Coolant, Draining And Filling

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2015 Audi Q7, 2014 Audi Q7, and 2013 Audi Q7. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools and workshop equipment required

Cooling System Tester - AdapterVAG1274/8
Cooling System Charge KitVAS 6096
Shop Crane - Drip TrayVAS6208
Hose Clip PliersVAS6362
RefractometerT10007A

Draining

WARNING:

There is a risk of injury if the radiator fan turns on by itself.

The coolant fan can come on even when the ignition is turned off, for example, caused by the heat still in the engine compartment.

Fig 1: Identifying MAX-Marking For Coolant

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

WARNING:

Risk of scalding due to hot steam and hot coolant.

The coolant system is under pressure when the engine is warm.
Cover the coolant reservoir cap with a cloth and then open it slowly to release the pressure.

-- Open the coolant reservoir cap.

-- Remove the front noise insulation -1-. Refer to NOISE INSULATION, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

Fig 2: Identifying Front/Rear Noise Insulation

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

NOTE:

Collect escaping coolant in a clean container for disposal or reuse.

-- Place the Shop Crane - Drip TrayVAS6208 under engine.

-- Remove the coolant hose from the left coolant pipe by loosening the hose clamp -arrow- and letting the coolant drain out.

Fig 3: Identifying Coolant Hose -Arrow- To Left Coolant Pipe

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Remove the right lower coolant hose from the radiator by lifting the clamp -1- and let the coolant drain out.

Fig 4: Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor On Radiator Outlet -G83- -2-

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

NOTE:

Ignore item -2-.

-- Remove the coolant hoses coolant pipes by loosening the hose clamps -arrows- and let the coolant drain out.

Fig 5: Identifying Coolant Hose Clamps

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

Refer to COOLANT, DRAINING AND FILLING .

Tightening specification. Refer to OVERVIEW - EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION .

NOTE:

The water portion of the coolant greatly influences the effectiveness of the coolant. Audi has decided to define the water quality used in the cooling system based on the different mixtures and country and regional requirements. Distilled water fulfills all requirements. For this reason, we recommend using distilled water for older models when adding coolant or filling coolant for the first time.

Use only coolant additives listed in the Parts Catalog. Other coolant additives may above all reduce the corrosion protection effect significantly. The damage resulting from this may lead to loss of coolant and consequently to severe engine damage.

Coolant with the correct mixture ratio prevents freezing and corrosion damage and calcium deposits. Refer to COOLANT, DRAINING AND FILLING . Additionally, the boiling point will be raised. For this reason the cooling system must be filled with coolant additive year-round.

Because of its high boiling point, the coolant contributes to engine reliability under heavy engine loads, particularly in countries with tropical climates.

Freeze protection must be guaranteed down to approximately -25 °C (-13 °F) (in arctic climatic countries down to approximately -36 °C (-32.8 °F)).

The coolant concentration must not be reduced by adding water even in warmer seasons and in warmer countries. The coolant additive portion must be at least 40%.

If a lower freeze protection is necessary due to the climatic conditions, increase the amount of coolant additive. The maximum amount is 60%. If the amount is increased beyond that, the freeze protection will be reduced and cooling effect will be reduced.

RefractometerT10007A MUST be used to check the freeze protection in the engine coolant system with coolant generation "G13".

Fig 6: Freeze Protection Value On Scale

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

Read the freeze protection value on the scale for the coolant additive that has been added.

Do not reuse used coolant.

Secure all hose connections with hose clamps. .

Refer to COOLANT, DRAINING AND FILLING .

Coolant (40%) and water (60%) for freeze protection down to -25 °C (-13 °F)
Coolant (50%) and water (50%) for freeze protection down to -36 °C (-32.8 °F)
Coolant. .

-- Connect the coolant hoses with the hose clamps -arrows- to the coolant pipes.

Fig 7: Identifying Coolant Hose Clamps

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Connect the coolant hose -1- and the lower right release coupling to the radiator. Refer to Figure.

Fig 8: Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor On Radiator Outlet -G83- -2-

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Connect the coolant hose and hose clamp -arrow- to the left coolant pipe.

Fig 9: Identifying Coolant Hose -Arrow- To Left Coolant Pipe

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Install the front noise insulation. Refer to NOISE INSULATION, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Fill the coolant reservoir on the Cooling System Charge KitVAS6096 with at least 12 liters (12.6 quarts) of premixed coolant in the proper mixture ratio:

Fig 10: Filling Coolant Reservoir Of Cooling System Charge Unit VAS 6096

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Install the Cooling System Tester - AdapterVAG1274/8 on the coolant expansion tank.

-- Attach the Cooling System Charge KitVAS6096 on the Cooling System Tester - AdapterVAG1274/8.

-- Place the air outlet hose -1- in a small container -2-.

NOTE:

A small amount of coolant which should be collected is drawn off with the discharged air.

-- Close valves -A and B- by turning lever at a right angle to direction of flow.

-- Connect the hose -3- to compressed air.

Pressure: 6 to 10 bar (87 to 145 psi) positive pressure.

-- Open valve -B- by turning level in direction of flow.

Fig 11: Cooling System, Draining And Filling

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

The suction jet pump generates pressure in the coolant system; indicator on display instrument must move into green area.

-- Briefly open valve -A- by turning the lever in the direction of flow so that the hose on the Cooling System Charge KitVAS6096 coolant reservoir fills with coolant.

-- Close valve -A- again.

-- Leave valve -B- open another two minutes.

More pressure is generated in the coolant system by the suction jet pump; indicator on display instrument must stay in green area.

-- Close valve -B-.

Needle in the display instrument must remain in the green region, then the sufficient vacuum in the cooling system is obtained for the upcoming filling.

NOTE:

If needle stands below the green area, repeat procedure.

If pressure falls, check coolant system for leaks.

-- Remove pressurized air hose.

-- Open valve -A-.

Coolant is extracted from the Cooling System Charge KitVAS6096 coolant reservoir by pressure in the coolant system and the system is filled.

-- Remove the Cooling System Charge KitVAS6096 from the Cooling System Tester - AdapterVAG1274/8 on coolant expansion tank.

-- Carefully pull the engine cover off the four retaining pins one after the other -arrows-.

Fig 12: Identifying Engine Cover -Arrows-

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Open the bleeder screw -arrow- on the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler just enough so that coolant leaks out.

Fig 13: Bleeder Screw

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Close the bleeder screw.

-- If the vehicle has a parking heater, switch it on for about 30 seconds.

-- Close the cap on the coolant reservoir until it locks into place.

-- Start the engine.

Duration	Engine RPM	Conditions
1 Minute	2000 ¹ RPM	A/C system "OFF", the LED in the AC button does not turn on Heater on "HI", blower speed as low as possible (= 0)
Until the coolant fan starts	Idle	A/C system "OFF" Heater "HI"
3 Minutes	2000 ¹ RPM	A/C system "OFF" Heater "HI"

-- Turn off engine and allow it to cool off.

Refer to COOLANT, DRAINING AND FILLING .

Fig 14: Identifying MAX-Marking For Coolant

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

Coolant level must be at MAX-marking -arrow- with engine cold.
Coolant level may be above MAX marking with engine at operating temperature.