6580 (1992) & Volswagen/Audi/Seat/Skoda (G12++/VW TL-774G)
So should be ok I assume?
 
  • Like
Reactions: xpoweruk
If it is same colour, use it.
If it's not the same colour it is intended for a full system refill, not just topping up.
 
Zafi said:
Make sure the top up coolant meets the spec and is the same colour. Mixing can cause problems.
Click to expand...

Or to put it another way, probably best to avoid using Bluecol! Bluecol is or was a quality product, but that was before these newer chemistry coolants came along, like G12 etc etc.

Edit:- ie best plan must be to only add OAT chemistry coolant to OAT chemistry coolant despite what Bluecol say. One interesting thing though, on their site, there is a picture of clear, ie U antifreeze being added to a VW Golf - that would be more appropriate if replacing all the coolant, but why risk seal/gasket incompatibility for the sake of a few £s?
 
Last edited:
just to be a pain.
My coolant level has been just below minimum for a good 2 years (atleast thats when i noticed), never goes down, sometimes goes up depending on temp.
I was worried then saw the other halves rs4 was exact same level (like mine and your picture) and his is the same, doesnt go down any more, but increases depending on temp.
I keep an eye on it, but because it stays i wont touch it till she gets a full flush. Hope that helps your worrying a little.
 
oh, but mine has done 116k, not nice and new like yours :) like bristlehound says, top it up with the right colour and just keep your eye on it.
I understand there is an expansion tank and that takes any over fill so maybe that what happens when the heat expands it? then when it goes back you see that lower level.(??)
 
The place where you check the level and top it up IS the expansion tank. The radiator and pipe to the tank will be full of coolant.
 
Don't mess around with the non-VAG stuff - pointless saving pennies. You need pink G13 - never mix colours.
You can buy a bottle of genuine G13 from ebay for £8.50!!
Part number G013A8JM1

Personally I would wait until you take it into the dealer - plenty of coolant left in the tank.
 
@Phill_ I topped mine up and have had it checked by the dealers 3 times. It does finally seem to have settled. So don't panic, it'll be fine. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bristle Hound and Phill_
Slightly off topic (sorry for hijack, is a quick one I swears)

Is a coolant flush and replace necessary on our models as part of a service schedule? are the g13/g12++ coolants life time like our gear box oil?

i ask as I am 3 years of owning this car and have never had it flushed, happy to book it in for flush as it is relatively inexpensive.
 
Answered my own question:
ref audi owners manual

""Cooling system Coolant The purpose of the coolant is to carry heat away from the engine. The correct amount of anti-freeze is important to prevent the cooling system from freezing in winter. The cooling system is filled for life at the factory, so the coolant does not need to be changed. The coolant consists of a mixture of water and anti-freeze additive G12++. This is a glycol-based anti-freeze with anti-corrosion additives. Anti-freeze additive The amount of anti-freeze additive required depends on the temperatures to be expected in the winter season. If the anti-freeze concentration is too low the coolant can freeze, resulting in failure of the cooling system and heater""
 
Humm, there again how many of us think that is a good idea/think? One "good" thing about a car having a cambelt has become having your coolant replaced every four or five years? Now, S4 - well maybe I'll change the coolant at 6 years.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

vw754
cambelt tensioner...pointer sits just below..........................................
Replies
0
Views
891
vw754
vw754
hades-
coolant ?
Replies
0
Views
540
hades-
hades-
audiwaterpump
Coolant level?
Replies
8
Views
1K
audiwaterpump
audiwaterpump
R
Coolant Warning
Replies
3
Views
4K
NHN
NHN
Darren McDonnell
Coolant replacement
Replies
3
Views
1K
jakm15
jakm15
Top
Back