Waudi

After my car sits for a day or so, my cars gives off this anti-freeze smell when I crank it up and the heater cut on..very faint and doesn't last very long but its there. Have any of you experienced this and what do you think it is. I think a pin size hole in the heater core. May call my SA at Audi to see what he says.

Sandy S

Could also be a small leak around water pump and smell is be being sucked into the cabin air intake until it burns off?

DrGP

If you have a pre 3/10 build car, I would get the WP replaced ASAP.

ssaa77

Yep. Water pump. Get it checked asap (or replaced)!

DrGP

Water pump leak. This is how it starts. Check your coolant level. If it anywhere lowere than the MIN line, get the WP replaced. Also, if your car is a pre 3/10 build, the WP is going to blow sooner or later. Start with that.

Waudi

Thanks for the responses. I check the coolant level when the engine was hot and it was right at the Max line. I mean perfect. I think my date of the car is 9/10. I also thought i may have smelled a little anti-freeze after some "spirited driving" today. Man this car is fast and corners well (I have the sports diff w/6sp). Also when i put my car in the "dynamic" setting it is a whole new animal.."auto" just can't compare.

NWS4Guy

Not necissaily guys, Audi's tend to have a sweet coolant like smell when the heater first kicks on, all Audi's tend to do this, it's not indicative of a coolant leak.

Waudi

Thanks..i am hoping that this is just what it is. There is no indication any coolant being used..hence the perfect coolant level when the engine is hot. Keeping my fingers crossed.

NWS4Guy

Mine has always smelled like this for the first few seconds then gone. Never had any leak, and the dealer just proactively replaced my pump last week and it still does it. Many have asked about this and it's an Audi quirk apparently - check the search and you'll see several posts.

clochner

If your build date is 9/10, then it has to be a 2011. So shouldn't be a WP failure.