[s-cars] slight whiff of coolant

[Jay M]

I would just carefully inspect and see if you can isolate and determine where the leak is coming from. It could very well be a small leak caused by a loose hose clamp or a bad hose. Look at all coolant system hoses and other possible visible sources of leaks after you have taken the car for a spirited drive. After the spirited run, inspect with the car idlling in the driveway and look and smell for visible leaks. Also make sure the expansion tank cap is in good condition and secured tightly to the tank.

 

Huw may not realize but replacing the thermostat and waterpump is a fairly time consuming job on the 1997 A6 and is usually done when the timing belt is replaced. Since you have 165K on the car maybe you are due for your second timing belt and you can replace the Thermostat and water pump as part of the routine maintenance. 
 

> Date: Mon, 8 Aug 2011 23:17:23 -0400
> From: lee at wheelman.com
> To: audi at humanspeakers.com
> Subject: Re: slight whiff of coolant
> CC: s-car-list at audifans.com; quattro at audifans.com
> 
> No car in front of me. The car was in the driveway, idling.
> 
> Lee
> 
> On 8/8/2011 11:08 PM, Huw Powell wrote:
> > Yes. Replace it, the radiator, the hoses, the thermostat, and the 
> > water pump.
> >
> > Could have been the car in front of you, though.
> >
> > On 8/8/2011 9:57 PM, Lee Levitt wrote:
> >> Patient is a '97 A6 quattro avant, 165K on the odometer.
> >>
> >> I just noticed a slight whiff of coolant in the car tonight, haven't
> >> noticed any other symptoms.
> >>
> >> Early sign of a heater core going?
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >>
> >> Lee
> 
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