Scotty,
I have watched your videos for some time now. I have seen the journey from Texas to Tennessee and all of the in betweens. I was stationed at Ft. Hood for 3 years, and I do not miss those insanely muggy and hot Texas days. Let me get to the point...two weeks ago I bought a 2010 Audi Q5 Prestige trim level. I know what you’ve said about Audi, and I did my research for a long while. I purchased it cash, as I did my wife’s 2014 Buick Enclave. Since purchasing my Audi, I have driven it to and from Columbus, Ohio and to Evansville, Indiana (my son plays travel hockey) and back. No issues. I had the 90,000 mile services done where I had my local shop change the oil and filter, I furnished the supplies. While in Evansville, I bought the G-12 coolant for it because the shop said the coolant was just a touch low. The vehicle doesn’t overheat, and only very recently have I noticed the smell of antifreeze. I was idling while waiting for my daughter at her volleyball practice. Again, no overheating despite the smell. The temperature does not get past the normal operating temperature. It has had the water pump replaced at 16,400 (rough estimate) and drive belts, and nothing else of that on the Carfax. My concern is that it needs a new water pump again. I have another vehicle that I can use to reduce the furthering any issues along, but would like this taken care of sooner rather than later. I just got off the line with my trusted mechanic, who, more or less, rebuilt my wife’s 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan (transmission, plenum, brakes and rotors, plugs, I forgot what other work) and he doesn’t have available times until next Wednesday. Ouch. So, called Audi as a backup and no word from them on costs to replace either. Frankly, I’m just looking for some good and solid mechanic advice. The coolant isn’t spraying out...I went at it hard driving it last night and topped off the coolant before this to try and get something to present...nothing, other than the present leak that I can see at the bottom of the engine. I’ll have to top it off again if I chance it driving or absolutely have to, but I do not want to make a small issue worse. To your experience...I ask, if it not overheating, small coolant leak...slight smell of coolant when running or idling after running, never gets past normal operating temperature...does this sound like the water pump? I do not hear any bearing noise (or I may have missed it)...maybe thermostat? Can’t see any cracked or loose/missing lines. Right now, I’m at the “well s*@% stage and trying to stay ahead of it.
I would use a UV dye to find where the coolant is leaking. You can pick up at local auto store. You can also do a pressure test as well. See video below:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rDuGeQnMOzk
Thanks for the reply. It ended up being the water pump (again), which was replaced. I had to suck it up and pay the dealership to fix it, due to timing of kids, life and wife. My usual mechanic (really a great, great guy and honesty on the same level as Scotty) was not available with their shop workload and schedules. Since it was already there I had the thermostat housing and all seals replaced. Contacted Audi about it but, of course, they said nothing. So, it’s a hit but I am fortunate to have saved enough money over the years to get this done and with it being done at the dealership, if anything they did fails, it will be on them to fix under their workmanship warranty. It rides and drives great and I have to admit, knowing it is complete and should not be a concern for me, it is a nice feeling. $1500 repair bill isn’t so nice but, again, I knew it would be pricey so I made sure to add funds to the savings account to handle unexpected issues and repairs. I do miss seeing that balance though 😂.
1500 for a water pump and thermostat????
@daywalker is this Audi a reputable vehicle? Found one for sale and know nothing about them (and there's nothing else on here) other than I think they are expensive to repair.
2010 Audi Q5 3.2 quattro Premium
AWD 3.2 quattro Premium 4dr SUV
@kristian no they are endless money pits esp. out of warranty. Audis are not meant to be owned long term, just leased and Audi knows that! If you really like them, just lease a newer one and return before the warranty expires. That way if anything goes wrong, you throw Audi the keys and they have to fix on their dime.
If you are dying for one then be sure it checks out with a reputable mechanic like the guy above. Do the reasearch that you can, and if it is actually at a price point you are okay with then go for it. It's your money not ours lol. Advice is that repairs are expensive and typically not reliable as they age (exceptions to the rule but also say you got a rav4, in the same year as the Audi if driven same amount of miles the repair would be significantly less on the rav4 compared to the Audi. Can also check tsb's and other forms for more info.)