Hello everyone. It's me again, with yet another problem with my least favorite car of all time!
My coolant level light went on the dash this morning. I had driven the engine hot, so I brought it home and checked the level. When hot, the level was two or three inches below the "min" line.
So I got out some engine coolant (the red stuff) mixed it 1:1 with water, and added it in. However, when I opened up the engine coolant compartment, the liquid must have still been pretty warm, so it kind of boiled and bubbled a bit. As the air seeped in and the screw top came off, the level rose back up to the exact right level.
Not sure what to do at this point, so I waited for the car to cool completely. Once I did, the level dropped back down again, but not all the way to where it was when I first checked it. Maybe just an inch or two below the "min" line.
At this point, I added in my coolant mix up to the proper fill line and re-capped the tank. I haven't driven it since.
There are no leaks coming through to the ground, although it does seem like there is a bit of liquid collecting underneath the passenger side of the radiator compartment -- not in front of the radiator, but on the engine side of the radiator.
So what's the prognosis? I know I should take it in, but I have to get to the airport tomorrow morning. I'm hoping the top off holds for a bit and will be fine in long-term parking for 6 days.
By the way, this is a 2002 A4 1.8T with about 44,000 miles on it. It has been in the shop (in just the last six months) for the following:
New thermostat, two vacuum hoses, air-conditioner that wouldn't blow cold air, and all the regular maintenance. And, of course, the car has also developed the clunking noise under the driver side wheel that I am talking about in another thread. This should not be happening to a car that is under 50,000 miles.
Anyone in the market for a used car?