Coolarj10

Dear all, I have a 2011 Audi S4. Coolant has been leaking for the last month or two and recently it goes from MAX to MIN very quickly (within seconds to a minute) upon topping it off, but then it stops leaking as fast and becomes drivable for at least half a day or so.

My mechanic took a look and is pretty sure it's the water pump. He is charging $1886 ($473 parts, $517 body labor, $356 mechanical labor, $396 body supplies) for what appears to be replacing the water pump (with a new german metal based one rather than OEM plastic) and also replacing the thermostat.

I took it to Audi, they want to charge $1392 ($267 parts, $1125 labor) to replace the water pump, PLUS $1668 to replace the thermostat. They said the water is leaking under the supercharger and believe it's not the water pump, but it's possible it could also be the water pump. So they want to charge $500 to get under the super charger, then they'll put that $500 towards the $1668 cost to replace the thermostat and crossover pipe, and then $1392 to replace the waterpump because the waterpump is supposedly a different job all together.

This does not seem right to be, I believe I'm being overcharged in both situations. Any thoughts on this?

Oddly, over the phone at Audi he first quoted me $1629 ($504 parts + $1125 labor) for both thermostat and waterpump, but now they seem to be going back on what he said and are saying they misquoted me.

Any advice is appreciated as this does not seem like a $3000 issue.

Thank you!
Arjun

Coolarj10

Just bumping this thread in case anyone has any suggestions?

SMac770

Heh, when it rains it pours.

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...1#post14608043

Certainly doesn't seem like more than a couple hours task. The thermostat is right there if you're doing the pump, so yeah, seems like that dealership is trying to scam you. Or the service writer is just an idiot.

Breyden Phillips

I was having a similar problem as this and it was my intercoolers inside my supercharger leaking. Its very common on these cars. you have have the supercharger off in literally 20-30 minutes and only need the most basic tools. I bought a whole supercharger used with 40,000 miles for $250. may be something to take off and look at before you go paying that much. you can see the intercoolers easily with the supercharger off and if they are bright and shiny and clean then they are leaking. if they are a brownish gold color then they are fine.

qnator

similar problem - coolant went down to below min in about 2000ks. even after water pump replacement. on opening the the coolant tank, was a bit of vaccum in there when cold.
It doesn't seem like the coolant tank is a fail, but something is off. did you manage to work it out?