I just took my '02 Audi S4 MT6 to a mechanic that specializes in European cars (no VW or Audi dealership) due to a coolant leak. They told me that it didn't need to be fixed because the leak was in such a congested area that the labor and replacement wouldn't be worth it.

To me a leak is a leak and should be dealt with right away. I can't just take it to another mechanic due to the fact that there are no other mechanics here that are familiar with european cars. Being on a small island out in the middle of no where has some major disadvantages! I have already been charged $325 for that information. I can't prove that they didn't spend 4 hours of labor on my car.

Any suggestions or help on how to handle this or am I screwed?

 

where is the leak?

 

Well from what I can tell of the small puddle on my garage floor, it is in the middle towards the front. It is not coming from the radiator.

Mechanic says that it is behind the intake?

 

Sounds to me like it could be the AUX Pump which is under the Intake Manifold. It's like a $100 part to replace. You can find DIY on it all over the place. My buddy just did one and it took like like an hour to complete.

 

That sounds good but unfortunately I am 9 months preggers and my hubbs is gone due to the military. Figures huh? I think I will call an Audi dealership in the US or Germany and see what they have to say.

I will post what they say but of course if anyone else has any ideas or suggestions, I am open to it!

 

JoBuny is probably right. i did this on my car and it was really easy. it did involve a lot of leaning into the engine bay so that might not work too well with a month 9 belly. if you look under the intake manifold you might be able to see it. intake mani is under the y-pipe.


here is a diy for reference:
Auxiliary water pump replacement write up (long, BWW) - edited - AudiWorld Forums

the intake manifold on the car in the diy is different cause its a 2000 s4. (pre 2001) everything else is the same.

 

It's a VERY common fail point and dumb design. The Aux Pump has rubber seals and it's located under the Intake Mani which gets really hot...do the math and the rubber seals have no chance of surviving.

Definitely not something you wanna work on if you pregnant with all the leaning and bending (oh and swearing LOL ). I would prolly suggest NOT having a dealer do it either unless you got a lot of $$. I can only imagine what they would charge since they have to take the intake mani off.

I think your best bet would be to try and find a local enthusiast and see if they can help you out with the project. May be hard with your current location but always worth a shot.

 

i didnt even take the intake apart fully to do it the last time i did mine, but its plastic in design and so my pump failed as plastic chunks were becoming brittle and the structure was compromised. def not hard, but idk if id suggest you trying it as the other peeps with input has advised. some guys are bypassing it completely, if you dont drive hard, this could be an idea as well. but then again, it may be just as difficult to bypass the pump, idk.. so might as well replace it at that point, IMO..

 

Thank you all so much for the input. Maybe I can get one of my girlfriends husbands to try it out who is a little more car savvy than me.

I called a dealership in both Germany and in the US. Germany said that it could be a couple of things and the AUX pump could definitely be it so if I could do it then try it out. the US Audi dealership said they couldn't tell me anything due to the fact that if they did, I could sue them for giving incorrect information. Bummer.

I will post the outcome of this situation once there is something to report. At this time, I am going to order the parts and that will take at least a week to get to me if they can even ship the item here.

I think I should go back to college to get a mechanics degree... hmmmm.

 

Dont order from dealership!!!!!

here:
Audi B5 S4 2.7T > Search > Water Pump > ES#2137133 Auxiliary Water Pump - 078965561

youre gonna also need these if you take off the manifold.
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_S4-...anifold/ES953/

gaskets are one time use on these cars.

and this:
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_S4-...ant/ES1878309/

the coolant can probably be found cheaper somewhere else on the internet.

chime in fellas if i'm missing anything. on a roll tonight! lol.