ZephyrS4

Maybe because this hose came off....
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/32425/brokenpiece.jpg">

I had my cam seals replaced 2 weeks ago, but don't know if the shop took off the coolant reservoir to do the job. I'm guessing they did, and that endpiece of the t-fitting broke when the clamp was put back on. I drive my car everyday and it has been fine....even passed DEQ on Friday. The car sat until Saturday night, and when I started it up I got this warning....flashing and moving

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/32425/manual.jpg">

I'm curious if my car has any coolant left in it, or if it's just the reservoir that spilled it's guts. There was fluid on the ground under the reservoir, so it looks like there was fluid in there when it was parked last after DEQ. I guess my question is how much damage, if any, did I do to my car? It was running for about 30 seconds after the warning came on...it had been parked for 1 day, so everything was as cold as can be. Does the fluid in the reservoir constantly circulate through the entire system at all times?

I'm hoping for the best, and that all that is needed is a new t-fitting and a coolant fill.

Thanks for any help....I know it's Sunday and all, but would appreciate some words of wisdom about my dilemma and possible harm done to my engine after going through this.

Wrinkledpants

Not having any coolant, or having low coolant won't do any damage. The water pump is pulley driven, so it spins regardless of coolant in the system or not. From what you have said, the only way i can see damage occurring, is if you got some FOD in the system through the broken hose, though thats unlikely. I'm also assuming you started it for 30s and then shut down.

The coolant circulates all the time, but will not pass through the radiator until the thermostat pops. It does this so the car reaches operating temperature as fast as possible. The coolant doesn't circulate through the expansion tank. It's there to accommodate the coolant as it expands when it gets hot. I would think fixing that hose, filling the expansion tank, and driving around the block (or until it reaches operating temp) would be all you need to do.

Good luck!

ZephyrS4

was still dangling there until I pulled it off. I'm just curious as to why the warning light for too high temperature came on right after starting the car cold.

Wrinkledpants

it's engine temp too high or coolant level is to low indicator.

S4_NE

, when I flushed mine two weeks ago and bleed the air out near the power steering pump i had a lil come out and make a mess, it took a week to burn off and for the smell to go away. You may be able to fiend a brass fitting to replace that one cheaper than Audi woud get for one, Also by the looks of the clams it was taken off and put back on. I have found that the heat off teh turbos make all the plastic around that area get brittel after 60 k. Good luck

S4gasm (LoTR)

you can go to autonze/pepboys and buy a box of those t-fittings for like $4. Thats what i used and its worked great. (they are white fyi) Don't bother using the oem one from the dealer, they want like $35 for that piece (not kidding).

As long as you didnt overheat the car you will be fine. Just dont drive it anymore till you get her filled up.

heateris

i wouldn't drive it until u fix that. that's easy DIY in your driveway. 10 minutes max.

M3KILR

replaced with brass T

lemieux@curbside

...from pepboys

daves4izzle::ASP 3-

the block, I had smoke billowing out of my hood. Turned out mine was cracked and coolant was spilling out.

I bought 3 to have spares and replaced it. All has been fine since.