Strong smell of coolant in cabin

[Splashalot]

Edit: 2018 GTI, 33,000kms (20,000 miles) full dealer servicing.

Over the past month or so I've noticed an increasingly strong smell of coolant inside the cabin.  Not so much under the bonnet, though - just a slight whiff there.

My coolant tank level has remained unchanged.

I can't get under the car to check for leaks around the waterpump/thermostat due to a medical condition.

I've narrowed down the possible cause to either the dreaded thermostat housing leak or heater core (given the smell is mostly in the cabin).

I'm having the car briefly looked at by a trusted local VW specialist Monday, but if I want an in-depth analysis it's at least a 6 week wait.

So prior to Monday, I thought I'd ask if anyone else here has had these symptoms, and if so, what was the outcome.

Cheers.

[Carbon VW]

Hi, going by your signature your car is a 2018 I would go with it possibly being the thermostat housing leaking rather than the heater at that age. As you say, once it’s up in the air and inspected it should be easily diagnosed. Good luck
Ps make sure they check the seal on the coolant bottle lid also.

[madstaff]

Could be a leak in the engine bay, thermostat housing for example, and the coolant smell is being drawn into the heater and exhausted in the cabin giving the impression the heater matrix is leaking.

[Finglonga]

I presume the carpets are not wet. Remember with coolant a slight weep will stink in in the cabin.

[Splashalot]

I presume the carpets are not wet. Remember with coolant a slight weep will stink in in the cabin.

Yep, all carpets report for duty dry.

I post this reluctantly, but decided my public service duties outweigh any shame:  Just pulled the contents of the centre console compartment out, and found a slightly leaking bottle of hand santiser I'd long since forgotten about - which smells remarkably similar to engine coolant!   

I've thoroughly washed the console and sticky contents and leaving it all to dry with the windows down.  We'll see whether the smell is still there tomorrow. 

Boy, do I feel a bit of a Gumby....  But if I've found the cause it will be worth it.

[Watts]

Not that bad. I left the coolant cap off mine and ended up at the side of the road with steam from under the bonnet....

[Finglonga]

  :grin:Nice cheap fix. Makes a refreshing change.

[Carbon VW]

 

[baka]

I'd call that a win, beats changing a heater matrix!