I was driving to work today and after about 30 minutes...I get this weird burning smell. So I thought it was another car and roll my windows up to turn the AC on. But after doing that, the smell got stronger and then I realized it was my car .

I haven't had the chance to get under car yet, but when I pop the hood the smell is not as strong as inside the car.

Considering the coolant audi uses is different, does it smell the same as the regular coolant other cars use when there is a leak? (kind of a sweet smell?)

Thanks

 

Yes it does.. its all glycol based.

 

I think the coolant flange, might be wrong. Auditech posted a thread common problems+repairs for this.

 

Is it an oil burning smell? Rubber? Plastic?

I had a burning smell once. It was a coil pack melting along with the harness!

 

Im not sure what kind of material would be that is causing the smell. I've had a plastic bag get stuck on the exhaust piping, so I know that smell pretty well. I checked to see if anything got stuck, but that was not the case. Oil..I doubt it because I know what it smells like too. And it doesn't smell like the typical antifreeze either.

I will jack car up and have a closer look this morning.

This smell is starting to give me a headache...literally.

 

Exhaust leak?

 

Sounds like the coolant temp sensor is leaking.

 

OK...I checked under car and saw that the oil drain bolt had a bit of oil coming out and it was also all over the splash guard. So I tightened the drain bolt for now but will have to replace the crush ring once I do the seafoam treatment.

However, that was not the problem .....

Took car to Audi mechanic and confirmed the smell was from power steering oil on the exhaust. He pointed out that the steering rack would need replacement along with control arms .... I just got this car

The good thing is that the dealer gave me 30 days warranty, so I am still within the limits.

...to be continued

 

Wow, I would have never thought of that, so you're gonna get that replaced under warranty? Did it make that weird whining noise when you turned?

 

I spoke with dealer and will have to bring it in the morning and have THEIR guy take a look at it. But I rather go with a reputable mechanic though. The mechanic shop I went to quoted me $1,900 for parts and labor...

Here is a pic of some of the oil leaking on the control arm


These are a pics of the drain bolt and oil pan




Going by the orange gasket sealer, it looks like they had to remove the oil pan for some reason. I may have to replace that orange crap with an actual gasket and perhaps get rid of all that mess below.