I have a 99 a4 2.8, my problem is that everytime I go to start the car after it's been sitting for a while you have to either crank it for about 5 to 8 seconds or crank it for about 2 sec turn ignition off then crank back immediatly and car turns over right away.</P>

 

Probably a bad coolant temp sensor. Mine went bad and I had trouble on cold starts. Had to crank it 5-10 times before it would catch. Do you smell rich exhaust after you start the car? Or do you get dark smoke from the tailpipe?

Otherwise, maybe a dying ignition control unit.

 

I don't see any black smoke, the only thingI noticed is that sometimes after I start it and turn the heat on I get a smell of antifreeze. This may be another problem what do you think?</P>

 

That would be your coolant... I would suggest you look at your temp sensor to see if its partly unplugged or loose in the plug. It basically plugs into the end of a coolant hose. If its not secure it could be causing your starting problems, as well as leaking coolant and causing the smell.

If the coolant smell is another problem I would normally think its your heater core. Pray thats not the problem. Do you find any leaks inside the car? under the foot mats or anything?

 

I checked for any leaks in the vehicle, did not feel anything wet. How hard is it to change the heater core and do a4 have a tendency of cores going bad?

 

They dont have a "tendency" to have the core go bad. But I know of a couple instances. Usually the coolant starts leaking into the car. If you don't see that I think your fine.

Did you check your coolant temp sensor?

 

not yet, trying to locate it

 

I am having the exact problem with my 99 a4! Did you ever resolve this? Thanks