I was wondering if anyone new anything about the cooling systems and how they work in a 98 2.8Q, I know how they generally work, but I have no idea why I'm loosing coolant almost every 1000 miles. I think it is coming out of the over flow tank, out of a rear spout that is located underneath the cap(on the underside of the tank). What I think it is doing, it is getting to hot, then pouring out of there, and then every corner I turn the coolant light comes on. Recently, I put a hose on that open spout ( I don't know if there is a hose that is supposed to be there ), with a screw on the end plugging it. Just today, I turn a corner and the light returns. The only other thing that I was thinking was the thermostat. Which doesnt make sense if it was, mainly because the car is not over-heating(well not yet).

My main question to you is: Does the overflow tank have a factory problem with it, and/or what could be the problem?

Thanks a million if you know the problem or have had a similar problem but now is fixed. I'm a poor student that needs a cheap fix, and I know my old cars like the back of my hand, but I don't want to go to in depth on working on a newer german.


Thanks to any reply,
Poor college student With his first German

 

Hey i watched this thing of mythbusters. if you put a cracked egg yoke in the radiator it will stop the leak

 

Have you recently replaced the fluid in there?

 

Add a stop leak. They cost about $3.00 .

 

i dunno about that - stop leak can do some evil stuff. it can harden up in your radiator or heater core and then you're in pretty bad shape

 

Yeah I might put that in an old ford, but not an Audi.

 

I dont think stop leak would work, mostly because It's not coming out of the radiator, but thanks for the replies.

 

and I have put more fluid in there just today, but I'll probablly have to in a couple weeks agian, I go through (at this rate) about a jug every month and a half.

 

If the coolant is dissappearing then either it is leaking outside of the engine or into the engine.

Are there any visible leaks on the outside? Can you see coolant leaking under the car? Can you smell hot coolant? If so, locate the leak and replace the leaking part. The coolant overflow reservoir can develop a crack and leak.

Is the coolant leaking into the engine? Do you get white smoke when you start the car after sitting overnight?

check your oil? Does it look like cappuchino? If so you are leaking coolant into the oil.

If none of the above, then have a mechanic pressure check the engine and either use dye to help find the leak.

 

I think I know more then plenty on how a radiator works, and what to look for, I was wondering if there were any factory defects with the stock over flow tank.