Advice on Head gasket needed !!!

tttoptotty · 22-09-11, 03:54 PM

Slimer is using a lotsof coolant but no liquid on the ground

oil is fine not turned into mayo it's nice and clean

coolant tank has no oil or any other substance in it just the usual coolant etc

but any ideas as to why my coolant lights keeps coming on and it always empty cant see any split pipes of loose clips or any such like

Ive checked the most obvious things but does anyone know if there is some weird and wonderful thing that could be imitating the symptons of a head gasket on it's why out thanks guys

Hanuman · 22-09-11, 04:04 PM

Heater matrix? Carpets damp?

Phil Payne · 22-09-11, 04:23 PM

Coolant can 'burn' and exit through the exhaust pipe. If the antifreeze mix is correct, burnt coolant will smell acrid and 'sharp'. When it gets bad, you'll see white smoke.

stuartmmcfc · 22-09-11, 04:28 PM

there might not be anything on the floor and no signs of split hoses but have another careful look, especially on cold mornings when steam might be more obvious and on the underside of the hood for any stains etc.

Phil Payne · 22-09-11, 05:17 PM

Actually, you need your friendly mobile Audi expert to pop round with a coolant pressure tester:

http://www.isham-research.co.uk/quat...ges/19-170.bmp

You won't find small leaks on a hot engine - the coolant evaporates at source.

tttoptotty · 23-09-11, 05:43 AM

Ive got no damp carpets, no steam and no white smoke so only the usual suspect to be honest boo hoo

John. · 23-09-11, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tttoptotty

Ive got no damp carpets, no steam and no white smoke so only the usual suspect to be honest boo hoo

As already mentioned a small leak when engine hot may be hard to find, don't think the worst, keep an eye on coolant level, allowing to develope might be an idea depending on how good you are at remembering to check/top up coolant.

John.

Hanuman · 23-09-11, 09:04 AM

How often is it 'always emtpy'? Is this a check ever time you drive? Or once a week?
Is the top of the expansion tank clean? Or are there traces of coolant deposits?
are you topping up with proper coolant mix?

John. · 23-09-11, 04:16 PM

One thing that's sometimes overlooked is the cap. If it doesn't hold pressure then the coolant's going to boil at 100 degrees and it'll perculate away. Pressurising the system raises the boiling point.
J.

tttoptotty · 23-09-11, 04:59 PM

Thought that so ADE's have ordered a new cap for me and are going to test it.

Ive got fed up topping it up every day after 10 miles I get up fill it up get the horses 4.6 miles away fill it up again on the return journey and it's well below minimum when I get home

so decided to take to garage today pressure tested just got a text it's fine so he's gonna have a look and replace a few hoses for me and the cap and then run it and see what happens so I will keep you posted.

Thanks for all the info guys and tips your stars x

22-09-11, 04:04 PM	#2
Hanuman Trickster Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Heckling from the cheap seats, Phnom Penh, KoW Posts: 7,006	Heater matrix? Carpets damp? __________________ I wish they would keep the damned Chinese away now that I can go home, so that I can enjoy Fish amok and a draught Angkor

23-09-11, 05:43 AM	#6
tttoptotty Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Middle of Nowhere anyone knows Posts: 1,832	Ive got no damp carpets, no steam and no white smoke so only the usual suspect to be honest boo hoo __________________ Audi the ride of your life

23-09-11, 09:04 AM	#8
Hanuman Trickster Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Heckling from the cheap seats, Phnom Penh, KoW Posts: 7,006	How often is it 'always emtpy'? Is this a check ever time you drive? Or once a week? Is the top of the expansion tank clean? Or are there traces of coolant deposits? are you topping up with proper coolant mix? __________________ I wish they would keep the damned Chinese away now that I can go home, so that I can enjoy Fish amok and a draught Angkor

23-09-11, 04:59 PM	#10
tttoptotty Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Middle of Nowhere anyone knows Posts: 1,832	Thought that so ADE's have ordered a new cap for me and are going to test it. Ive got fed up topping it up every day after 10 miles I get up fill it up get the horses 4.6 miles away fill it up again on the return journey and it's well below minimum when I get home so decided to take to garage today pressure tested just got a text it's fine so he's gonna have a look and replace a few hoses for me and the cap and then run it and see what happens so I will keep you posted. Thanks for all the info guys and tips your stars x __________________ Audi the ride of your life

22-09-11, 04:23 PM	#3
Phil Payne Banned Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sheffield Posts: 1,809	Coolant can 'burn' and exit through the exhaust pipe. If the antifreeze mix is correct, burnt coolant will smell acrid and 'sharp'. When it gets bad, you'll see white smoke.

22-09-11, 04:28 PM	#4
stuartmmcfc 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3,243	there might not be anything on the floor and no signs of split hoses but have another careful look, especially on cold mornings when steam might be more obvious and on the underside of the hood for any stains etc.

22-09-11, 05:17 PM	#5
Phil Payne Banned Join Date: May 2010 Location: Sheffield Posts: 1,809	Actually, you need your friendly mobile Audi expert to pop round with a coolant pressure tester: http://www.isham-research.co.uk/quat...ges/19-170.bmp You won't find small leaks on a hot engine - the coolant evaporates at source.

23-09-11, 04:16 PM	#9
John. 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Scottish Borders. Posts: 7,520	One thing that's sometimes overlooked is the cap. If it doesn't hold pressure then the coolant's going to boil at 100 degrees and it'll perculate away. Pressurising the system raises the boiling point. J.