Colsworth

Hi I'm a great beleiver in asking questions first prior to starting job then again as job progresses.

I am just about to try to get my fathers 2000 A8 4.2 40v quattro to stop using water.

I have an 1998 4.2Quat A8 myself and my father was so impressed he ...well I guess you know the remington story!! However his bank manager would not allow his overdraft to stretch to Audi so he bought an A8.

It has proved to be far less reliable than mine. Even though its got full VAG service history and 95k on clock.

I have just taken gearbox out as there was no reverse and am away to try to see why engine using water.

Any ideas or pointers would be helpful. I'm pretty good 'diy'r' even if I say it myself! Hopefully no probs here. 30 years experience of and on with cars in bits!! I am however not hugely experienced in modern V8's. Only the venerable Rover V8 3.5 and 3.9. Audi looks to have more room than RR which is surprising

Basically car using about 2 litres of water per tank fuel. There IS a small amount of sludge on cap and in breather system.

I am suspecting head gasket. But my cylinder leakage tester indicates all cylinders same. Maybe leak to small. I have not pressure tested coolant system but will tomorrow.

Is either RH or LH head particularly bad at gasket failure. Maybe rear cylinder furthest from water pump?

Any way any tips would help.

Thanks.
Colin Elrick

tozoM8

Try to loosen the reservoir cap and drive it for a few days. If it stops you have a small leak. I had this a few months ago.
The transmission will need a rebuild. The clutch F is gone.

Colsworth

Please don't cringe at the tought of it! But has anyone had any success with 'radweld' sort of stuff that fixes leaks by putting sealant in anti freeze?

Just a thought. I prefer normal repair but there's some pretty trick stuff out there now.

Thanks TozoM8 you were correct with clutch. I havn't attempted gearbox repair its at a specialists and should be ready tomorrow. No sign of bubbles but I didn't try slackening cap and now car out of action.

Cheers

COlin.