Signs of Coolant Hose Issues in Your Audi
Audi vehicles are often prone to coolant leaks either from their radiator, flange, water pump, or their coolant hoses. It is extremely important to keep an eye out for any signs of issues with your Audi’s coolant hose. If a coolant leak is ignored, serious issues can arise, such as engine overheating, causing a simple fix to escalate into a large repair.
Why is coolant important?
Before we get into the signs of issues in your coolant hose, let’s get a better understanding of what coolant is and why it is important. First, a common misconception about automobile coolant is that it is universal. Coolant is not universal. Although some coolants can mix and perform just fine, others do not. The chemical reaction can be extremely damaging for your vehicle. If you want to fill your own coolant, ask your mechanic what type of coolant they used last in your Audi so you can ensure you have the right type.
Understanding the type of coolant that goes into your car, whether it be Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT), Organic Acid Technology (OAT), or Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT), will allow you to keep your Audi running safely. Just as the name suggests, coolant keeps your engine cool. It does this through the different chemical properties as a mixture of distilled water and alcohol. Along with cooling the engine, it also keeps the engine and its liquids from freezing in those harsh winters.
Specific Signs of Problems with Coolant
Now that you know what coolant is and where it can be found, let’s focus on a common problem found under the hood of an Audi. Coolant hoses are one of the main sources of Audi coolant issues so it is important to be aware of the signs that may come with a leak or clog.
Dashboard Warning Lights
As you already know, your vehicle has a warning system built right into the dashboard. This is a great place to look for multiple reasons; the most obvious is the different warning lights. If there is something going wrong with your engine, one of the warning lights will turn on. In your Audi manual, you will be able to see exactly what each of the warning lights means. Along with that, these warning lights are built to notify you of extremely serious problems. When one of your warning lights is flashing, or in some cases all of them, it is recommended that you pull over right away and either call a tow truck or ask your mechanic to meet you where you are.
Coolant Leaking Beneath your Vehicle
This may be a tough one to notice, especially if you do not park in the same spot every day at work or every night at home. However, it is good to know what coolant looks like so you can spot it on the ground if you have a leak. Not all coolant is the same, so be sure you know what your specific coolant looks like. Typically, coolant will come in a few different colors: bright green, red/orange, or yellow/orange. Knowing the color will help you identify any spots of liquid on the ground when you pull out of a parking spot.
Smelling Coolant
Another common way people realize they have an issue with their coolant hose is when you start smelling coolant. If the hose is leaking coolant, it will be very easy for your vehicle to start ventilating the smell of coolant throughout your vehicle. If you do not know what coolant smells like, you may think you just drove by a candy store because most coolant has a sweet smell to it. It is recommended that you take a little sniff of your coolant, either when your mechanic is flushing your system or on your own. This will help you identify an issue with your coolant hose just by smelling the leaking coolant.
Engine Overheating
The final and most serious warning sign of an issue with your Audi’s coolant hose is an engine that is overheating. Keep an eye on the temperature levels in your engine and take note of any odd inflections in heat. A common issue with a coolant hose is a hot air pocket. Sometimes these air pockets find themselves clogging the flow of coolant throughout your Audi and can cause some weird inflections in temperature. If you are witnessing your thermometer in your dash spike up one second and then fall back to normal the next, this may be your problem. Along with that, if you missed all of the previous warning signs and your coolant has completely leaked out, you will notice your engine temperature continuously rise higher and higher. When this happens, you only have a short amount of time before your engine takes serious damage.
Munich West Serves the Decatur and Atlanta, GA Areas
If you have found yourself in any of these situations, 
head over to Munich West on 2990 North Decatur Road in Decatur, GA. The team at Munich West is one of the most trusted European auto repair shops serving the greater Atlanta, GA area. Whether you are looking for a routine checkup or you have been noticing one of signs of issues with your coolant hose of your Audi, our expert team can help. Our trusted mechanics have been leading the race since 1976, so you can rest easy knowing your Audi is in their hands.
