CP

but is it common practice to replace the coolant at the same time? This is my dealer freebie...car has 49,750 mi on it now and appt is in two weeks. Service Consultant at Hoffman Audi in E. Hartford, CT took pity on me. Thanks dude!

Bob

Did you mix the green coolant with the pink?

CP

Mmmm...no.

Sharon

Happened to me in my '97 A4, to Sean G in his first A4 (also a 97), and several others.

Something has contaminated your coolant tank. Get it flushed. If you're still under warranty, the dealer should swap out your tank as it is likely stained (though it'll probably be OK if you continue to use it).

Sharon

Bob

Good, because brown foam is the result...

Dave M

Yes, I have this. At first I thought I had major problems, like a cracked block or something. I got a strange smell in the cabin, but it really did not smell like the typical coolant smell. I then opened up the coolant cap and there was brown gunk clogging the vent screen. Cleaned that out and all was well for a day or so then it happened again. Cleaned out the cap again and it has been fine since.

The tank seems to be stained, but I put a rolled up paper towel down into the tank to see what color the liquid was or if there was any oil in the tank, but it came out pink so I guess it is OK. There is a TSB about this, so I'm going to bring it up at my next service (which is now a couple months overdue!). I never played with the coolant, and I never had the car anywhere but the dealer, so my guess is that they topped up with the wrong fluid somewhere along the way.

Dave M - '97 1.8tm