Problems already really oh no :(

[DeanW]

Hey people
Just over a week or so now since I bought the car and after just 200 or so miles I have coolant light on last night filled up the coolant light went of went to work just 7 miles away this morning then after the shift I have light on again got home and there was less water in than the first time light came on. Temp gadge dropped to near cold What could of happend? There is no steam from exhaust and no smell of coolant. No mayo on dipstick when I looked under the bonnet there was a small amount of water on the under car protection but looked as though it was half dried up I you get me? Anyone with info please let me know. Car is Audi A3 54 plate 1.9 tdi. Thank you in advance. Dean

 

[Sayam]

Most likely a leak somewhere in the water system

 

[T8DPR]

no puddles on the floor where you park? see if the radiator is in decent condition not leaking from the bottom, if that's not it, check for leaks from pipes

**important** did you buy privately or from a garage?

 

[phil miller]

could be a few things, Rad and water pump and EGR cooler are common, get it pressure tested

 

[DeanW]

Thanks for response. I can't see puddles as its been raining here all day but tomorrow I will take off the under panel to investigate further and will let you people know if you wish to help me further. I heard about the egr cooler very expensive hope it's not this if it was this would I not be getting steam from exhaust? How much are pressure test these days and would it find a leak in the cooler as they leak internally don't they? I have a invoice of the pump being done with timing belt at 177k miles now on 191k. I bought the car from a dealer but sold with no warranty Sorry and thanks again people. Dean

 

[Dannymoto]

Thanks for response. I can't see puddles as its been raining here all day but tomorrow I will take off the under panel to investigate further and will let you people know if you wish to help me further. I heard about the egr cooler very expensive hope it's not this if it was this would I not be getting steam from exhaust? How much are pressure test these days and would it find a leak in the cooler as they leak internally don't they? I have a invoice of the pump being done with timing belt at 177k miles now on 191k. I bought the car from a dealer but sold with no warranty Sorry and thanks again people. Dean

I think you have up to 30 days to take the car back if you bought from a dealer. Could be wrong.

Pressure test was £42 including VAT at my local Audi Specialist garage.

Worth checking to see if it's leaking, my old Audi was losing coolant and was down to the radiator. Was on similar mileage also (without my knowing) that's a story for another day though

 

[phil miller]

I think you have up to 30 days to take the car back if you bought from a dealer. Could be wrong.

its actually 6 months by law, but dealers will never tell a buyer that

 

[Matt268uk]

Just over a week and only 200 miles or so, after pressure testing depending on results I'd be going back and talking to the dealer.

 

[T8DPR]

consumer rights act (superseding the sale of goods act) states 6 months by law when bought from a garage

HOWEVER (and this is very important as its a loophole many don't know about), even if bought from a garage if it's something like a £500 px bargain, OR a car that has effectively done a lifetime's worth of driving, i.e. a reasonably high miler, the 6-months-by-law rule does not apply

 

[downtothebone]

What's a 'lifetimes worth of driving' - surely a lawyer would have a field day with that kind of statement.

 

[DeanW]

sorry I made everyone miss understand I bought from a garage not a dealer. Car cost me £2100

I investigated further to the leak today I have picture of the leak. Was a fast drip and is on the passenger side nearly under the battery. The picture withe the starter motor the wire loom near it was dripping from it. Hope you understand.
Does the radiator fan come on soon after start up on these cars too as the fan comes on even when engine is cold but goes off etc I this suppose to happen?

Any help please would be great.
Dean

 

[SootySport]

The heater unit is behind the glove box which is just about behind the battery. Maybe the heater pipes or heater matrix has a leak.

 

[T8DPR]

sorry I made everyone miss understand I bought from a garage not a dealer...

same thing, just means not a private sale off someone's driveway

What's a 'lifetimes worth of driving' - surely a lawyer would have a field day with that kind of statement.

they probably would, that wasn't a direct quote from the consumer rights act, but basically a car that has considerably higher mileage than average

his 54 plate with 191,000 may still fall within the requirements of the 6 months by law warranty and worth asking the garage or even taking matters further, just wanted him to be aware that "6 months by law" would not comprehensively apply to every single car bought from a garage

 

[DeanW]

Update: I found the leak turn out to me right in front of me in the first place, the wiring loom which runs near the starter motor had cut a grove in the bottom rad hose (small hose not large) see picture. take it this will be the movement of the engine and heat of the pipe combined to cut the grove. Going to have to source a new one from somewhere. Tried to get the hose off the rad to make temp repair but the pipe has heat welded itself onto the rad very hard. Thanks. Dean

 

[SootySport]

Thankfully an easy and cheap fix. I wouldn't try a temp fix on hot water, just change the bottom hose. Cut the old hose of with a Stanley knife, gently, or you'll cut the pipe connector.

 

[Matt268uk]

You could ask Mike to source you one @mjr901. just send him a message through the parts request at the top of the page.

 

[T8DPR]

If you have any more issues bear this in mind... while your car may not qualify for the 6months-by-law rule due to its mileage it does qualify for a refund within 30 days of purchase if it does prove to be faulty