Asiparks

Looking for a bit of guidance; driving home I got the coolant warning on the dash and the temp gauge hitting max. Left it to cool overnight and checked the level this morning, it was just sitting at "min". So I topped it up and drove the 8 miles to work this morning...same thing, about a mile from work the warning light came on as the temp gauge got about 7/8 . When i arrived at work there was a small amount of steam escaping from the reservoir and lots of bubbling....

What do you think might be the most likely culprit, water pump ? Thermostat ? Something else ?

cheers

S4canada

yup, that's yr thermostat

kphani

Having owned seven audi's from 4000, 5000, A6 and presently with an A8, thermostat is the most common overheating problem in these vehicles. I would get a low temp one for sure. Do not fill the reservoir beyond the max level as it needs room for expansion (not that you would). Good luck.
cheers[/QUOTE]

Sailfish

I had the same problem on Friday. Brought it in and it was the thermostat and bad radiator. The dealer is fixing it under warranty.

perlfather

Same thermostat fault on our '06 A8 at about 3.5 years and ~40k miles. Dealer also found a small leak in the radiator. (Really?). You would think that this would be fixed by now as all the fixes under warranty must be quite expensive.

Asiparks

yup, y'all were right, it's the thermostat.

Sadly I'm out of warranty, so it's about $60 for the thermostat and about $600 for labor...
My cars got just over 43k on it, the mechanic is suggesting getting the timing belt, water pump etc done while he's in there for about another $1000, and i feel inclined to agree, although it's about 15k early. ( i'll be keeping this car at least another 3 years)

Anybody think that's a bad idea ?

S4canada

42k is realy early for a timing belt r&r but a good idear while he's in there, as long you're keeping it for >3 years and the price isn't inflated. I think the book recommends 75k intervals?

Asiparks

hmm, dunno, it was 90k on my D2 A8, he's suggesting it's 60K on the D3 but to be honest I haven't checked.

Asiparks

just checked, it is at 75K...hmmmmmmm