This can't be good and probably won't end well..

[Big Mike]

[begin rant]

After leaving my favorite pizza joint tonight I jumped in the H, started it up, turned on the climate control so it was split between defrost/floor heat, and guess what I smelled ??

yep, you prolly guessed it.........antifreeze :whaa:

The parking lot was dark so I pulled under the lit canopy of a nearby gas station and popped the hood...I didn't see any leaks but could smell antifreeze..One thing I did notice was the engine fan would not turn off even after I shut the climate control off, is that normal ??

Temp gauge never went past half on the way home which is good..

Anyway, I'm under a 60 day used vehicle warranty (which is almost up) here in NY what do you want to bet the GM dealer does not warranty the rad ?? If any good has come out of this the H was going in Monday to get a couple small items corrected that have popped up since I bought it..

I've read a sheet ton of radiator threads on here and another forum so I feel pretty well educated on this common problem....One thing I will not do is let the dealer fix the rad or anything else if it isn't under warranty, that is all driveway work for me not profit for them..


We'll see where this goes luckily the H is my winter ride not DD so it looks like the S4 will get pulled out of storage and run at least for a while this winter... :no:

[/rant over] :corn::corn:

 

[skeptic]

I could be completely wrong, but from what you describe I'd suspect maybe the heater core. If you are not seeing leaks outside the car, check inside - probably the passenger floor area. You mentioned the smell when you turned on the heater.... I'm guessing with the car running you smell it stronger (only?) inside than under the hood.

 

[Big Mike]

I could be completely wrong, but from what you describe I'd suspect maybe the heater core. If you are not seeing leaks outside the car, check inside - probably the passenger floor area. You mentioned the smell when you turned on the heater.... I'm guessing with the car running you smell it stronger (only?) inside than under the hood.

Never thought of that I will check in the morning..

 

[alrock]

Good luck!

 

[Big Mike]

Good luck!

thanks man.. :thumbs:

 

[Big Mike]

Went out this morning looked things over and still can't find a leak..

I turned on the heat no smell of antifreeze inside and the carpets are dry...When I opened the hood I still smell antifreeze and the fan is still staying on all the time but no visible leaks..

I'll let the dealer worry about it tomorrow.. :corn:

As a final kick in the nads I fired up the Audi today for the first time since the H arrived and was met with a TPMS fault.....how nice :sigh:

 

[digglesworth]

Are you talking about the cooling fan? I was under the assumption that it stayed on all the time cause its shaft-driven right off the water pump and the fan clutch regulates the speed of the fan based on temperature...
Have you done a coolant flush? That dex-cool stuff can turn into a snot-like consistency that's not good for the system.

 

[Big Mike]

Are you talking about the cooling fan? I was under the assumption that it stayed on all the time cause its shaft-driven right off the water pump and the fan clutch regulates the speed of the fan based on temperature...
Have you done a coolant flush? That dex-cool stuff can turn into a snot-like consistency that's not good for the system.

yes, cooling fan for the motor and no on the coolant flush..

no codes showing on the scanner either..

 

[digglesworth]

Hmmm. Have you cleaned your MAF and TB? That can make a difference in the way it idles... I dunno how many miles you have but spark plugs might not be a bad idea... They say the plugs are good for 100k but being used, its hard telling what the previous owner did or didn't do. Ac delco iridiums are the way to go. As far as the fan, I don't think it ever completely stops spinning but I could be wrong.... I did a coolant flush at 80k and my gf (helper) couldn't believe snot was coming out. I bought a bottle of prestone flush but ended up using straight water. The service manual said not to use cleaners.... Also, check the furthest forward coil pack/plug area. There was an issue with the trim on the hood leaking and water was dripping down right on that pack...

 

[Big Mike]

Hmmm. Have you cleaned your MAF and TB? That can make a difference in the way it idles... I dunno how many miles you have but spark plugs might not be a bad idea... They say the plugs are good for 100k but being used, its hard telling what the previous owner did or didn't do. Ac delco iridiums are the way to go. As far as the fan, I don't think it ever completely stops spinning but I could be wrong.... I did a coolant flush at 80k and my gf (helper) couldn't believe snot was coming out. I bought a bottle of prestone flush but ended up using straight water. The service manual said not to use cleaners.... Also, check the furthest forward coil pack/plug area. There was an issue with the trim on the hood leaking and water was dripping down right on that pack...

The dealer cleaned the MAF and TB before I took delivery because the idle issue was found on my first test drive....I was under it again yesterday and still did not find a coolant leak..

I dropped it off at the dealer at 7:30 this morning they can figure it out under warranty.. :thumbs:

 

[alrock]

I'll trade you my A3 for your S4 :giggle:

Good luck with the dealer, hope they find something nominal and address it. Note that if the coolant reservoir has to dump any fluid it can hit the hot engine and of course you'll smell it quickly. Perhaps that happened before you turned it off (or even on restart) and then on restart the smelly air got pulled in via HVAC.

 

[Big Mike]

I'll trade you my A3 for your S4 :giggle:

Good luck with the dealer, hope they find something nominal and address it. Note that if the coolant reservoir has to dump any fluid it can hit the hot engine and of course you'll smell it quickly. Perhaps that happened before you turned it off (or even on restart) and then on restart the smelly air got pulled in via HVAC.

Not sure my 38 inch inseam would work in a A3 !!!!!! They are a cool car though..

Thanks for the info on the rez.. :thumbs:


I told the service dude before I left "if its not covered under the 60 day warranty don't fix it".. I'm sure he loved that :mock: