1999 A6 2.8 Quattro 99K miles.

So I recently lost all of my coolant on the freeway the other day. I thought it was due to my coolant expansion tank cracking and letting it all go out. So the car has been down for a week while I awaited the arrival of the tank. Just about 30 minutes ago, I installed the new tank and tightened up everything.

I start up the car, and I get this weird squeaking noise from the front of the engine. It sounds almost like something skipping or loose or not lubricated correctly. I figure maybe it has to do with it sitting so long, so I top off the car's coolant, and take her for a 3 mile spin. On the 3rd mile, the car begins to heat up again after having been in the normal for about 3 minutes. By the time I get back to the house, the temp is half way between normal and OH MY GOD TURN IT OFF.

What the hell is the problem still? I'm worried that it might be the water pump/timing belt from what I researched on here, but if that's the case, I'm fucked because I don't have the money for that repair at the moment. not to mention I've been getting rides everywhere for a WEEK. Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

 

Hmmm... no ideas from the A6 guys yet? Damn

 

At 99k miles I would budget for a new TB for sure, however this may not be your problem.
You may have air in your cooling system.
Also check all belts and be sure they have the proper tension. Turn your A/C On and OFF by setting different temps so you can isolate the compressor.
Silly question but I have to ask: have you checked your oil and other fluids levels?
Does the car make that noise at idle and in Park? Does it increase with RPM? Does it go away when you shift in gear?

 

Being down for a week has nothing to do with the noise. I regularly park my 97 Avant for a week or two while traveling overseas without any problem.

If the expansion tank was cracked you would loose some of the antifreeze but not all. I suspect you have a bad waterpump or T stat.. But you didn't say if you lost water again so we are just guessing... In any case it is time to do the waterpump, t stat, TB, and pullies.. Check Blauparts for the TB kit and tools -- It is great!!!

 

^^ what he said

 

If it were air in the system, how do I get it out? I know these systems are highly pressurized. It makes the noise at idle or and in park. It seemed to sound the same when in motion, and I din't rev it up while it was in park to find out about the RPM's.

Hmm... Yeah, I saw the kit, which would be relatively cheap if it weren't Christmas time and I hadn't just dropped 260 on my rear brakes and rotors. I guess it's gonne be a rough winter of saving and getting rides for a while until I can first save up for the full kit, and then save up to pay someone to put it in.

 

Sounds like a bad pump to me, get that and the TB changed while you're in there.