Slight coolant leak - what are the chances this is just a bad gasket, and not cracked head ?
06-25-2005, 09:08 PM
#1
Slight coolant leak - what are the chances this is just a bad gasket, and not cracked head ?
When I first bought the car I noticed fluid at the rear corner of the block where the head meets. 2Bennett inspected the car and weren't concerned - valve cover seal they said. But when I was doing the T-Belt & replacing seals, I pressure cleaned the years of crud off the engine block, and around the oil pan so I could trace it more clearly.
Sure enough now I'm running G11 again there's evidence of dried blue/green coolant further along the passenger side of the block as well. As far forward as the oil filter sandwich. I noticed it's lost about 1/2 inch of coolant from the reservoir in a couple of weeks.
No drips, and the pan is clean.
The car doesn't smoke.
There was no obvious sludge in the oil last time I checked, but I'm organizing an oil test at Blackstone labs anyway.
Anyone else come across similar issues ?
What are the chances this is a bad head gasket, and a new one will fix it ? I was going to install a new one with new head bolts before putting the the RS2 EM on.
Or should I be shopping for a new head or someone to machine the block?
Sure enough now I'm running G11 again there's evidence of dried blue/green coolant further along the passenger side of the block as well. As far forward as the oil filter sandwich. I noticed it's lost about 1/2 inch of coolant from the reservoir in a couple of weeks.
No drips, and the pan is clean.
The car doesn't smoke.
There was no obvious sludge in the oil last time I checked, but I'm organizing an oil test at Blackstone labs anyway.
Anyone else come across similar issues ?
What are the chances this is a bad head gasket, and a new one will fix it ? I was going to install a new one with new head bolts before putting the the RS2 EM on.
Or should I be shopping for a new head or someone to machine the block?
06-25-2005, 09:28 PM
#2
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A quick STFA yields this fine tome from an AW poster...
...bubble bubble toil & trouble<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/s4s6/msgs/56080.phtml">>!<Clickity>!<</a></li></ul>
06-25-2005, 09:54 PM
#3
Hmmm ... blowing bubbles in coolant, that's a new one for me... :-D
I'll give it a try.
Given the amount of coolant that's vaporized, and the minor amounts of residue on the outside (no drips) I'm expecting it's going into the sump.
Given the amount of coolant that's vaporized, and the minor amounts of residue on the outside (no drips) I'm expecting it's going into the sump.
06-25-2005, 10:13 PM
#4
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oil in the sump is easy.
Shake it hard enough - oil & water do mix. And produces an ugly oily - creamy froth. That's the pull your dip stick test. Your oil cap will show the same goo. Oil looks like oily oil? (The oily kind?) No coolant in the sump. Both tests are very easy - clear - and absolute.
Pull your belly pan. Look for leaks.
Pull your belly pan. Look for leaks.
06-26-2005, 11:25 PM
#6
I don't remember seeing any water fittings high enough
It looks like oil+coolant is leaking from the rear-passenger corder at the top of the block, exactly where the gasket sits. I heard it's common for this engine... <?>
Coolant-only down the passenger side of the block.
The amount is so small it never even makes it to the pan - vaporizes on the side.
Coolant-only down the passenger side of the block.
The amount is so small it never even makes it to the pan - vaporizes on the side.
Trending Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kanahootie
S4 / RS4 (B5 Platform) Discussion
16
11-24-2008 04:43 AM
Canon
Chicago Discussion
4
06-25-2008 07:48 PM
jettatoS4 (Chad)
S4 / RS4 (B5 Platform) Discussion
13
12-08-2006 02:47 PM
