Coolant Smell - Advice with the dealer?

[r600_clubsport]

Hi everyone, hope all well. Really need some advice please. I've been having a nightmare with this common coolant/antifreeze burning smell, Thermostat replaced back in feb/march, kept getting the same smell after. Went into dealer couple of times who said it was residue burning off etc....i'd done quite a fair bit of driving so i really did not think this was it & believed was an issue still. Well my vehicle went in for a major service and whilst on health check video the tech pointed out residue under the sump (i had cleaned all this last time it came out of VW), i then went to them saying it's obviously there still an issue. I then had to go via VW Customer services to get the vehicle back in for a more indepth look as dealer kept telling me no fault

I've had the call tonight to say master tech has been on this vehicle, no leaks, etc, they are leaving it on a pressure test overnight? I did say should the vehicle not be taken out for a driver, so it warms up and driven under load but i got told the pressure test will show if there is def a leak. I'm not really mechanically knowledged and not sure if i should demand they take it for a good drive still to get the smell?

Any advice/knowledge of experience would be much helpful. It's getting to the point that i'm not sure if i should just take it into an indepentent dealer to sort....but then it's princple & still fair bit of cost to sort.

[Carbon VW]

If there’s a leak the pressure test will expose it. Doesn’t matter what temperature the coolant/engine is at. If your not happy with the diagnosis, get a 2nd opinion from a good Indy

[SRGTD]

I used to notice the smell of coolant with my last car. Reported it to the dealer at the first service and they carried out a pressure test and reported there weren’t any leaks. Reported it again at the third service before the warranty expired and it was pressure tested again and the dealer reported back again there were no leaks.

Other than an initial top up of coolant after a few weeks of ownership due to air trapped in the cooling system working its way out, I never had to top up the coolant again in 4.5 years of ownership, but the smell was definitely there - particularly noticeable when I parked the car in my garage.

I don’t own the car now so it’s not my problem if the water pump or thermostat housing need replacing, but I was always aware of the coolant smell.

[r600_clubsport]

well after couple of days of pressure test's, running car to temp, test driven, left running for long period of time....they cannot find any leaks or any coolant burning smell........i'm shocked they don't get the smell.....but nothing more i can do. They have said though if the smell does start again and im driving etc then if i can drive straight to them & ask for manager they will bring a tech out there and then to look at it right away...no hanging about or booking in.

[Finglonga]

Have a look down in front of the engine with a torch for any tell tale coolant marks on the front of the engine under the inlet manifold and on the top of the under-tray where it will gather if the thermostat housing is leaking. You can still smell it only if it is slightly seeping a little bit of coolant smells quite strong.

Had mane changed in 2016 under warranty and could still smell it as they had only finger tightened the jubilee clip up of the main hose into it, I tightened it properly and it has been fine since (touch wood).

[st33ly]

Any faults on VCdS for auxiliary water pump? Coolant smell is a sign that’s on its way out.

[r600_clubsport]

well after driving home yesterday from the gym.....maybe a little spirited...nothing major. i could smell it again, thing is i can't see any leaks/residue left there, think only residue from last time. VW totally saying no leak blah blah

. really baffles me, ive had a quote from indy to get water pump/thermostat done at good price - revision parts been told also, think will just get it done as can't keep having car off road for days in dealer.

[st33ly]

Mate before you go splurging £600 on thermostat and water pump seriously check the auxiliary heater pump. It’s a £150 part from VW and it takes 30min to fit. Do you have Christa or OBD11?