I've just joined the 8V water pump club

[JohnM100]

I am not the expert and was just throwing the idea out there but *if* this is a cause then wonder if it would be more likely to be the transition between WOT & then slowing down (& hence localised boiling as water flow reduced before heat dissipated) than a normal engine warm up or switch off cycle; the latter being covered by the over-run water pump and a slower end of journey (unless it's a rapid stop and start-stop kicks in)

Those engines are designed to run pretty hot so less headroom to absorb heat soak when coolant flow reduced.

 

[ACWKGYTO]

F'ing red coolant warning light rush hour traffic M6 on Friday, had to stop on the hard shoulder, extremely dangerous, Audi Assistance sent AA, top bloke, added water, drove home. Checked coolant level today and its dropped by 2 to 3 cm

Car has done 8k miles

Not impressed !

 

[Martinbanshee]

My car is in for a service on Wednesday and also to get the coolant issue looked at. It'll be interesting to see what they say as the Audi tech I spoke to has an S3 and said its a known issue and suggested it's possibly trapped air as a lot of cars have no more issues after topping up the coolant once. He also said it usually happens between 8-15k miles.
I've reserved judgment for the moment.

 

[ACWKGYTO]

Mine has dropped by 2 to 3 cm in the last 24 hours since being topped up for the first time by AA !

On the phone to Audi Assistance (which is a lie in its self because you cant get an Audi technician unless youre willing to wait hours or even days for one)

AA guy very nice but doesnt carry the diagnostic equipment ! Surely they would sort them out with it if they are going to use them instead of running their own fleet !

Audi cutting corners ! Not happy

Apparently the joke is.....What does AA stand for......?

Audi Assistance !

 

[Martinbanshee]

Mine hasn't moved since topping up with G13, got a free bottle from the dealer.

 

[veeeight]

Mine is still drinking coolant at a slow, but steady rate.

I think this "trapped air" theory is them clutching at straws.

 

[Martinbanshee]

So do I V8 , I'm just letting them go through the motions as long as it doesn't cost me a penny. I think the bathed exhaust manifold is possibly the culprit.

 

[veeeight]

Yes, my money is on evaporation because of this integrated manifold (as @JohnM100 intimated).

I guess there's always a price to pay being consumers of a new engine design.


What I would like to see though, is an acknowledgement from Audi that a problem does exist (instead of denial) - and an interim solution for everyone, in the form of free G13 coolant (because I'm sure some people are being asked to pay/buy).

 

[G-S3]

I'm I the only person who's S3 works perfectly without any issues?!

 

[veeeight]

Give it time

 

[Snibo]

He rang the dealership and spoke to head of maintenance and chief mechanic....both independently side its normal after refilling for the levels to drop as the air in the system is replaced by the coolant....by which I replied;
a) why didn't you guys drive it then top it up before giving it back to me???, and/or
b) tell me this was going to happen before I drove off with it!

This exact same thing happened to my buddy as well.
Why on earth they don't take it for a little spin, sort out the top-up and hand it back to the customer all finished !?!?

When they don't, the customer has to take it back to get it sorted again.
Leaves a bad experience and negative comments - and they are supposed to be the experts ?!

 

[veeeight]

Audi dealers (And Audi UK must take some responsibility) really have a long way to go in terms of looking after Audi customers.

My local dealership guys are very helpful, but ultimately even they are hampered by what Audi Technical (UK) will permit them to do.

 

[ACWKGYTO]

Got the official fix for this today from an Audi Technician through Audi Assistance....My System was pressure tested...no leaks but apparently air can get into the system during the factory install. Then through ODIS diagnostic the cooling system was vented as per bulletin 19K6
The coolant also needs to be halfway between the max line and the round lip of the reservoir when cold, check when cold only.
Have driven the car since, not far but its holding, will check again tomorrow, but have been told thats it, sorted.

 

[veeeight]

Ive had all that done!

This post details the TPI, and a few posts down, the illustration of the coolant expansion bottle and the "new" fill line:

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/audi-s3-8v-misfiring-and-coolant.228284/page-2#post-2330317

 

[ACWKGYTO]

Ive had all that done!

This post details the TPI, and a few posts down, the illustration of the coolant expansion bottle and the "new" fill line:

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/audi-s3-8v-misfiring-and-coolant.228284/page-2#post-2330317

OH F.CK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Were all doomed !

 

[Martinbanshee]

It's coolant, not WW3

 

[ACWKGYTO]

Gives me a good excuse to buy something else !

Its a known fault, problem is they cant build the cars fast enough and were the guinea pigs

We should be paid something to test them in real life conditions rather than just paying through the nose to own them and putting up with this baloney.

JOKERS !!!!

 

[veeeight]

Alternatively ......

Don't drive the card hard - so it never gets hot enough to lose coolant

Don't go over 4500 rpm, treat it as if you're running it in

 

[ACWKGYTO]

Alternatively ......

Don't drive the card hard - so it never gets hot enough to lose coolant

DO bears sh.t in the woods ?

 

[Martinbanshee]

Look, It's not a problem, once they find the leak they can install a hose from the leak back into the expansion tank. No more coolant loss! Hooray!!
Also, give them plenty time, they've a ton of Diesel engines to fix first, 18 months should do it.

In the meantime just drive below 4500 rpm as V8 says and stop moaning.

 

[veeeight]

OMG

Coolantgeddon !!!!

 

[Martinbanshee]

Haha, it's away to erupt...and not just the expansion chamber

 

[ACWKGYTO]

Right im going out to attempt to break my car...will report back later !

 

[veeeight]

Remember, keep it under 4500 rpm

 

[ACWKGYTO]

Remember, keep it under 4500 rpm

 

[Martinbanshee]

Coolant hasn't budged since I topped it up

 

[veeeight]

That's low

(see post #54 for the illustration

 

[Martinbanshee]

Yeah, it's lower than the revised level but exactly where I filled it to with the free bottle of G13 they gave me. I don't want to overfill it until it's been looked at by Audi on Wednesday and they give me the go ahead to do it. From past experience I'm just playing safe, I don't want to give them any reason to blame anything else.
If there is an official revised level I'll be expecting proper markings applied to my existing tank or a new tank with revised mark. They're not getting near my car with a Sharpie

 

[Wondering Soul]

Coolant hasn't budged since I topped it up

Mine has been sat exactly where yours is depicted from the day I got the car! Mine is in line with the bottom of the first row of 'x's from the top. Has been through one normal service and an inspection service and nothing has ever been said..last inspection says level checked and is ok..

 

[Martinbanshee]

That's where my level sat for 10 ½ months until a mad blast to Inverness and back saw it drop below minimum. I undid the cap and it bubbled back to the correct level but dropped back to minimum shortly afterwards. I topped up with G13 and it has been fine so far but I'm still on the fence whether I've got an issue or not, time will tell.

 

[Wondering Soul]

I see.

Well I've literally just ticked over the 20k mark not long ago and no issues yet *touch wood*. Longest journey I regularly do is 150 miles up to Cardiff and 150 miles back home!

 

[gamegenie]

Gives me a good excuse to buy something else !

Its a known fault, problem is they cant build the cars fast enough and were the guinea pigs

We should be paid something to test them in real life conditions rather than just paying through the nose to own them and putting up with this baloney.

JOKERS !!!!

You got that right about guinea pigs.

Its seems the B9 A4 has everything the A3 was suppose to get tech wise.


Why oh why did Audi not stick to the damn A3 Concept car of 2011.


Looking at those Dynamic Indicators on the front and tail of the B9 A4.
Looking at that full LCD driver info system on the gear cluster on the B9 A4, makes me sad to know Audi didn't even bring the A3 family the wider driver info system that was similar to the A6, A7, and A8.

I almost passed out when I saw the new Chrysler 200 driver info system LCD look identical to what the A3 Concept had.
Now I see just about every economy car going either full or half full LCD on the instrument cluster.

Look at that 2016 Honda Civic instrument cluster.



But Audi says the next A3 will have FULL LCD.. Key word Next... not ours.

 

[Martinbanshee]

Being realistic here, the A3/S3 is well down the ladder of Audi models so it gets the appropriate spec compared to its bigger brothers with a cheaper price to match. You'll get the cool stuff when the time is right for Audi.

 

[musicegbdf]

Sorry Mr Plod , I was only speeding so I could check my coolant level doesn't drop !
Do you think I will get away with it.

 

[Martinbanshee]

Yeah, you'll be fine. If he gives you any trouble just give him the link to this thread

 

[ACWKGYTO]

Mine has been fine since venting.

 

[vacant]

Could I be a two time member of the water pump club? New pump in October, low coolant light on again yesterday...

Car has been otherwise faultless, but this a little bit annoying

 

[veeeight]

Mine has drunk around 1.5 litres of G13 coolant, through "air locks"

Yeah right, Audi

 

[Blackwhite]

Mine has drunk around 1.5 litres of G13 coolant, through "air locks"

Yeah right, Audi

veeeight------ Your car sure is a thirsty ******.

 

[RO65ERS]

Mine has drunk around 1.5 litres of G13 coolant, through "air locks"

Yeah right, Audi

Mines done around 0.75l in 7k.
I just check it every two weeks. If it needs topping up I top it up.

I own a pressure tester. I can't see obvious signs of a leak.

I do not agree coolant should be lost as it's a sealed system but I understand the level will raise when hot and cold.

Still I hope I don't have any issues as my remap is booked next week so bye bye warranty.