Coolant Warning on A4 Avant 1.8t

[whimsical_chris]

Driving home late last night on the motorway the coolant warning came on. We were just pootling along at about 65 - 70.

The temp gauge went up to about 100 ish on the slight up hills and dropped when going downhill.

I checked there is plenty of liquid in the tank.

Any ideas ?

[Cuprabob]

I would guess that the water pump is on it's way out

The 1.8T engine used one's with plastc impellers which are prone to failure.

If it is the water pump it's as well getting a new ambelt fitted at the same time as all the cost is really labour.

[JUGGA]

Aswell as getting the cambelt done make sure that the new waterpump is the one with the metal impeller, I had both things done by a local garage for £120 recently.

[whimsical_chris]

Yes its the waterpump.

They ( Ridgeway Audi - Newbury ) quoted me a little more than the £120 unfortunately ( double that ), and they have no idea about the metal impeller insisting they would only change like for like. They also mentioned the cambelt which will also be changed.

[PetrolDave]

Originally Posted by whimsical_chris

they have no idea about the metal impeller insisting they would only change like for like

Any Audi garage that doesn't know about the plastic vs metal impeller is not one that I would trust - it's a very well known design change. I'd seriously consider going elsewhere ... (especially with the price they are quoting!).

[whimsical_chris]

Originally Posted by PetrolDave

Any Audi garage that doesn't know about the plastic vs metal impeller is not one that I would trust.......(especially with the price they are quoting!).

Yup I think your right PD, just struggling to find a decent Audi garage around north Hampshire :-(

Any suggestions happily taken.

[PetrolDave]

Originally Posted by whimsical_chris

Yup I think your right PD, just struggling to find a decent Audi garage around north Hampshire :-(

Any suggestions happily taken.

Don't bother - go to Camberley Audi, even though they are part of the same group as Basingstoke Audi (Colbornes) they are a MUCH better garage - many RS4 owners are going there because they actually seem to know what they are doing!

[whimsical_chris]

When they fit a new pump and cam belt, how much of the front of the car do they have to take off ? Do they do anything around the headlights ?

Just waxed the car this morning and the passengar side headlight seems to have moved slightly and the rubber trim doesnt seem to be seated correctly ?

Have I been hit in the car park or have they stuffed the rebuild ?

Cheers

c

[whimsical_chris]

The car is back in at Newbury ( Ridgeway Audi ) they told me that to fit the belt / replace the pump they take bits of the front off and the light may not have been put back correctly.

Audi rave on about how good their people are, how that they can work on "lesser cars" like VWs and Skodas, but how Skoda and VW people cant work on Audi's. I dread to think how bad these guys are if the top people cant even put things back together properly !

I have had the same problem with two different Audi garages now, starting to think maybe a different make is called for. :-( Lovely cars, crap service.

[PetrolDave]

Originally Posted by whimsical_chris

Audi rave on about how good their people are, how that they can work on "lesser cars" like VWs and Skodas, but how Skoda and VW people cant work on Audi's.

They're talking bullsh.t - my wife's Skoda Fabia comes back from a dealer service at least as well put back together and cleaned & valeted as my RS4 does - and better than one Audi dealer near where I live (which is why I travel 40+ miles to get my car serviced now).