Audi has a team of people whose job is to literally ‘sniff out’ new cars to ensure that they’re odour-free. So, if you notice an unusually sweet smell coming from your vehicle after you turn off the engine, it’s safe to say that there’s probably something wrong. Specifically, it’s likely that your vehicle has a coolant leak. Now, keep in mind that antifreeze plays a crucial role in ensuring a smooth-running engine. As such, it’s essential to know when something is wrong with it.
Importance of Fixing Coolant Leaks
Your coolant does more than keep your Audi’s radiator from freezing up during winter. Aside from this, it also plays an integral role in your car’s cooling system. Without it, your engine’s temperature would rise significantly, affecting your vehicle’s performance.
Coolant, which is a 50-50 mix of water and antifreeze, fills your engine’s radiator. The engine has a pump which circulates the coolant through components such as the radiator and the heater. This fluid is responsible for maintaining the proper temperature in your engine, preventing it from overheating. Now, if your Audi is low on coolant, its engine may become too hot. Of course, this problem can be detrimental to your vehicle’s fuel economy and performance. If worse comes to worst, an overheating engine may sustain costly damages.
What Happens When Your Audi Has a Coolant Leak?
Here are some of the signs that tell you there’s a coolant leak within your Audi:
Puddle of Fluid Under Your Car
After parking your Audi for a while, do you notice a puddle of purple, green or orange fluid collecting beneath it? If so, then this is the first sign of a possible coolant leak. Before you drive your vehicle, make sure you contact the experts at European Prestige Auto Service first. If the issue is severe, we would recommend that the Audi be towed to our shop. Doing so will prevent causing further damage due to the engine overheating.
Coolant Warning Light
If you’re low on coolant, the corresponding warning light will illuminate on your dashboard. Sometimes, an Audi may appear to be running normally despite the indicator light on the dash. However, you should let a mechanic inspect your cooling system and coolant before you try driving your car. As we’ve mentioned, without adequate coolant, your Audi’s engine may overheat. Without proper temperature regulation, further damages may occur.
Radiator Discolouration or Rust
If you’ve looked at the radiator and noticed discolouration and spots, then this can also point towards a coolant leak. When the fluid drops onto the engine’s hot parts, it quickly burns off, leaving spots that may begin to rust.
I Can’t Find the Leak. Does that Mean my Audi’s Fine?
Just because you cannot locate a leak, it does not necessarily mean that you don’t have one. Allow your engine to cool down first, then check the coolant-recovery tank to determine the fluid levels. Audi cars have clear minimum and maximum markings. Keep in mind that the coolant should be within those markings. Now, if the tank is full, it’s likely that the anti-freeze has nothing to do with what you’re smelling. If you notice that the coolant level is dry or below the minimum mark, you must contact European Prestige Auto Service right away. Our expert technicians will use a cooling-system pressure tester to identify the leak source.
I Need to Drive my Audi. Can I do so with a Coolant Leak?
We never recommend driving an Audi with a coolant leak. Most of the time, coolant system issues grow bigger fast—and they don’t get better by themselves. If you ignored the signs of a coolant leak, you might just end up leaving yourself stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Now, if you want to push your luck and you only have a minor leak, you may get away with topping it off for a few days. However, it’s always best to refill your cooling system with the proper water-antifreeze mix. Freezing water in an engine may not be a problem faced by many drivers in Perth. However, it is still good to know that an icy coolant can cause severe Audi problems. When water freezes, the solid form expands and may burst the radiator and the cooling system hoses. It can even crack the cylinder head or the engine block.
Bring Your Audi to the Trusted Mechanics in Perth
If you notice any of the early signs of a coolant leak, contact European Prestige Auto Service right away. In some cases, topping off the fluid may be enough to get your vehicle to our service centre. However, if it’s too hot in Perth, we recommend hiring a towing service instead. In this way, you can prevent your engine from overheating.
