Audi TT Coupe - Why is my coolant tank still boiling and losing? - HKPI

2 weeks ago, I had my Head Gaskett changed, Waterpump, Thermo and Timing Belt changed, not to mention a full service and other wear and tear bits and bobs done.

I had been at a McDonalds Drive Thru and white steam billowed out of the bonnet and lost a lot of coolant.

AA did a compression test and it pressurised immediately also the gas test and it hanged from blue to green or vice versa indicating a head gaskett blown. The fans also did not tuen on when the air con was switched on.

The coolant tank was also boiling furiously when the engine was turned off and the heater was tepid.

The service history indicated that a Waterpump had been changed around 3000 miles previously as was the timing belt.

I told the mechanic to change the HG and told him to get the pump and belt changed, even though he said they looked ok, I didnt care I wanted them out and new in for peace of mind.

Got it back and it drives superb, very sharp and responsive and the heater absolutely blasts out lovely warm air.

However!! week later, the boiling starts again and coolant is being lost to below minimum. Had to top it up.

Took it back to the garage, an Audi specialist, they cant look at it until the Dash pod is fixed as the dials and guages are out (Eg constantly in the red an petrol warning when half full!!) which Audi UK have very kindly offered to fix and replace free of charge.

Took it to another Audi Specialist, did a load of checks, oil was nice and clear, no build up, fans kicked in but still hadnt a clue why!!

Took it to another garage, quite reputable, diagnostic ran and all ok, "must just be what it does"!!

Im so bemused and puzzled, its at the Main Dealer now and I practically begged them, "Just tell me what is wrong"

Im absolutely on pins, please can I have some pointers, advice, has it happened to you?

I just want to enjoy my lovely car.

Many Thanks in advance.

Audi TT Coupe - Why is my coolant tank still boiling and losing? - madf

Was the head tested for true and skimmed?

If not.. it is proabably warped..

Audi TT Coupe - Why is my coolant tank still boiling and losing? - HKPI

The mechanic who did it said it was, but Im starting to think it has warped.

Audi TT Coupe - Why is my coolant tank still boiling and losing? - Peter.N.

If its actually boiling I suspect it needs a new radiator, how many miles has it done?

Audi TT Coupe - Why is my coolant tank still boiling and losing? - HKPI

Id prefer that to another f***g head!!

Its done 109,000 approx

Audi TT Coupe - Why is my coolant tank still boiling and losing? - Peter D

Get a garage to either use the chemical test or a gas sniffer in the ehader tank. Combustion gases in the coolant woul indicate the HG has failed, the head was not skimmed properly or the head has cracked. Which engine is this, it is a 3 letter code and the ID label in the sevice book or on the LHS of the ID label in the spare wheel bay. Regards Peter

Edited by Peter D on 06/07/2011 at 16:42

Audi TT Coupe - Why is my coolant tank still boiling and losing? - HKPI

Audi seem to think the coolant contol unit has gone and want to try another.

They ave run some tests on it but not informed me which as of yet.

I think the head has warped but hope it hasnt, Im waiting for them to get back to me, Audi usually get the car out and diagnosed pretty quick, 1st time they have asked to keep it.

Could the control unit be the cause?

Edited by HKPI on 07/07/2011 at 10:52

Audi TT Coupe - Why is my coolant tank still boiling and losing? - Peter D

What control unit. There is a water pump and a thermostat then a coolant temp sensor that turns the fan on. You still have not provided an engine code. Regards Peter

Audi TT Coupe - Why is my coolant tank still boiling and losing? - HKPI

Im really baffled I dont know what to think other than a warped head.

I'll look up the code soon as I get it back, its with Audi at the minute.

I think thats what she meant, a coolant temp sensor, she said a control unit but I imagine it is that as the fans are very sluggish and dont turn on when air con is on.

Cant see it being the waterpump, even when I got it it was fairly new and then I got it ripped out and changed 2 weeks ago as a precaution to eliminate the boiling.

Its strange as when I got it back I was stuck in traffic and it really started to boil, I fiddled with the air con, heater etc and a huge cloud of white smoke billowed from the exhaust, it never did that before even before the HG was replaced, however saying that, since it did that, not a thing has come out of the back and prior to the HG change it was very blowy from the back.

Edited by HKPI on 07/07/2011 at 11:23

Audi TT Coupe - Why is my coolant tank still boiling and losing? - TeeCee

>Im really baffled I dont know what to think other than a warped head.

Thought I posted this yesterday, must be suffering from softening of the brain!

Peter D above has the other possibility, a cracked head. Now, if that were a hairline crack, it's perfectly possible for it to be ok until a good, long run, at which point the crack expands, the coolant pressurises, coolant is lost and the thing overheats. Multiple overheating events put paid to the Head Gasket.

Very difficult to diagnose correctly as a slight crack may not be visible unless the head is stripped, thoroughly cleaned and then very carefully inspected. Last time I heard of one, it was only found when a recon head was fitted in desperation and the engineering company that supplied it found the crack in the old one when they stripped it down.

One might also be driven to suspect that the water pump replacement in the service history may have been an attempt to solve an intermittant overheating problem......

Audi TT Coupe - Why is my coolant tank still boiling and losing? - madf

All I can say is that the initial garage are evidently manned /womanned by incompetents and I recommend never using them again.