1.6 FSI Coolant loss

I thought there was only one thermostat, controlling the lower circuit with dual opening points, 110 for general driving and 87 for high speed driving. The lower temperature achieved with heater resistor in the wax stat. (This came from SSP222, which although it describes the FSI's "Electronically Mapped Coolant System" is not A2 specific).
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Where abouts is the second, 87 thermostat located?
Mac.
Correct there is only one thermostat in the BAD Fsi used in A2, I got the two thermostat operation from SSP_296 for the BAG Fsi used in VW.
 

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Correct there is only one thermostat in the BAD Fsi used in A2, I got the two thermostat operation from SSP_296 for the BAG Fsi used in VW.
No problem @steaman learning needs a stimulus, and disagreements are as good as any. FSIs are a constant source of both stimulus and disagreements!
Mac.
 
I didn't die under an A2 on bricks!

I did take off the under tray (which didn't need any jacking up in the end, thanks to long arms) and found the coolant drenching the drivers side, which I took as a good sign that the coolant was not being ejected from the expansion tank by exhaust gas in the coolant circulation, so probably not a head gasket. I spoke to Rob from WOM and he advised that a coolant leak explained the symptoms rather better than a head gasket failure, so that was all good. Sadly Rob also said that he had a 2 week waiting list, so I took it to another garage rather more local with some experience with Audis (and apparently also A2s). They inspected and confirmed a broken coolant pipe behind the exhaust manifold.

Here matters take a turn for the worse, as the coolant pipe did not come out cleanly, but shattered inside the coolant pump housing. So now I'm down a new water pump, timing belt, and the labour necessary to fit it. I wish I'd known the pipe was going to go since WOM changed the timing belt and water pump in March.

I fear that this will herald the end of my A2 ownership, as it is my partner's car really, and she has informed me in no uncertain terms that she needs transportation that will be reliable and not require expensive parts and labour multiple times a year. What sort of price might I expect for a 1.6FSI SE with 46000 miles? Also Bose sound system. I sincerely hope that it covers the repair costs I am currently incurring.

Thank you to all the experts who have posted advice and information. It has been very interesting and I have learnt a lot (and if it was only up to me I'd happily tinker with and A2 in my spare time).
 
This sounds like the "death pipe" on the FSI. It is generally given a life expectancy of 10 years. Sorry to say if you have had the car more than 10 years this could have been down to lack of maintenance.
 
If the water pump and cam belt were only replaced in March then there shouldn't be any need to renew them. As far as I know the 'death pipe' locates in the block behind the water pump, so once the pump has been removed any remains of the pipe can be cleaned out before it is replaced.
There's a few members who have completed this job, so hopefully they will be able to confirm.
 
Good Evening,

Thought it would be the death pipe. My initial thought was akin to Catnip64, no need for a new timing belt kit unless the garage is unaware it was new in March, maybe new pump if they managed to damage it but all sounds a bit fishy to me.

Sorry it looks like you are leaving us and you ask about sale price. You will have plenty left over to cover current repairs!, and for what it is worth I recently opined about FSI values here.

Buy your partner another car, keep the FSI then you will be able to tinker around in your spare time to your hearts content!

Andy
 
Hi,

I second your opinion for a reliable means of transportation. Had we not had a second car available, a mazda for that matter, we would have no jobs or lives or both! This might sound a bit extreme but in countries like this one, this is the truth.

I would however ask the garage to take out the old pipe and use a shop vac to remove any of the remnants. Being brittle small pieces of plastic and they should all vacuum out nicely. No need for an expensive new belt kit. If this is all that you 1.6 suffers from then for a good price I'd keep it to save you the trouble from fiddling with some other car that you know nothing about. Knowing these cars though, there will be some other source of leak down the line.

Ask the garage to do just this for a good price and if they cannot then either keep it on your driveway and do it yourself or get something else to keep your everyday lives and sanity at bay!
 
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