A6 is drinking water!!!!

[shengen]

I have a 2.8 quattro avant on a 98 model year and it seems to be using water. There is no sludge in the oil which is clean and clear, but it is using a bout 3 pints of water in about 2 weeks , the themp gauge reads about 80 for a few moments once the engine is up to temp and then sinnks back to 60 or bottom of the dial. There appears to be no leaks from the system ie no drips under the car but the water is going somewhere. The a/c seems to work fine as does the hot air from the heater any suggestions

[Atomic]

Possibly the head gaskets gone between exchaust and cooling channel? You wouldn't see the leak as it would evaporate...

To be honest though anything leaking around the engine is likely to evap away unless it's a constant trickle once the engines hot.

[shengen]

if thats the case do I keep topping it up or do something expensive about it

[shengen]

update on this problem took to a competent mechanic that pressure tested the system and found that the seal between the plastic end and the ally core of the cooling radiator had gone and was leaking . 1 new rad later and shes a non drinker.