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2005 Audi A8L 4.2 AC issues - watery sound, lack of cool air
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bugbehr
New User
May 26, 2012, 7:00 PM
Post #1 of 3
(3287 views)
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2005 Audi A8L 4.2 AC issues - watery sound, lack of cool air
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Year: 2005
Make: Audi
Model: A8L
Engine size: 4.2L
Mileage: 75,500 miles
Hello! I had just gotten the timing belt and water pump replaced by an indie shop two days ago, in preparation for a cross-country drive back to CA from NY. Around 4PM today, the air coming out of the vents began to feel significantly less cool. Eventually, (to quote Jeremy Clarkson) the air like an asthmatic wheezing through a straw. I noticed water (or a substance similar to water) dripping down onto the front of the passenger side footwell, and I noticed a sound like burbling water, sounding kind of like a small water fountain, coming from the air vents. In addition, there was a bit of condensation on the plastic slats on the air vents.
Is my AC failing because of the humidity and heat, in addition to running at 60+ mph for over 10 hours each day? Or is this a more serious issue linked to my cooling system? I still have 1,600 miles to go before arriving back at home, and I'll have to cross Texas and Arizona in the summer heat. Should I delay my trip and get this issue fixed ASAP?
PS - I found the following post on another forum, and was wondering if it was also relevant to my issue:
"This is a shot in the dark, but I might know what's up. First, I have never heard of an air bubble in the coolant system making a noise you can actually hear. I'm wondering if the noise you are hearing is water trapped in the heater vent system. When the A/C runs to cool the air, any moisture in the air will condense on the cooling fins. This moisture collects and drains out of the heater box through a little tube. With like 99% of car this tube goes back trough the firewall and just drips on the ground near the back of the engine compartment. If something blocks or freezes in this drain tube, you could have a lot of water trapped in the heater box. I don't know where "Bloomington" is but if it has been cold maybe water froze in the drain tube. A leaf getting into the wrong place could also stop it up. It's happened to me with other cars."
PSS - I also found a post on a FIAT forum from someone who heard water gurgling from behind their dashboard. Not long afterwards, their headgasket blew. Will the same thing happen to me if I don't get this fixed?
link deleted............not allowed
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on May 26, 2012, 7:33 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 26, 2012, 7:34 PM
Post #2 of 3
(3258 views)
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Re: 2005 Audi A8L 4.2 AC issues - watery sound, lack of cool air
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Sounds to me like you simply have a plugged up condensation drain. You will have to locate the drain on the engine side of the firewall and blow it out with compressed air.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 27, 2012, 3:25 AM
Post #3 of 3
(3210 views)
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Re: 2005 Audi A8L 4.2 AC issues - watery sound, lack of cool air
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bugbehr: The reason if just water is just as HT said. If just water it would dry out on a paper towel, antifreeze wont. Hope not that! You are underway now apparently now and yes headed for likely hot weather as you said. Short of tools if you can find the drain on firewall at least see if it's intact.
Why did you check a FIAT forum for an Audi? The most common reason for head gasket failures is overheating IMO not inoperative A/C but since you just had a water pump done and may be late, check coolant level as if low after the work done could be the most important problem now. No engine no A/C anyway and worse - walking or towed to next place for more possible repairs.
Suggestion: If doing preventative work prior to a trip of the sort that long especially best to do ahead when at all possible so it proves itself fixed as breaking down on a long run from known places is a nightmare. Good luck with the run.
If you must this (condensate drain) ((Water)) could probably be solved at some truck stops places quickly unless in some very difficult location could be a while you wait fix,
T
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