Coolant leak in both footwells

[asalhan]

Hi All

As the title says, I have just had the whole coolant tank drain into the front footwells. I drove the car on Friday morning and nothing was wrong. Then when I went to pick up the missus from work in the evening, I noticed the car smelling funny inside. I had a good look around in the front and noticed the mats and the carpet on BOTH sides was drenched. The carpet runs up the sides of the centre console in the footwells and that was wet too. I had a look at the coolant tank and it was almost empty.

I mopped up as much of the liquid as I could. Could this be the heater matrix that has p***ed itself all over the footwells? I had it replaced back in December as there was no heat coming from the vents on the drivers side.

It was done under warranty by a local garage. The warranty expires in May so I will have to be fast.

Has anyone else had this happen to them? I'm hoping it's a hose or something like that because the initial warranty claim back in December was over 1K.

 

[spartacus68]

Does sound related. Fact that the matrix was replaced. Did they fit genuine part or pattern part? Speak to the garage that did the work and take it from there. I would get a wet-vac and shampoo on the coolant on the carpets, then get a dehumidifier up and running so it's bone-dry.

 

[asalhan]

It was done via warranty so they had no choice but to use genuine parts. I saw the invoices and parts as well.

The car has gone to their garage now so let’s see what they come back with. Once it’s all done I’ll get one of them rug doctor things and give it a good going over. The floor mats are drenched as well. Luckily I took the original Audi ones out and ordered some heavy duty ones from an online store. If I have to replace them, it won’t be THAT much of a sting.

I’m just surprised that it’s taken two long to show its face considering I had the matrix replaced back in December. It was a bit warmer last week and I had the AC on for the first time this year, maybe that has something to do with it.

 

[asalhan]

Just an update...

The garage who fitted the matrix back in December has had the car for a full day now and have taken apart the heater matrix. There was a slight crack in it which is why the coolant leaked out. It must have gotten worse over the past few months and then just given up all together.

Since the part he used was a genuine one (ordered via TPS) Audi Leicester have told him that they will not honour the warranty unless they have the car in for diagnosis and repair. The earliest they could fit me in was two weeks away. He was rather annoyed at them and has now ordered a new matrixfrom an alternative source (which will not be here until Tuesday).

He is going to put in a formal compliant in to Audi and TPS.

 

[spartacus 68]

Thanks for update. My advice, use air con all year round. Keeps seals lubricated and helps dehumidify too. Not saying it’s related, but that‘s my approach.

 

[asalhan]

To be honest, I do. I don't know what the heck happened with this. I'm just going to wait until Wednesday/Thursday to see what the garage says. Such a farce!