Hi!
I am new to Audi ownership.I got a 1998 A6 2.8Q about 6 months ago. Replaced radiator and steering rack.

I notice that coolant is slowly leaking out each time I turn the car off for over an hour. Basically whenever it is cooled down, there is a little stream of coolant.

I noticed some pink crusty build up coming from one of the three screws in the front once I jacked it up an removed the bottom panel.

Any ideas? I hope its notone of thewater pumps or a head gasket.

 

It could be something as simple as a cracked overflow reservior. I had to get mine changed out. I don't think youhave to worry about the auxillary water pump. I have a 2.7 and I had to get it replaced too. There are a lot of 30 cent O-rings that go bad and will cast hundreds of dollars to fix. It cost me $1032 to replace $3.20 worth of O-rings. Good Luck

 

If you see a small puddle under the car or if you saw coolant in the lower shield then thats definately the water pump on its way out. also you should be able to hear a wierd noise, almost like pulleys turning with no lub kinda noise coming from the front nose of the car when its first turned on. Get it changed asap. you can find a complete kit with timing belt, water pump and extras from ecstuning.com. should run you around $350. find a local shop for install. shouldnt run you more than $800 for the labor. get it changed now before the water pump fails and causes you major engine damage. for example bent valves which will require a rebuild of your cylinder head and valves or a complete engine with long block due piston damage caused by your exhaust valves punching a nice hole through one of your pistons. so its your call.

 

presure test your coolant system to see if there is a leak or a hole in one of your hoses or components

 

I had it inspected at the local dealer and they think the water pump and timing belt have been changed recently, so Im hoping its not that.

I bought that Bar's stop leak stuff and I had no leaks for about 2 weeks. Now I'm noticing some drop in the levels. It changes after a long drive and being idle right?

 

Any luck stopping the leak?

 

Well...It's slowed down, the levels fluctuate so much on their own, its tough. There isn't any dribble on my floor though. The Bar's stuff helped though, there used to be a puddle down there in the morning.