nevin_ak

Car is in Anchorage, AK. We have had a long period of zero and sub zero temps, and I recently noticed that after the car has been warming, something is discharging fluid. Looks like hydrolic fluid -- definitely not antifreeze. But here's the catch: all of the fluid levels in the reservoirs look good. Any ideas? Thanks, - Nevin

Randolph

Differential fluid perhaps? Trans fluid maybe? Where do you see the fluid coming from?
Randolph
87 5KCSTQ
93 928GTS

nevin_ak

When I looked under the vehicle, I couldn't tell -- but the fluid is leaking, I believe, from somewhere near the front left side. I'll warm it up again and see if I can confirm a source...

SteveAngry

Front left passenger side?

If so, it could be either the oil cooler lines, turbo coolant lines, turbo oil lines...

Is it oil or coolant leaking?

Steve
Michigan

RussB

I recently had one of two closely spaced oil pressure switches or "senders" (located one above the other on the driver side front of engine block, just aft of thermostat housing) spring an oil leak. Within a few days it was gushing engine oil. Will Ng said that he had one crack in cold weather. Mine just failed from age. They're cheap and easy to replace.

To check your oil pressure switches for leaks: Use Gunk Engine Brite followed by water from hose to degrease that side of the engine block, then thoroughly dry the block and surroundings with compressed air. Start engine while observing the two switches. If either is leaking oil you'll see it almost immediately.

Just an idea.

nevin_ak

It's coolant. At first I thought it was something else, until learning Audi uses a coolant product diff. than what I'm used to. (This is new-to-me car.) Today the coolant reservoir was also low, and while I can see the drips I can't tell what the source is. The leak is new, and has developed on the heels of an odd skid. Went into a slide (on ice & ruts) for no apparent reason a few days ago; luckily there was no collision but it was a HARD landing up and over a snow berm into a parking lot. Think I may have a wheel out of balance as a result as well. Could I knocked something out of place that would cause a coolant leak? The weather here has been quite cold for weeks, and there also seems to be a lot of ice build up on the undercarraige of the car.