Golf MK7 - intermittent coolant smell/heater not working

[smurf]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has experienced this.

I’m getting intermittent coolant fumes in the cabin (very strong and maybe once every few weeks, usually atleast 20mins into a drive) and the heating is no longer working in the cabin.

Everything is suggesting the heater core needs replacing. Has anyone had to replace theirs and did you go to VW or a general mechanic?

[flat6]

Can you smell coolant in the engine bay?

[Lucas_R]

If you can smell it strongly inside the cabin (and there are no obvious leaks in the engine bay) then it really can only be the heater core itself or the lines going to and from it.

Best take it to one of the many VW specialist mechanics in Sydney to be diagnosed.

[smurf]

So VW have had a look and the heater control box needs replacing. They have quoted $4397 to fix it! Really surprised that something like this would need replacing.

[Lucas_R]

Crazy price. Either source one from a wrecked car (there is a Golf on ebay thats only done 4000km thats being wrecked) or unhook it and go without a heater. A fair chunk of that cost will be labour as the dash needs to be either partially or completely removed to access the heater box.

Its not a super common fault on the Golfs, but it does happen.

Part itself is pretty cheap: Heater Matrix fits VW GOLF Mk7 2012 on Exchanger Interior 5Q0819031A VOLKSWAGEN | eBay

SWAG Interior Heating Heat Exchanger For VW SKODA AUDI SEAT Arteon 5Q0819031A | eBay

[smurf]

Yes they have quoted 20hrs labour to fix it. I’ve contacted a few other mechanics for a quote so will see what they say.

My worry is that it may actually be to heater core as well because the burning coolant smell coming thru the vents is very strong when it does happen.

Can’t believe this has happened while I’m waiting for my new Tiguan! Ordered it last November and it’s due next March

[DV52]

Can’t believe this has happened while I’m waiting for my new Tiguan! Ordered it last November and it’s due next March

@smurf: hi.

hmm...... am I correctly understanding your words - the Golf is to be traded-in for a new Tiggy in March 2023?

If so, and given the outrageous cost of repairing the heater-box, why not pass-on your problem to the dealer?

Instead of repairing the leak in the cabin, simply by-pass the heater function (all together) by connecting the in/out coolant hoses to the heater core in the engine bay - for the interim time before delivery of the new car! Then, restore the hoses back to factory status before you pick-up the Tiggy

Yes, this means no cabin heating for the remaining period - if this is a problem, spend some of $4,397 saving and buy yourself a jumper!!

I would normally not make this slightly dis-honest suggestion - but I've absolutely no doubt that the dealer will still make a sizable profit from the new-car/trade-in transaction!!!

And, if further justification is needed as a salve for any residual Catholic guilt from my suggestion -remember, the dealer costs for repairing the heater core will be considerably lower than $4,397 and their buy-sell margin on the trade-in (even with the heater core repair) still will likely be obscene!!!

So, bottom line=my suggestion is win-win and you get to keep both wins!!

Don

[smurf]

Hey Don, I’m actually keeping it as a second cat but you’re right, the heater isn’t a deal breaker and I do have heated seats to make up for the lack of heater [emoji23]

I actually just changed my order for t-roc r today [emoji23]