HELP! My coolant temp. lamp was flashing, what can I do?
03-10-2002, 02:12 PM
#1
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HELP! My coolant temp. lamp was flashing, what can I do?
It's a hot day in SoCal and my coolant temp. lamp was flashing when I was driving home, and it was beeping too. I turned off the A/C immediately. I don't know if that actually help.
I just chkd the manual and it says it's either the coolant temp. is too high or the coolant level is too low. I don't think the coolant temp. was too high because the coolant temp. gauge was showing normal temp., but the coolant temp. gauge has been acting up. It goes down when I drive down slope. Is there anything I can / need to do be4 I go to my dealer on Monday?
I just chkd the manual and it says it's either the coolant temp. is too high or the coolant level is too low. I don't think the coolant temp. was too high because the coolant temp. gauge was showing normal temp., but the coolant temp. gauge has been acting up. It goes down when I drive down slope. Is there anything I can / need to do be4 I go to my dealer on Monday?
03-10-2002, 02:42 PM
#4
What was the gauge showing? If it was way up high, you probably got the overheat warning..
you did the right thing by shutting off the AC, but if the gauge was that high, the best thing would have been to pull off where safe, open the hood and kill the engine after a few seconds.
Now, if the gauge was sitting at normal, then you probably just need a top off of water. Dont add ANY coolant unless you have G12. DO NOT under any circumstances put anything BUT G12 in there.
It is ok to use tap water with G12, but if you have any distilled water, use that. If you need to add more than a few cups, you might have a leak.
Now, if the gauge was sitting at normal, then you probably just need a top off of water. Dont add ANY coolant unless you have G12. DO NOT under any circumstances put anything BUT G12 in there.
It is ok to use tap water with G12, but if you have any distilled water, use that. If you need to add more than a few cups, you might have a leak.
03-10-2002, 02:59 PM
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the coolant level is wayyy low...
It way below the mark, is it gonna be safe if I just put that much distilled water? Or should I go to PepBoy and get some G11 antifreeze?
I tried to look for leaks but I didn't see or smell anything. :\
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/17591/coolant_low1.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/17591/coolant_low2.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/17591/coolant_low3.jpg">
I tried to look for leaks but I didn't see or smell anything. :\
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/17591/coolant_low1.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/17591/coolant_low2.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/17591/coolant_low3.jpg">
03-10-2002, 03:18 PM
#7
AudiWorld Super User
Since its not too cold for you, you can just add water to get you going...
... but you will need to have the coolant percentage adjusted later. With that much coolant missing, there might be a leak. Once you find you the leak, I would recommend a coolant flush and then put all new coolant in with distilled water. I used to use tap water myself, but there are a few purists on AW that have convinced me that distilled is better.
Kirk
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03-10-2002, 03:31 PM
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Thanx Kirk & Kris. Man, I just put a full bottle of ArrowHead distilled water (.5L), hope the car
likes ArrowHead... 
Before:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/17591/coolant_low1.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/17591/coolant_low2.jpg">
After:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/17591/coolant_low_after1.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/17591/coolant_low_after2.jpg">
Thanx again, Kirk & Kris.
Before:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/17591/coolant_low1.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/17591/coolant_low2.jpg">
After:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/17591/coolant_low_after1.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/17591/coolant_low_after2.jpg">
Thanx again, Kirk & Kris.
03-10-2002, 03:34 PM
#9
The only time you can be sure of the mixture is when you fill the whole system..
but you are right, 50/50 is best. As a rule, if you don't have any G12 handy, ONLY use water. G12 is supposedly formulated to be used with tap water as well as distilled, though I generally use distilled on a fresh fill.
what I do is take the coolant, put it together in a 2 or 3 gallon jug, and mix in an equal ammount of distilled water. That way, you are sure of the ratio, and you usually have a 50/50 supply to top off the bubble.
what I do is take the coolant, put it together in a 2 or 3 gallon jug, and mix in an equal ammount of distilled water. That way, you are sure of the ratio, and you usually have a 50/50 supply to top off the bubble.
