Doolin64

I bought this vehicle for my wife last fall with 30k miles on it. I know the 2.0t is not a powerhouse in this configuration, but for scooting kids around the games, the grocery store, etc. It's more than enough for her. Just figured I'd get that out there before people chime in and say I should have bought the 6.

We already had the entire sunroof frame replaced for a squeak that I'm confident will be back, we had the rear break TSB down to prevent the groan in reverse...but our latest one has me stumped. My daughter claimed she smelled something burning the other day. My wife didn't smell it. I went out to the garage a few days later and smelled antifreeze. It's a pretty distinct smell. No puddling or drips on the floor. Coolant reservoir was at the right height. No check engine lights etc.

I brought it in for service today for an oil change and tire rotation. My last service before we roll out of the bumper to bumper 3/36k miles. I told them about the coolant smell and they came back saying I have a valve cover leak and they are going to reseal the valve and cam bridge cover. Would a leak from this produce a smell of antifreeze? I can't imagine it would. Just wondering if anyone else has had this issue or could explain this to me. It's covered under warranty, by I suspect in a month, I'll be back for this same coolant issue. Just that time out of warranty.

richsurf

No a valve cover would not cause a coolant smell, a head gasket possibly would. A water pump leak definitely would.
Do you see any white smoke or more smell on startup?
I know the 3.0 engines have water pump issues after $1.5+k to fix mine.
See if there are any TSB's or any complaints on Audiworld about the 2.0.
It may have just started if you haven't noticed a drop in the res.

Doolin64

I never noticed any smoke. In fact the car was running just fine. We just started to smell something that I thought was antifreeze.

The dealership just called and they fixed the valve cover/ cam bridge leak. We'll drive it and see how it "smells". It was covered under warranty. We just have about 20 more days until we are out of the 4/yr 50k.

I haven't been able to find much on this issue. I'm thinking it's isolated.

Blake P

Interested in hearing how this is resolved because my 2.0T is nearing the end of the CPO 100k warranty. So far the only real issue has been the water pump replacement, which was found by the dealer without me even mentioning anything.

quattro_rails

Another possibility is the car's HVAC heater core leaking coolant.

Doolin64

That was my thought, but we're not seeing it anywhere and I'm not smelling anything after picking it up from the dealer.

Doolin64