I just bought a 2006 Audi a4 that seam to have an antifreeze leak. I notice the day after buying the car a puddle underneath. Some people have told me that it could be an auxilary water pump. I'm not sure if that is true or not. Is there anyone who has knowledge of this problem who can help with figuring out the problem? The car has 97,000 mile on it. The car was low on anifreeze and I filled it with the G12 fluid, I drove the car home and put cardboard underneath and the next morning I notice another small puddle. What does anyone think it could be. It seams to be towards the back of the engine. I also smell a faint smell of burning anifreeze, although no smoke out the exhaust. Thanks for the help.

 

Usually if it's the secondary water pump it'll get burnt up and won't make it to the ground as it's pretty much smack dab in the middle and must contact hot surfaces to make its way to the ground. I would check the flange on the back of the engine where the ECT (Engine coolant temp sensor) is located. It's kind of buried back there, but they have been known to leak.

Your best bet is to get this thing up on ramps if possible while it's cool and see if you can locate the source. If not, drive it around for a little so it's at the normal operating temperature and put it back on the ramps and again see if you can locate the source.

 

Thank you very much for that info, I will check that sensor as soon as this weekend is over. Thank you.