Engine Coolant Warning

Z

zaka7

Registered User
Joined
Aug 21, 2017
Messages
565
Reaction score
405
Points
63
I was driving around today and about half a mile from home I got the 3 beeps and "Turn off engine now and check coolant" The oil temp was around 105 degrees (had been sat in traffic) I continued home, and once I got moving more freely, The oil temp dropped back to the more normal 92 degrees, and as I parked on my driveway the warning disappeared entirely before I shut off the engine.

I checked the levels and see the attached photos, way below the minimum! Obviously with it still being hot as this was immediately after my drive, I have done nothing yet and will wait for it to cool down, I am also unsure what the dampness around the oil filler is! It was raining so hopefully just that!!

Has anyone else experienced similar? I hope that it was just an air bubble in the system that ran through and all should be ok once cool and I restart, But I have never had this in any car I have owned, So thought I'd put it out to you knowledgeable folk!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_7026.JPG
    IMG_7026.JPG
    1.8 MB · Views: 7,633
  • IMG_7027.JPG
    IMG_7027.JPG
    1.3 MB · Views: 4,833
zaka7 said:
I was driving around today and about half a mile from home I got the 3 beeps and "Turn off engine now and check coolant" The oil temp was around 105 degrees (had been sat in traffic) I continued home, and once I got moving more freely, The oil temp dropped back to the more normal 92 degrees, and as I parked on my driveway the warning disappeared entirely before I shut off the engine.

I checked the levels and see the attached photos, way below the minimum! Obviously with it still being hot as this was immediately after my drive, I have done nothing yet and will wait for it to cool down, I am also unsure what the dampness around the oil filler is! It was raining so hopefully just that!!

Has anyone else experienced similar? I hope that it was just an air bubble in the system that ran through and all should be ok once cool and I restart, But I have never had this in any car I have owned, So thought I'd put it out to you knowledgeable folk!
Click to expand...
They do seem to "use" coolant, I did have an issue with one of the steel coolant pipes weeping slightly but even when that was fixed I still had to top up a little every couple of months.

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk
 
My RS3 is currently with Audi for the same thing happening to me, they've had it since Wednesday and seems like they're scratching their heads! My coolant levels keep dropping after every fast drive, when I go to fill it up (after letting cool down), the coolant level then comes back up into the reservoir to the correct level. This keeps repeating itself after every few drives out. It has actually spat out coolant from the top of the cap twice on a very hard spin out. I made my own post about it a month or so back. I thought it might be connected to my APR remap, took it back to stock and all was fine for 3 weeks, but it then started up again so booked it into the dealers to look at.

I'll keep you posted as to what they find out.
 
cjm999 said:
My RS3 is currently with Audi for the same thing happening to me, they've had it since Wednesday and seems like they're scratching their heads! My coolant levels keep dropping after every fast drive, when I go to fill it up (after letting cool down), the coolant level then comes back up into the reservoir to the correct level. This keeps repeating itself after every few drives out. It has actually spat out coolant from the top of the cap twice on a very hard spin out. I made my own post about it a month or so back. I thought it might be connected to my APR remap, took it back to stock and all was fine for 3 weeks, but it then started up again so booked it into the dealers to look at.

I'll keep you posted as to what they find out.
Click to expand...

I’m just waiting for something like this to happen to mine now! I am popping into Audi on Wednesday anyway so will pick up some coolant as most have reported it not coming back on this thread.

Have Audi said anything about the map out of curiosity?

Good luck with it, I will keep on the thread to see the outcome.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Phil3
AudiNutta said:
I’m just waiting for something like this to happen to mine now! I am popping into Audi on Wednesday anyway so will pick up some coolant as most have reported it not coming back on this thread.

Have Audi said anything about the map out of curiosity?

Good luck with it, I will keep on the thread to see the outcome.
Click to expand...

No mention of the map yet, it was put back to stock map but not sure if that makes much difference!
 
audi upgrades
cjm999 said:
No mention of the map yet, it was put back to stock map but not sure if that makes much difference!
Click to expand...

It’s not what map is on there, it’s the flash counter and they will see now your car has been flashed twice that they don’t have a record of and that’s what will make them put a TD1 flag on it.
 
Very common on the 2.0T engines in the S3 and it's nothing at all to worry about. You will notice that if you stop the car, unscrew the cap (slowly) and introduce air into the coolant tank the level will come up. When the system is cold next morning you will see the tank back up to maximum levels again.

CJM999 post above describes the symptoms also. There's countless threads on it in the 2.0T section.

Zaka7, do not put oil in there, you referenced oil quite a few times in your opening post ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: NevMan and Javbomb
Leo-RS said:
Very common on the 2.0T engines in the S3 and it's nothing at all to worry about. You will notice that if you stop the car, unscrew the cap (slowly) and introduce air into the coolant tank the level will come up. When the system is cold next morning you will see the tank back up to maximum levels again.

CJM999 post above describes the symptoms also. There's countless threads on it in the 2.0T section.

Zaka7, do not put oil in there, you referenced oil quite a few times in your opening post ;)
Click to expand...

I was having the low coolant warning after every time I put my foot to the floor, the faster I drove the quicker the level dropped, definitely something not right there. Audi did a pressure test overnight and told me there was a leak but didn't know where from, I'm told that it's currently being stripped down and has been referred to Audi Technical, whatever that means.
 
Leo-RS said:
Very common on the 2.0T engines in the S3 and it's nothing at all to worry about. You will notice that if you stop the car, unscrew the cap (slowly) and introduce air into the coolant tank the level will come up. When the system is cold next morning you will see the tank back up to maximum levels again.

CJM999 post above describes the symptoms also. There's countless threads on it in the 2.0T section.

Zaka7, do not put oil in there, you referenced oil quite a few times in your opening post ;)
Click to expand...

Haha, I won't :) I only referenced oil because that was the highest oil temp I had seen which was coincidentally alongside this coolant warning, and then obviously the dampness around the oil screw cap. I just found it all rather unusual.

I took the car to Audi in the end as the levels never returned when cool, or when I introduced air into the system.

More than likely standard spiel, like a doctors 'come back in 2 weeks' but Audi told me that it was a common issue that they were not fully filled from the factory, and that all should be good now, They did say you should never have to top it up twice between services, so come back if it happens again as there is a deeper issue.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AudiNutta
zaka7 said:
Haha, I won't :) I only referenced oil because that was the highest oil temp I had seen which was coincidentally alongside this coolant warning, and then obviously the dampness around the oil screw cap. I just found it all rather unusual.

I took the car to Audi in the end as the levels never returned when cool, or when I introduced air into the system.

More than likely standard spiel, like a doctors 'come back in 2 weeks' but Audi told me that it was a common issue that they were not fully filled from the factory, and that all should be good now, They did say you should never have to top it up twice between services, so come back if it happens again as there is a deeper issue.
Click to expand...


I can maybe see why vacuum filling them doesn't fully work.....

When i replaced the Golf GTD timing belt a few months back i bought a Vacuum filling system that used a venturi effect with compressed air, it collapses the hoses on the cooling system, then it pulls through the fresh coolant when you open the valve to allow air to rush back in.

It was very quick to refill the system with no air locks, however i did have to top up the system after a while because the level dropped below minimum level.

It's been ok since the top up, so i'm guessing maybe it's not a 100% effective fill.
 
I have had this too and had the light come up several times. I just stopped and unscrewed the cap slowly and it came back up. But I have some coolant to top up if needed. It clearly shouldn't be doing this but it doesn’t seem to be a big issue; just an annoying one.

However I personally would pull over and let it cool down and not just continue driving as I wouldn’t want to risk any more serious issues for the sake of 1 minute of being stopped and unscrewing it.
 
So, Audi York have had my car for a full week so far. Just got a call from them and they've said that I need a new head gasket! It's done 6500 miles, what the hell?! Really doesn't make any sense to me and sounds like they're clutching at straws to be honest. Anyway, it will be next week until they get the parts to fit so the waiting game continues.
 
cjm999 said:
So, Audi York have had my car for a full week so far. Just got a call from them and they've said that I need a new head gasket! It's done 6500 miles, what the hell?! Really doesn't make any sense to me and sounds like they're clutching at straws to be honest. Anyway, it will be next week until they get the parts to fit so the waiting game continues.
Click to expand...

Has it actually been using coolant ?
 
cjm999 said:
So, Audi York have had my car for a full week so far. Just got a call from them and they've said that I need a new head gasket! It's done 6500 miles, what the hell?! Really doesn't make any sense to me and sounds like they're clutching at straws to be honest. Anyway, it will be next week until they get the parts to fit so the waiting game continues.
Click to expand...

So without sounding stupid what does the head gasket have to do with low coolant? Is the coolant evaporating throughly the gaps in the gasket mate?
 
DW81 said:
So without sounding stupid what does the head gasket have to do with low coolant? Is the coolant evaporating throughly the gaps in the gasket mate?
Click to expand...

Coolant passes thru the gasket cut outs as it circulates around the system, if gasket fails coolant can find it’s way into combustion chambers, hence the drop in level.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DW81
I've had two issues, one being the coolant level dropping after hard driving (but comes back up again when lifting the reservoir cap), and on two occasions it has come through the cap and spat out into the engine bay (thus requiring a top up).
 
cjm999 said:
I've had two issues, one being the coolant level dropping after hard driving (but comes back up again when lifting the reservoir cap), and on two occasions it has come through the cap and spat out into the engine bay (thus requiring a top up).
Click to expand...

That can be a sign of combustion gasses pressurising the whole system if they are being forced into it.
 
T-800 said:
That can be a sign of combustion gasses pressurising the whole system if they are being forced into it.
Click to expand...

So would a new head gasket fix that?
 
****** hell this all sounds trumpy if warranty do not play ball
 
cjm999 said:
So, Audi York have had my car for a full week so far. Just got a call from them and they've said that I need a new head gasket! It's done 6500 miles, what the hell?! Really doesn't make any sense to me and sounds like they're clutching at straws to be honest. Anyway, it will be next week until they get the parts to fit so the waiting game continues.
Click to expand...
Oy Oy new ally engine alert!

TX.

Sent from my BBB100-2 using Tapatalk
 
  • Like
Reactions: AudiNutta
Surely there would be other symptoms if it's head gasket? What would typically cause head gasket issues?
 
On another VAG vehicle (Transporter T6) I had an issue with coolant leaking into the EGR (exhaust gas recirc) valve. It manifested itself in white steam from the exhaust, which we all panicked and thought was white smoke and a head gasket gone, but it was fine as the EGRV appears in the system between the exhaust ports on the head and the exhaust system, so no engine damage. I have been wondering if some of these coolant leakage issues could be for similar reasons? That said I dont even know if the RS3 has an EGRV....
 
cjm999 said:
So, Audi York have had my car for a full week so far. Just got a call from them and they've said that I need a new head gasket! It's done 6500 miles, what the hell?! Really doesn't make any sense to me and sounds like they're clutching at straws to be honest. Anyway, it will be next week until they get the parts to fit so the waiting game continues.
Click to expand...

Wow I’m surprised at that! Maybe worth telling them you aren’t happy with the engine being opened up so soon and you want a new engine complete, some believe that they aren’t the same once they have been opened.
 
AudiNutta said:
Is that for the block or inc turbo?
Click to expand...
I’m not sure Matt, I see someone post up a price list and I’m sure that is the engine block only mate, could be wrong though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AudiNutta
They can test the coolant for combustion gasses most garages have that capability so I would expect its one of the tests they have done
 
  • Like
Reactions: T-800
zaka7 said:
I was driving around today and about half a mile from home I got the 3 beeps and "Turn off engine now and check coolant" The oil temp was around 105 degrees (had been sat in traffic) I continued home, and once I got moving more freely, The oil temp dropped back to the more normal 92 degrees, and as I parked on my driveway the warning disappeared entirely before I shut off the engine.

I checked the levels and see the attached photos, way below the minimum! Obviously with it still being hot as this was immediately after my drive, I have done nothing yet and will wait for it to cool down, I am also unsure what the dampness around the oil filler is! It was raining so hopefully just that!!

Has anyone else experienced similar? I hope that it was just an air bubble in the system that ran through and all should be ok once cool and I restart, But I have never had this in any car I have owned, So thought I'd put it out to you knowledgeable folk!
Click to expand...
i had the same issue. i waited till the car was cold and the level was low. refilled took it to a specialist who connected the reservoir drained under pressure incase it was a air lock.. refilled and i never had the issue again. car at the time was less than 1000 miles. now on 16k and not happened again..
 
Reading the SSP 661 engine design document, these engines have very complex cooling arrangements, at the foot of page 41 there is a specific warning that to allow safe filling and bleeding of the system the cooling control valves need to be set in a service position, the whole section on cooling is pretty interesting if you like that sort of thing :crying:
 
  • Like
Reactions: teslaboy
I had the coolant beep last week, went off during the same drive and then back on again so it was just at the min level and when braking or taking a corner the movement was setting the sensor off.

I'm pretty sure it's been just above min since new and was just below. Topped up and will keep an eye on it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
A little concerning. A guy over in the TTRS forum is having a new engine because of a knackered engine that was highlighted because of a low coolant warning.
 
Checked this morning and OK. Will keep an eye on it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Reference the picture in OP, mine has had oil come out of the filler cap and I've reported it to Audi. Also ran to 107 degrees in traffic which scared the living **** out of me (granted, I was dealing with that start stop traffic in dynamic, but even so...)

Going in at some point for a new oil filler cap. Hopefully that's all it is.

Edit: My car is totally stock and, for as long as it's within warranty, always will be. This sort of stuff scares the life out of me!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Spinstorm
Coolant Level warning?
Replies
4
Views
2K
cjm999
cjm999
XPOWER
Low Coolant Warning
Replies
9
Views
6K
jimojameso
jimojameso
G
Coolant leaking to engine in RS3, any similar experiences?
Replies
26
Views
2K
northpole
northpole
mac1403
Coolant temp
Replies
9
Views
2K
purdy1984
purdy1984
S
Facelift Coolant Issues
Replies
9
Views
3K
Canadian RS3
C
Top
Back