heating problem
 

i have a 98 a4 2.8 and the heat is not working right. when i drive the heat will work but when its at idle it blows out cold air it just started doing that today. does anyone know whats wrong?

Kinda sounds like a bad water pump. Do you have any coolant leaking?

i agree, happened to my a4 when i replaced the t-stat but lost the o-raing and also to my buddys vr6 when his water pump went.

Does the temp gauge work?

If so, top the coolant and drive the car until warm. At idle, pull the return line to the coolant overflow tank. If you have flow, the water pump is working. If there is no flow, suspect a bad water pump or T-stat. Another possibility is the heater core. If it's leaking, you'll likely smell coolant in the cabin or have a wet passenger floor.

flow meaning it it will over flow?

No... pull the small line going to the top of the tank. If it pees all over, you've got water flow.

when i didi that it fluid shot out then stoped and now i also have problem with the steering when the car is cold its loose but when it warms up its stiff but when i start driving it go backs to normal then when i stop at a stop sign its stiff again any ideas?