[s-cars] Coolant leak from under the intake manifold

[Mike Miller]

This is one more reason to carry a roll of "rescue tape" and a couple 
hose clamps. I've used it on MAF->Turbo hoses and the Michelin Man hose.

--mike

On 1/30/2014 11:36 PM, tedebearp at yahoo.com wrote:
> This is the hose that ruptured on my car recently.  Initially, I wrapped it with duct tape (which was difficult to do well due to I accessibility), and that lasted for about 30 minutes, enough to get me out of downtown SF.  Then the coolant started gushing again and I decided to have the car towed rather than risk blowing a head gasket or warping the head.
>
> I had replaced that hose 7 or 8 years ago when I was changing the timing belt, but I may have used generic hose (don't recall).  At that time I briefly considered replacing the whole section (hose and pipe) with AN hose, but decided that replacing the rubber hose was easier and cheaper.  After it ruptured,  The shop charged me $26 for the hose and $250 labor.
>
> Regardless of whether you have to spend a few dollars more or less to get that hose, it is certainly cheaper now than waiting until it ruptures and results in a tow or warped head.
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On Jan 30, 2014, at 5:37 PM, Tom Green <trgreen at comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>> Radek,
>> Once you have done a thorough investigation of the leak, if you are certain it is coming from  the coolant pipe as you have surmised,  the repair is indeed an involved process that will require removing the intake manifold.  The 6MM (IIRC) allen socket bolts require a long 8" wrench and some careful work to remove them.  Then, there are fuel lines and emission hoses, boost control vacuum lines, etc to deal with, so hope this is not the case.  There is helpful information on the Quattroworld UrS forum in the FAQ.
>>
>> I have made an assumption that this new car is a UrS4 or 6 because you did not say.  If not, disregard all this.
>>
>> If it is the turbo coolant return line ( the 10MM, 160MM long piece of rubber hose below the coolant pipe and well hidden under the intake manifold, this will be infinitely easier, despite the warnings of difficulty.  I will say that it is extremely difficult to change this hose on the side of the road when the engine has just emptied the coolant system through a break in this hose, because it won't cool off very quickly even in the current -2ºF evening.  You will also have to use a temporary fix since you don' t have the hose, meaning you get to do it again soon-real soon.
>> So, if this is it, get the proper hose and do the repair. I have assumed you caught the coolant loss before you overheated and warped the head, which occurs surprisingly fast in these things.
>>
>> There are several electrical connectors and emission hoses under the intake manifold that are in the way, so you need to be very careful.  Some monkey boy handiwork under there can result in a very large repair bill for these parts.
>>
>> Dave, and for Radek also if needed,
>>
>> This hose is sold in 1 meter lengths-still enough for 6 repairs.  The hose is available as Audi part # N 020 262 1 from genuineaudiparts.com (San Diego Audi online parts sales) for $17.48 plus shipping ($7.50 base IIRC) which is a real bargain compared to more than double a few years ago.
>>
>> I can come up with one piece I bought 2 years ago from a lister for $10.00. A small priority mail box would add $6 so balance that against the whole part that probably can be shared and trim the outlay.  If you have additional parts to order, the shipping costs can be spread out over more parts.  If the math is difficult here, let me suggest something.  If there were 2 individuals needing hose (and there are likely more) each might want 2 sections so he had a spare to use 10 years from now, or for an unseen problem, or to play good samaritan for another needy lister who is perhaps new and didn't realize the importance of having  this part handy.  That uses up $16+ of the hose, leaving only $8+ excess, or $4 each if you split costs and hose equally.
>>
>> Let me know if I can help.
>>
>> Tom '95 S6
>>          '95.5 S6 avant
>> Knoxville, TN
>>
>> On Wednesday January 29, 2014, at 3:53 PM,  Dave C <dconner at gmail.com>wrote:
>>
>>> Radek,
>>>
>>> Detailed info on this is here, scroll down to 4. Coolant Return Line ...
>>> http://forums.quattroworld.com/s4s6/msgs/200702.phtml
>>>
>>> It warns that this hose is a real mofo to replace due to difficult access,
>>> and echoes Wylie's warning re: the importance of getting the correct hose
>>> ... p/n N0202621
>>>
>>> This is the QW sticky "Things that will fail on your AAN and strand you on
>>> the side of the road".
>>>
>>> Replacement of this hose is on my "to do" list but I haven't bought it yet.
>>> If my interpretation of ETKA is correct, it's sold in 5 meter lengths and I
>>> need a 16 cm piece.  Does anyone have a left over section to sell?
>>>
>>> Dave C.
>>
>>
>>
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