Warning symbols

[scouser_75]

Erm, I have a bit of an embarassing request to make... ops:

The other day, whilst driving, a red warning symbol flashed up on the dashboard - the symbol was of a (and no laughing now, please) erm, well, there were 2 squigely lines at the bottom, with a vertical line going up, and, i think there where 2 small horizontal lines going through the vertical line. ops:

Any ideas anyone???

And is there anywhere I can check to see what all the symbols mean?

Thanks

A very embarassed Alps

[Martynf]

Alps,

That sounds VERY much like the dangerously low water level in your expansion tank!! I would check this VERY, VERY soon!!! top up as needed, but why has it leaked????

Martyn

[scouser_75]

Hmmmmm Very strange... I've only just had the bleedin thing serviced :confused:

The mechanic (if you can call him that) assured me I was ready for the winter stretch!

Is the expansion tank the one that the windscreen washers are linked to?

I'll check the water levels tonight in both tanks and fill em up regardless of the amount of water in them.

Alps

[s2driveruk]

if it warning symbol looks like and F at the top thats the coolant expansion tank (with the blue screwtop).

If they flushed it, chances are there might have been an airlock which has now been removed and the coolant had dropped down slightly - that alarm can be quite sensitive too i've noticed on mine at times.

HTH,

David

[scouser_75]

So David, do I put water into this tank? Or is there a special coolant for it? (damn I sound n feel sooooo thick!) ops:

Ohhhhh, hold on 1 sec... I think I know the thing now. It's the tank that should NOT be opened when the engine is hot...right?

Should I play it safe and fill the coolant up a little bit, just in case? If so, what coolant should I get?

Alps

[s2driveruk]

yep - let it cool first and let the coolant level stabilise, then open the cap when the tank is cool, check the level which in your case is going to be below the plastic mound mark about an inch deep from the top og the tank - think there is a MIN mark.

You can fill with either some coolant (Check what was put in, it will start with a G number no dout if an audi dealership or specialist did it) or you can topup with clean fresh cold water - if you live in a hard water area - distilled water might be a good bet due to limescale.

Cheers,

David

[scouser_75]

it is OK to mix coolant with water, right?

[Martynf]

yup, roughly 1 third coolant, 2 thirds water roughly.

[scouser_75]

Merci.

[Keeper of The Kitten]

Def sounded like the coolant warning, I've seen that on both my coupes! The symbol represents a thermometer dipped in water and warns of high temperatures as well as low coolant levels. Being really important it shows up red instead of amber (which is for the less damaging problems like washer levels and fuel level).

I've needed weeping radiators changed on a few occasions on both my coupes! I agree with David, it can be a really sensitive warning.

One theory I have is that the system gets drained for whatever reason during servicing, and if the interior heater is set to cold then it can develop an airlock which isn't filled when the system gets refilled - then, when you set the interior cooker knob to warm, water flows into the heater and the airlock finds it's way into the system - and eventually causes the drop in the expansion tank..??

[scouser_75]

Kitten, I think you have hit the nail square on the head with your theory.

I checked the coolant tank on Friday evening. Because it was dark it was a little difficult to see the minimum & Max marks, but with the help of a torch I managed to locate them. I filled up the tank with distilled water, and set off on my merry way. At first no warning light

But, soon there was that the warning light flashing away! Pronto I took the car home and decided to wait to check the coolant tank in daylight.

Next morning noticed the water level had dropped a fair bit. So filled it up again. Once again, set off on my merry way... and once again, no warning light Untill I turned the heating on

Tried this a couple of times, and everytime it was the same. Heating comes on, then so does the warning light!

I think I'll just take it along to a mechanic and have them check it out properly.