The red low coolant icon came on during the week when I was moving the car around on our drive. Stopped and started the car and it went away and I assumed it was a glitch, possible a sensor problem.
Over the weekend the warning symbol came on again and this time it stayed on. Left A2 sulking on the drive and we went off in my car as we were already late for lunch.
After we got back. Checked the car again and symbol still shows so I consult the handbook. Its a bonnet off job to check the coolant so I put the A2 in the garage. For once I was thinking and laid out a blanket on the floor to place the bonnet after getting it off. The bonnet came off OK.
The sensor had not lied and it was down about 0.5 litre in the expansion tank. Re-read the handbook and it says that you can only use a specific coolant. Its 6pm, but I chance a phone call to my local Audi dealer. Parts have closed but helpful salesman says best to call out roadside assistance as they may have correct stuff anyway. If not come in on Sunday and they will find some for me.
Call Audi assistance, and friendly RAC man turns ahead of schedule in 30 minutes. He tops up the coolant with water and tries to find the leak. Can't see a leak from above, so he takes off the under tray. Once off (lots of bolts) he find a small weep from a valve just under the inlet manifold - he says its a complete unit (riveted together , no bolts). Its probably been weeping very slowly from when we got it, as I hadn't noticed any leaks on the garage floor. Car is OK to use on short journeys until we can get it booked in to get fixed. RAC guy writes a little report to give to the dealer when it goes in and he's off.
Putting the bonnet back on was more tricky, especially as I hadn't mad a mental note of where all the shut lines were before I took it off... Anyway, after some careful 'persuasion' its back on again.
This may or may not be a common fault with FSIs, but worth checking for all you FSI drivers out there. Note that the handbook does say to check the coolant level regularly, and not rely on the warning symbol. Just make sure you have somewhere safe to rest your bonnet !
I'll let you know what the dealer has to say when it goes in. No doubt the part will be on 'back order'.
Dave
1.6SE
Over the weekend the warning symbol came on again and this time it stayed on. Left A2 sulking on the drive and we went off in my car as we were already late for lunch.
After we got back. Checked the car again and symbol still shows so I consult the handbook. Its a bonnet off job to check the coolant so I put the A2 in the garage. For once I was thinking and laid out a blanket on the floor to place the bonnet after getting it off. The bonnet came off OK.
The sensor had not lied and it was down about 0.5 litre in the expansion tank. Re-read the handbook and it says that you can only use a specific coolant. Its 6pm, but I chance a phone call to my local Audi dealer. Parts have closed but helpful salesman says best to call out roadside assistance as they may have correct stuff anyway. If not come in on Sunday and they will find some for me.
Call Audi assistance, and friendly RAC man turns ahead of schedule in 30 minutes. He tops up the coolant with water and tries to find the leak. Can't see a leak from above, so he takes off the under tray. Once off (lots of bolts) he find a small weep from a valve just under the inlet manifold - he says its a complete unit (riveted together , no bolts). Its probably been weeping very slowly from when we got it, as I hadn't noticed any leaks on the garage floor. Car is OK to use on short journeys until we can get it booked in to get fixed. RAC guy writes a little report to give to the dealer when it goes in and he's off.
Putting the bonnet back on was more tricky, especially as I hadn't mad a mental note of where all the shut lines were before I took it off... Anyway, after some careful 'persuasion' its back on again.
This may or may not be a common fault with FSIs, but worth checking for all you FSI drivers out there. Note that the handbook does say to check the coolant level regularly, and not rely on the warning symbol. Just make sure you have somewhere safe to rest your bonnet !
I'll let you know what the dealer has to say when it goes in. No doubt the part will be on 'back order'.
Dave
1.6SE