Hi all

I need to replace my Audi a5 Coolant bottle due to a small leak. I bought a febi bilstein 103414 Coolant Expansion. The part has a silica bag gel inside and seems I can't remove this. I have heard stories this bag can break causing issues so my question is, if I ordered the part directly from Audi will it still have the bag or is there any way around this? Sorry for the silly question, the car is new to me so avoiding any issues down the line as much as possible

Thanks

Ravs

Edited March 27, 20251 yr by Ravs88

Ravi.

That bag of silica gel has caused endless problems to many owners when it bursts. The crystals block the heater matrix and sometimes the thermostat leading to expensive replacements. Whether Audi have ceased fitting the bag I do not know so it would be worth enquiring before purchase. Do please let us know the answer.

Thanks, cloffcoggin. The expansion tank I took out also had it and labelled as VW/Audi, so looks like the original bottle. This also has the bag.

The one I replaced it with is febi bilstein and also has it. I replaced the tank in the end as mine was leaking and and looked in dire state.

Seems all of them have them and after looking online, no way to remove it

 

6 minutes ago, Ravs88 said:

Thanks, cloffcoggin. The expansion tank I took out also had it and labelled as VW/Audi, so looks like the original bottle. This also has the bag.

The one I replaced it with is febi bilstein and also has it. I replaced the tank in the end as mine was leaking and and looked in dire state.

Seems all of them have them and after looking online, no way to remove it

 

Hi I know some aftermarket tanks are sold with no bag which is the selling point, it depends on the shape of the tank if its round you can't remove it as it sits behind a second skin inside the tank, if its square you can fish it out with a pair of extra long needle nosed pliers.

Steve.

I replaced it with a like for like one. See attached. Before and after