I bought my A2 less than two weeks ago from a garage, I've driven it about 250 miles and when I parked up today I noticed a trail of liquid from where I had reversed into the drive and when I checked underneath the car there was a steady drip coming from the underside near the front of the vehicle but not directly under the engine. It continued dripping consistently a long while after the engine had been off. I have taken the bonnet off and can see no visible signs of leaking from that angle and I have tried starting the vehicle again to see if I can see anything happening whilst it's running. Strangely enough the dripping seemed to slow whilst the engine was running and when I turned it off again, whilst the bonnet was off I heard a hissing sound from the engine which stopped after about 30 seconds to a minute. I also noticed whilst the engine was running that the coolant/water seemed to be bubbling almost. At no point has the temperature gauge on the dash risen above normal temperature and the water level remains the same as it was when I bought the car. There is no white residue amongst the oil on the dipstick either. Can anyone suggest what this could be please?
A2 1.4 SE leak and hissing noise once engine is off
- Thread starter Wicksy
- Start date
Try letting the car cool completely and then carefully remove the coolant cap, there should not be any residual pressure (or minimal) if it lets a lot of pressure out it could be exhaust gasses leaking into the coolant. A garage can test for this.
I would suggest that you approach the garage you bought it from as I would suggest the problem was there before you bought it and even if no warranty offered you have rights if car was mis sold (unless explicitly sold on trade terms).
Other issues could be water pump failed and boiling system, but usually the temp gauge rises.
I would suggest that you approach the garage you bought it from as I would suggest the problem was there before you bought it and even if no warranty offered you have rights if car was mis sold (unless explicitly sold on trade terms).
Other issues could be water pump failed and boiling system, but usually the temp gauge rises.
Hello, thank you for responding 
my journeys are usually longer - at least 15 miles and usually 50 as I work that far from home but have the use of a company car as well so I manage to keep the mileage down on mine. Thought Id better try it out on the longer journeys sooner rather than later and good job I did. I've spoken to the garage I bought the car from and they said I could bring it back for them to have a look at but they didn't seem very fussed on helping tbh. Which is why I thought I'd see what suggestions I could get on here before they filled me with some possibly not entire truths?? Thanks ever so much for your input.
my journeys are usually longer - at least 15 miles and usually 50 as I work that far from home but have the use of a company car as well so I manage to keep the mileage down on mine. Thought Id better try it out on the longer journeys sooner rather than later and good job I did. I've spoken to the garage I bought the car from and they said I could bring it back for them to have a look at but they didn't seem very fussed on helping tbh. Which is why I thought I'd see what suggestions I could get on here before they filled me with some possibly not entire truths?? Thanks ever so much for your input.
vespa166
A2OC Donor
expansion tank is your coolant bottle, bonnet off right hand side, bottle will show maximum and minimum. blue lid, pink fluid in.
I often find little puddles under the car, had me concerned at first until some searches on here, try a drive with the climate control switched off, see if the symptoms off hissing and water continue.
I often find little puddles under the car, had me concerned at first until some searches on here, try a drive with the climate control switched off, see if the symptoms off hissing and water continue.
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Just to confirm Vespa's comments, if you have aircon and its been switched on, its quite common for condensation from the evaporator core to drip onto the ground after a journey. It normally 'puddles' near the front of the car on the drivers side.
Cheers Spike
Clackers
Member
Wicksy, My 1.4TDi had a water drip to the front of the engine bay, when it was put on the ramps it turned out to be condensation from the aircon, so after a couple of hours panicking, all was good in the end. If anything it turned out to be good because it meant the aircon was working!!!!
Fingers crossed that it is your aircon.
Clackers
Fingers crossed that it is your aircon.
Clackers