⚠️ALL S3 8V OWNERS COOLANT LEAK!!!!!!

So..... first time poster, long time Lerker!
Had my 65 plate sportback S3 for few months now but other week got ‘Low Coolant Level’ on dash and low and behold was quite below min level.
Topped up 100ml and all good and today been to get service at Audi and get told thermostat housing leaking and Audi wanting £780 .
3.5 hrs labour at 180 per hour (inc VAT) - They should be wearing a mask as daylight robbery!!

My question is, should I replace water pump, thermostat and belt together?
And, is thermostat and housing all one unit?

Thanks
If you bought it from a garage and less than 3 months ago i'm pretty sure you could get them to fix it under the sale of goods act.
 
I will give them a try good shout, I was sold warranty but is water pump would be covered under warranty but as it is thermostat housing it is not - makes you laugh how any excuse not to pay out!
 
I will give them a try good shout, I was sold warranty but is water pump would be covered under warranty but as it is thermostat housing it is not - makes you laugh how any excuse not to pay out!
I was also sold a 2 year extended warranty and thermostat housing and pump failed within 3 months . warranty covered it. even if it doesn't it goes back to the dealer as goods being sold not fit for purpose for which they are allowed 1 attempt to rectify the problem or you are within your rights to return the car with full refund.
Faults, repairs and refunds
Under the new act, if a fault renders the product not of satisfactory quality, not fit for purpose or not as described, then the buyer is entitled to reject it within the first 30 days.

Between 30 days and 6 months
If a fault comes to light after 30 days but before 6 months you’re entitled to a repair, replacement or refund.

  • It’s assumed in law that the fault was present at the time of purchase unless the seller can prove otherwise.
  • Unless you’ve agreed otherwise, the seller (dealer) has only one opportunity to repair (or replace) the faulty vehicle after which, if they fail to repair it, you’re entitled to a refund.
  • In the event of a refund following a failed attempt at repair during the first six months the seller may make a 'reasonable' adjustment to the amount refunded to take account of the use that you’ve had of the vehicle.
 
@george forbes
So rang them and it was only 2 months ago when bought, gotta ring another manager tomorrow as you are right - Legally I have 3 months statutory warranty with them.
Hope they don’t make me go to them as a good 2 hour drive.
Must admit I didn’t even think to contact them as went straight to warranty company- cheers for heads up
 
Received 427755341506540 Received 2507274959556267 Received 1743762415759224 Received 500525133868632 Received 3039507682941910

Offending thermostat cover, ended up going to my usual mechanic/garage as coolant was dripping out so couldn't wait for my dealer appointment, was raining out when up on ramps so I had to leave it with him. Was apparently leaking from the torx next to the gunk on the housing. Old part number from housing and new part number from box, new housing was the same as the one that came out so I will probably have the same problem in the future. Changed the water pump and pipes etc whilst everything was out. I have lost my faith with Audi due to the lack of empathy but I suppose every manufacturer will be the same, was going to keep the car for up to 10 years as only doing 6500 miles a year, might get itchy feet in the next few years, will see if anything descent comes out which tempts me. Still enjoying the car, fingers crossed that's the last of my problems.
 
Same thing happened to me on the 1.8tfsi, how much did it cost all together to have it done and where did you order the parts from ? TPS would not even give me a price for parts nevermind selling me them
 
£544, local garage in Durham, I've known him for years and had cars serviced and repaired, even the S3 from new, as he's looked after me. Said it was a pig to do with having to dismantle the front of the engine to get at it. He got the parts from a place in Newcastle but not sure where. Did the water pump as well as changing the pipes so was happy with the price compared to the dealer's
 
So after 5 years of ownership from new, this has finally got me too. Took it into Audi dealership for MOT and a new battery and they advised about the thermostat housing leaking......quote £1135 !!!

I made the case that I’ve had the car from new, always had it serviced at the same dealership and the fact it’s only done 19k mikes.......sale of goods act and all that. They tried Audi UK who weren’t interested due to the age of the car. Long and short is that I had it done and they knocked about £250 off. Sounds like a pig of a job to get to and I didn’t really want to hunt around for a reliable independent.

I mentioned this thread as I was aware of it and Audi said that it’s not something they see very much on S3s. Clearly there is an issue........thinking Watchdog or similar? This should be a recall surely as I wouldn’t expect a failure on a car the age of mine with so little mileage and has been cared for etc.
 
Just booked the S3 in to get the coolant leak sorted. It was May last year I first got aware of this but because of my extended warranty I wasn't in a hurry to get it sorted, but the level seems to drop more rapid now.

I'm just posting some pics for people to know what to look for and where to look at the engine since it's pretty hard to find the leak from underneath the car without removing any hoses if you're not knowing where to look - fortunately I did manage to find the leak without disassembling anything (see the last pictures).

The first two pictures is the water pump/thermostat housing position on the engine and the next three pictures are illustrating where I got the leak.

RbHJXKx
SyRuROG


1

61Bv3x24gLL AC SL1034

IMG 3123

Upload 2020 2 20 11 7 9
 
  • Like
Reactions: MikeParkin, Allmine, TonkS3 and 4 others
new water pump and timing belt fitted today to my 13 plate 2.0 tdi 150 for under £300

i have full heat at last
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1172.jpg
    IMG_1172.jpg
    1.8 MB · Views: 512
  • Like
Reactions: pburv
It’s the O ring that goes into the engine side on the Water pump that fails as I’ve done many now. Gti TT S3 Scirocco
 
  • Like
Reactions: MikeParkin
It’s the O ring that goes into the engine side on the Water pump that fails as I’ve done many now. Gti TT S3 Scirocco

So could you just replace the O ring on the original unit and re-fit ?
 
Well that’s good to know then, do you know the size of the O ring.
Unfortunately I didn’t take the size down as it was from my box of O rings but better to have the oem one for the perfect seal although they don’t last very long as you can see from other members complaints and low mileage cars. Worst design they made so far having to remove complete unit to fit the seal and there are two of them. Make sure you put some sealant to hold the O ring in as the one on the block does have a tendency to slip off:dizzy:
 
  • Like
Reactions: MikeParkin
Does anyone have the part number for the unit ?
 
My 2014 S3's thermostat started leaking at just under 14,000 miles in January 2020 - cost was just under £800 including getting the water pump done at the same time. I've attached a copy of the invoice in case anyone's interested.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1069.jpg
    IMG_1069.jpg
    179.1 KB · Views: 481
My 2014 S3's thermostat started leaking at just under 14,000 miles in January 2020 - cost was just under £800 including getting the water pump done at the same time. I've attached a copy of the invoice in case anyone's interested.
Ouch if that’s just parts then I paid £370ish for parts irrc and labour I’ve charged £200 thats parts from TPS.

why no charge for the belt and the three bolts are fixed onto the pump so don’t know why they’re charging for that plus extra seal rings! Only one ring and gasket is required when you buy a complete stay off them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MikeParkin
Another one to add to the list - mine's a 2015 S3, a few months off 5 years old and approx 24k on the clock. Ironically, I got my first 'stop engine and check coolant' warning on the way to the dealership for a service this morning.
Was told that thermostat housing and pump need replacing, at a cost of £1057, but later told that Audi would foot the bill for one of the parts (housing?) and that it would be a approx £950 give or take a bit.

Pathetic that they get away with what is obviously a design flaw or faulty part.

Jon
 
  • Like
Reactions: Allmine
Another one to add to the list - mine's a 2015 S3, a few months off 5 years old and approx 24k on the clock. Ironically, I got my first 'stop engine and check coolant' warning on the way to the dealership for a service this morning.
Was told that thermostat housing and pump need replacing, at a cost of £1057, but later told that Audi would foot the bill for one of the parts (housing?) and that it would be a approx £950 give or take a bit.

Pathetic that they get away with what is obviously a design flaw or faulty part.

Jon
:scared2: who are they kidding :search: seriously that’s robbing consumers blind :sob: I wanna rip them apart with my finger nails :box:
 
Same problem with me as well. 2014 S3 with 60,000 on the clock so fair amount of miles, must be such a small leak though as only have to top up the smallest amount every few months, but not sure when the leak started as was found at my first service with Audi in august, had only owned the car a couple months :unamused:

Tried Audi UK to see if they'd be willing to part pay as Audi Oxford quoted me £1200 :flushed: But obviously this is not a common fault so they wasn't interested.

Interim service next month so will have to bite the bullet and get it done:weary:
 
So I got it fixed yesterday and just saved £1.000 because of my extended warranty so I'm happy after all - now the JB4 can be put back on!:racer:
 
Another one to add to the list - mine's a 2015 S3, a few months off 5 years old and approx 24k on the clock. Ironically, I got my first 'stop engine and check coolant' warning on the way to the dealership for a service this morning.
Was told that thermostat housing and pump need replacing, at a cost of £1057, but later told that Audi would foot the bill for one of the parts (housing?) and that it would be a approx £950 give or take a bit.

Pathetic that they get away with what is obviously a design flaw or faulty part.

Jon

Big up Audi Cambridge. They got on the case with head office for me and argued that a failure like that after 23k on an unmolested car with FASH wasn't on, and managed to reduce the bill to just less than half the original quote. Still don't like paying nearly £500 but rather that than £1057!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chris.D and MikeParkin
...and another one.
2017 MY S3 just hit 50,000 miles.
Whilst it is over three years old, fortunately I bought in last year from an Audi dealer so it was covered by the warranty which runs out at the end of March.
 
Add me to the list. I don’t have any Audi dealer nearby so took it into my local Seat dealer to get the coolant changed and was told they hadn’t done it as it had a leak at the thermostat housing. 2015 S3 8V with just over 51,000 miles on it. Not had a price yet as I’ve still to collect the car.
 
Add me to the list. I don’t have any Audi dealer nearby so took it into my local Seat dealer to get the coolant changed and was told they hadn’t done it as it had a leak at the thermostat housing. 2015 S3 8V with just over 51,000 miles on it. Not had a price yet as I’ve still to collect the car.
If you go to Audi, it will cost you between £750 to £1000. My 64 plate had the issue at Christmas. Had the car since new and 20k on the clock. Could not get Audi to admit to a known issue. Believe the new housings are made of metal rather than cheese.
 
  • Like
Reactions: N.J.H
Why this only happening to an S3? now it puts me of to buy one.....:suspicion:

It’s the thermostat housing design on the EA888 Gen 3 engine - not just S3. The only other spec to use that engine design is the 1.8 (and it suffers too), but the 1.8 was only on sale in UK for 2 years during PFL.

On the flip side, the EA888 Gen 3 excluding USA in both 1.8 & 2.0 (S3 up to MY19 / pre WLTP) has 8 fuel injectors: 4 direct and 4 indirect. Apart from the performance/economy advantages, the indirect injection means intake valves are less likely to get coked up. Indirect injection was removed for MY19/WLTP.
 
Last edited:
Add me to the list. I don’t have any Audi dealer nearby so took it into my local Seat dealer to get the coolant changed and was told they hadn’t done it as it had a leak at the thermostat housing. 2015 S3 8V with just over 51,000 miles on it. Not had a price yet as I’ve still to collect the car.

And they want £895!
 
Looks like a fiddly job to do but not impossible if you are handy with diy mechanics...This guy reckons it took him around three hours to complete.....
 
  • Like
Reactions: MikhailCompo
Looks like a fiddly job to do but not impossible if you are handy with diy mechanics...This guy reckons it took him around three hours to complete.....


A lot easier when you have a lift, etc.
 
Add me to the list. My facelift November 2016 registered Audi S3 was bought by me from an independent dealer in Edinburgh. Alba motor company (such nice guys that run that place). The vehicle was just a few days short of its third birthday so they put the car into Edinburgh Audi for a MOT and health check a couple of days before I collected it. The dealer noticed the leaking thermostat/housing so did everything under manufacturers warranty just in the nick of time. The mileage back then was on 28,000 and the work was done in Nov 2019.

It’s an absolute farce that there is no recall on this. Has anyone ever had to do it twice? Can I expect mine to fail in another 3 years/28k miles or has the offending part since been redesigned?
 
Add me to the list. My facelift November 2016 registered Audi S3 was bought by me from an independent dealer in Edinburgh. Alba motor company (such nice guys that run that place). The vehicle was just a few days short of its third birthday so they put the car into Edinburgh Audi for a MOT and health check a couple of days before I collected it. The dealer noticed the leaking thermostat/housing so did everything under manufacturers warranty just in the nick of time. The mileage back then was on 28,000 and the work was done in Nov 2019.

It’s an absolute farce that there is no recall on this. Has anyone ever had to do it twice? Can I expect mine to fail in another 3 years/28k miles or has the offending part since been redesigned?

Short answers yes - BUT it's not like the pump housing has been changed to metal or anything, all I know is that the latest revision is M and they have made some changes since revision A - maybe someone can say what revision their failing pump was?

That said, you need to make sure that they actually don't fit another revision pump than M (or newer).

 
Last edited:
At my local garage I can have it for £300 think they ripped you off
They must be doing it for free then as the genuine Audi thermostat housing alone is about £220. I also had the water pump changed and all the gaskets.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CraigM

Similar threads

Replies
14
Views
15K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
19
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
1K