Quattromatt

According to the manual the coolant level should remain fairly constant and the only way to lose coolant is by a leak. A few months ago I noticed it was below the low line and filled it up. Now I just looked at it and it is low again. Has this happaned to anyone else? Driving the car hard can't burn or use coolant? Any info or opinions are appreciated.
TIA

ex-quattro PETE

If there's a leak, it's either:

1. leaking outside - check under the car (might have to take the plastic belly pan off)
2. leaking inside the cabin (through cracked heater core) - this you'd smell right away
3. leaking into the engine - look at your engine oil and see if it does not appear normal color.

I'm also assuming that you do know that when the engine is cold, the coolant will be at the 'low line'. When the engine is hot, it'll be at the 'high line'?

Quattromatt

I don't smell anything abnormal. Nothing on the ground where I park. I could use an oil change, so the engine oil is dark brown.
When cold, it is below the low line by about 1/2"

ex-quattro PETE

Mine is right on the line, maybe just a tad bit above.

Ritz

A few other places:

The two hoses attached to the top of the oil cooler above the oil filter (they leak often)
The water pump (look at it from underneath and check for dried coolant crust just behind the pulley on the bottom.
Cooling lines to turbo.

A heater core leak isn't that common.

Cheers,

AwdiA4

so small that the drip doesn't even run down the side of the cooler. it's just a small dry pink residue. should i just replace the hose/s or wait until it gets worse?

Ritz

Nah, the hoses are fine. It's the cheap spring clamps that are the source of the problem. Just replace the clamps with appropriately sized hose clamps (I think I used #6). The water pump is your most likely culprit if those hoses aren't leaking a lot.

Cheers,

Quattromatt

If I have to add it again in the near future, I will start worrying.
Thanks