Is my Audi A4 head cracked? What to do?, Last update. 10/13. Spewing coolant. |
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Is my Audi A4 head cracked? What to do?, Last update. 10/13. Spewing coolant. |
jk76.914 |
Sep 5 2011, 07:27 AM
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#1
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 809 Joined: 12-April 05 From: Massachusetts Member No.: 3,925 Region Association: North East States |
I may be in a pickle. My daughter's 2004 Audi A4 1.8T, 105,000 miles, was using some coolant. I looked and looked and looked, there was no evidence of a leak. It used about a pint every 500-1000 miles, so I thought there should be some visible sign, but no. There's no symptom at all. Nothing wet, driveway dry, no smoke, starts good, runs fine....
But then yesterday, after topping it off again, I changed the plugs. The threads on the #4 plug were wet. The other three not. I'm guessing a crack from the plug to the water jacket somehow, and it probably opens up at temperature, seeping coolant into the combustion chamber. What do you guy's think? The wet threads seem to confirm the diagnosis... Any other ideas? Anybody know if these things are prone to cracking? Any danger in trying a Bars Leaks sealant? They're pretty well regarded, I think, and they have four products for cracks, head gaskets, etc... I'm thinking of trying the mildest first. She commutes from Boston to Rhode Island daily, putting about 400 miles on the car every week. Here's a picture of the 5 valve combustion chamber I found on line. Lots of opportunities here for cracks... Help! |
rohar |
Sep 5 2011, 09:43 AM
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#2
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 924 Joined: 25-October 08 From: spokane Member No.: 9,685 Region Association: None |
1.8ts are prone to head gasket leaks at over 100k. The head studs tend to stretch a little over that much time. I'm with HAM Inc. the head has to come off. On the up side, these heads come off pretty easy. I'd bet if there is a crack, a visual will find it, but a pressure test would be more convincing. When you put it back together, use a quality head gasket and NEW head studs. The factory studs are not intended to be reused as they're designed to plasticate on install. I'd suggest ARP studs for replacement and don't skimp on a cheap torque wrench.
GOOD LUCK! |
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