Got my windshield replaced yesterday, now I have a coolant leak

[d3vi0uz]

I got my windshield replaced yesterday. Drove about 50 miles afterward.

And this afternoon, I noticed a sweet-funny smell. I didn't think much of it, I just cranked the AC up and the smell went away.

I drove another 50-70 miles.

Then I got home, I parked the car and turned off the AC, I noticed the smell got stronger, and fog started forming at the bottom of the windshield (where the defrost vents are).

I figured it was coolant.

I pop the hood, check the coolant reservoir, everything is good.

I let the car idle for 5 more minutes, and then I get the red blinking coolant light. I immediately turn off the car and check the reservoir.

Coolant was disappearing and disappearing fast.

I check under the car, no drips.

I check the passenger side floor, dry.


What could it be?

Heater core? Hoses? Head gasket?



I hope it's not leaking into the engine, which I highly doubt since the car is VERY HUMID so it has to be getting in the cabin somehow.

I have a feeling something happened when the windshield got replaced yesterday since the car was running just fine.



I'm pissed that something like this happened right before the buyback/fix. At least I can use the Goodwill package and get a free tow to the shop...

 

[manny_c44]

Yeah that's really strange sounding, how could coolant be related to windshield replacement?

My only guess is that a hose is cracked near your cabin-air intake. Could be a simple fix and totally unrelated to the windshield.

 

[d3vi0uz]

Took it into the shop.

It was the heater core.

The coolant leaked out into the cabin all the way to the rear passenger floor.

Worse part is that it leaked on the air bag wires and electrical modules.

Was quoted $7,000 just to replace the air bag wiring and electrical modules!


Heater core" $925 parts and labor
Carpet and foam padding: $1,100 parts and labor
Airbag wiring and electrical modules: $7,000

Total cost: $9,025

I opted to just replace the Heater Core. I figured I'm going to sell it back to VW so I'm not concerned about the long term condition of the airbag. And carpet+foam padding? I'm getting my car detailed, which includes shampooing the carpets, so that should take care of the smell for the next 2.5 months...

Oh, and I had them do an oil change ($120) and diesel filter replacement ($115). I asked the VW adviser if she can give me a discount considering the cost of the other repair, and she gave me 15%. Essentially the oil change and diesel filter came free with the heater core replacement.

 

[meerschm]

When I had the windshield replaced on my son's car (local safelight), it came back with marks on the top of the dashboard (like they put something there to push the glass out)

it may not help you much, but it seems possible to me that the glass folks may have done the damage.

who did the glass replacement?

 

[d3vi0uz]

When I had the windshield replaced on my son's car (local safelight), it came back with marks on the top of the dashboard (like they put something there to push the glass out)

it may not help you much, but it seems possible to me that the glass folks may have done the damage.

who did the glass replacement?

I figured the same.

"Cheap Auto Glass" was the company.

I'm not TOO upset since I bought the car 2 years ago with 29,000 miles and it now has 107,000 miles. This is the only repair I had to do on the car, so I guess that's good relatively speaking.

What would be the next thing scheduled to go out on this car?

 

[weasel]

The HPFP.

 

[740GLE]

timing belt

 

[meerschm]

What would be the next thing scheduled to go out on this car?

I hesitate, but here you go.

Battery.

 

[JBell]

Took it into the shop.

It was the heater core.

The coolant leaked out into the cabin all the way to the rear passenger floor.

Worse part is that it leaked on the air bag wires and electrical modules.

Was quoted $7,000 just to replace the air bag wiring and electrical modules!


Heater core" $925 parts and labor
Carpet and foam padding: $1,100 parts and labor
Airbag wiring and electrical modules: $7,000

Total cost: $9,025

I opted to just replace the Heater Core. I figured I'm going to sell it back to VW so I'm not concerned about the long term condition of the airbag. And carpet+foam padding? I'm getting my car detailed, which includes shampooing the carpets, so that should take care of the smell for the next 2.5 months...

Oh, and I had them do an oil change ($120) and diesel filter replacement ($115). I asked the VW adviser if she can give me a discount considering the cost of the other repair, and she gave me 15%. Essentially the oil change and diesel filter came free with the heater core replacement.

Have you tried to take it to Walnut Creek VW? They are a fantastic dealer in your area.