The other night when I had to get my car towed due to my tranny dying on me, it was a flat bed truck. Well, when I got to my location, I noticed a small puddle of coolant under the car, appeared to be coming from the radiator drain plug. When we off-loaded the car there continued to be a drip and a small puddle of coolant. After I parked the car at home, I returned to see if there was a puddle under the car the next morning (about 4 hours later) and there was no sign of coolant. I am wondering if it had some to do with the extreme incline from the flatbed (about a 45 degree angle), causing the warm coolant to come from somewhere. I checked it yesterday afternoon and no sign of any moisture.

Anyone ever experience this before?

Sorry this is so long and appreciate you taking time to read this. BTW, my coolant level is fine, the puddles maybe added to a couple of cup fulls.

Micah

 

You're sure it's coolant and not water that may have been trapped somewhere? The coolant system is a sealed pressure system and the only way coolant can get out is a leak. Did you check the water pump, as that can be a problem.

The only time I've heard of A4 and radiator problems was years ago when the tranny cooling tubes in the radiator would leak and mix coolant and fluid resulting in the replacement of both the tranny and radiator.

 

I'll take another look, but I saw a hint of orange in the fluid and everything else was bone dry, with the exception of the area just around the drain plug. In fact, when I touched the drain plug (it was tight), the plug was very moist.

 

Looks like the line to the TB leaked a little bit during the car being pulled/taken on/off of the flat-bed tow truck. I guess that the angle (about 45) caused issues. Not sure, but everything is dried up and I think what I will do is cut some of the hose off and get new clamps on it after I get the new tranny and tc installed (hopefully this later this week.)

I think the NYTMARE will be back on the highways soon!

A little update for those that care.

Micah

 

I'd be willing to bet it was condensation from your AC. It's not uncommon to have a decent puddle collect under my car anytime I run the AC and the humidity is high.

Next time you notice a puddle, go ahead and taste it. If you live, it's only water.

If you choke on it or experience violent body spasms, it was something other than condensation.

 

I'd agree, but I wasn't using my AC. Thanks on the recommendation, I will try that next time.