What could this be? Audi A3

[S70JPS]

My wife has a 1.6 A3 (2005). About 12 months ago it was using 1/4 pint of water every 2 months. I pinned this down to a very small leak in the radiator. Not wanting to go to the expense of a new radiator I put some radweld in this worked fine until the other week when I had to add another 1/4 pint of water. At the time I checked the oil and the filler cap was full of mayo. I checked again a week later and again the filler cap was clogged with mayo. The dipstick is clean the car is not overheating or blowing out steam (apart from when cold which it has always done for the first few miles). What could be causing this? I would normally think head gasket but there are no obvious other symptoms. Has anyone experienced the same and could offer advice?

[silentbrown]

Oil cooler?

[S70JPS]

Is there a separate oil cooler?

[fivepointnine]

my 1.8 just went though this, but mine was mayo looking coolant, oil cooler.

[silentbrown]

S70JPS said:

Is there a separate oil cooler?

Will depend on the exact engine, but I expect so. Probably between the oil filter and the block, with coolant hoses leaving it. Part 19 here.



Is there an oily smell in the coolant?

[the-photographer]

Might just be the cold weather.

[S70JPS]

The car has always smelled oily and uses a bit of oil. No more than normal I'm told. So a change of oil cooler in order? I'm off to google the price. I can't look at the car at the moment as someone ran into the back of it so in the garage. Typical this happened within a week of someone running a red light and tboning mine. Got it back in mint condition though. Spent an extra few hundred quid whilst it was in the garage and got it de stone chipped.