Audi A3 Radiator Leak

babygirlH

Hello
Does anyone know how much it would cost for me to get a radiator leak fixed at the garage?
I have to keep topping up my radiator because there is a small leak coming from one of the pipes. Not sure which pipe but there is alway a damp patch on the ground in the same position when I park my car. I would prefer not to use bars leak as I have read that it is a temporary fix and could cause clogging probs in the future.
Any helpful info appreciated.

goldspanners

i wouldnt advise using any leak repair stuff,some i have used on older things and its worked well but generally its a waste of time.
usually you can get a radiator reconditioned so dont fall for the it needs a brand new radiator,a recon could be half the price or less than a new one.
is it definatly the radiator or is it just a hose? or maybe just a jubilee clip needing replaced or tightened?
its a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" question. but i wouldnt pay any more than £100 in parts if it needs a radiator,labour can vary,never done an A3 radiator so dont know how long it could take. if its straight forward then around 1 hour labour. rarely cars are so simple these days though.

babygirlH

Thanks for the reply. I think it is coming from the hose, as the leak appears to fall from that area. It could be the jubilee clip that needs replacing, because I had a problem with the hose disconnecting from the car, I had this taken to the garage to re-connect properly, but it still appears to be leaking. The leak must be quite small, however I am having to top up the radiator every week (which I'm told that I really needed to do if there was no prob with the car)

goldspanners

get it seen to asap, with this freezing weather and you topping up with just water could lead to other damage,you should be topping up with antifreeze to avoid the coolant freezing up.
if this has been looked at in the past then the hose could be past its best and may need replacing. much cheaper than a radiator and much easier to replace.

get some anti freeze in it pronto!

babygirlH

After what happened this morning I have topped with anti-freeze for time being. Will get it looked at tomorrow, as I know the weather will only get worse. Thanks for all the advice.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

If you've been topping your coolant up with water, you'll dilute teh antifreeze to such a point that your coolant will freeze overnight.

Then, when you come to start your car in the morning, with a frozen engine full of frozen water, you're going to have problems...very very serious problems.

Get it fixed, immediately.

Stephb1986_2

I think this is a big problem with audi's as my OH has a T reg Audi a4 that is leaking coolant, luckily its not loads and has been keeping an eye on it but he is going to take it to get fixed soon. He is also leaking oil from his rear diff, if that makes sense.

Steph xx

hewhoisnotintheknow

i was under the impression that radiators were pretty cheap?

goldspanners

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

i was under the impression that radiators were pretty cheap?

recons are cheap but not all oem radiators will be.

titherev would probably be able to give us a price for an A3 radiator.

Andy_L

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

i was under the impression that radiators were pretty cheap?

About £50 for a pattern part from GSF. It's the fitting that's expensive. Hopefully A3s don't have to have the front grill etc removed to replace. Anyone have a workshop manual?

babygirlH

Just to update.
First time I took the car to the garage. The leak was apparently coming from one of the seals that needed replacing - cost me £30 plus he topped me up with anti freeze.
The car continued to still leak a week later.
Second time I took the car to the garage. There was a small hole in one of the pipes connecting to the radiator. - Cost me £25 plus he topped me up with anti freeze.
Anyway I hope the car will be ok now! As I am pretty fed up.