backtrailx
05-28-2008, 01:27 PM
Hey all,
I have a 2003 Audi A4 1.8t
I've been getting a heavy aroma of burnt radiator since I bought the car in March. My friends all told me it was most likely all the new hoses and the engine cleaner the dealership used, so I dismissed it. However, recently I've been getting a "COOLANT" alert on the drivers message console. I added coolant, and within a week, it was alerting me once more.
I checked the radiator cap and there was a lot of white gum on the inside of it. I understand this gum can develop both over time and if the fluid boils up. So, I decided to replace the cap. I put it off for about a week (just couldn't find the time to do it). Last night I was changing my head lamps, and decided to take a look around the engine bay. I noticed a good sized accumulation of coolant fluid on the transmission box.
Now, I have replaced the radiator cap and my question is whether this will solve my problem or not. I understand that other leaks may be present, however given that the cap was most likely the OE, there are almost 60,000mi on the car, and there was a gum accumulation on the respirator of the cap, could it be that the cap was the culprit? Perhaps the cap wasn't holding the 22lbs of pressure it is designed to hold and allowing the fluid to boil over?
If anyone has some insight on this, let me know.
Thank you,
-backtrailx
I have a 2003 Audi A4 1.8t
I've been getting a heavy aroma of burnt radiator since I bought the car in March. My friends all told me it was most likely all the new hoses and the engine cleaner the dealership used, so I dismissed it. However, recently I've been getting a "COOLANT" alert on the drivers message console. I added coolant, and within a week, it was alerting me once more.
I checked the radiator cap and there was a lot of white gum on the inside of it. I understand this gum can develop both over time and if the fluid boils up. So, I decided to replace the cap. I put it off for about a week (just couldn't find the time to do it). Last night I was changing my head lamps, and decided to take a look around the engine bay. I noticed a good sized accumulation of coolant fluid on the transmission box.
Now, I have replaced the radiator cap and my question is whether this will solve my problem or not. I understand that other leaks may be present, however given that the cap was most likely the OE, there are almost 60,000mi on the car, and there was a gum accumulation on the respirator of the cap, could it be that the cap was the culprit? Perhaps the cap wasn't holding the 22lbs of pressure it is designed to hold and allowing the fluid to boil over?
If anyone has some insight on this, let me know.
Thank you,
-backtrailx