Why does my car smell like syrup

**mikecheck** · 11-26-2006 09:54 AM

For the past XXX months, my car has been emitting a strong syrupy smell from the engine after driving. I heard that this could be a leak from my radiator that causes a smell like this.

I plowed into a deer a while back and thought maybe it was deer guts that are still stuck somwhere but my whole front end has been replaced etc, and there is sign of aunt jemima anywhere under my hood....anyone ever have a similar problem? thanks

**allen@simplytire** · 11-26-2006 09:58 AM

Yummy... me and auntie Jemima used to hang a while back....

**Duchenbagen** · 11-26-2006 10:02 AM

The smell of "syrup" is definitely the sign of a coolant leak. Is your car overheating or smoking while you are driving? If not you probably just have a pin hole leak some where.

**AudiGuy666** · 11-26-2006 10:13 AM

So who won ?

You , or the deer ?

**mikecheck** · 11-26-2006 10:17 AM

Originally posted by Duchenbagen
The smell of "syrup" is definitely the sign of a coolant leak. Is your car overheating or smoking while you are driving? If not you probably just have a pin hole leak some where.

my car hasnt been overheating/ smoking when im driving it, nor are there any check engine lights-

The coolant was just below min level so I topped it off a week or 2 ago.

The audi definately won against the deer! Too bad Wagonwork collision has been a nightmare to deal on repairs. I have had to bring my car back there 5+ times since. They cant get anything right.

**Howard Hughes** · 11-26-2006 10:29 AM

It's probably your cabin filter...... I thought my car smelled like syrup when it would get damp out...so I changed the filter and it went away.... If you haven't changed it in awhile you might want to.

**LAZY TURBO** · 11-26-2006 11:14 AM

take to it the dealership if your still under warranty

**whiteb6** · 11-26-2006 12:43 PM

Same thing happened to me, it has to do with the air conditioning because ever time you turn in on is when it probably smells.

**Sydeshow MO** · 11-26-2006 02:45 PM

Someone mentioned it but that HYRUP smell is coolant. If it only happens when you turn on your heater then you best get your heater core checked. If no leaks are visible get the cooling system pressure tested.

If the smell comes out the exhaust your screwed. Thats a sign of a broken water jacket. Color of the smoke would be white.

**Craigo** · 11-26-2006 02:55 PM

you're drinking too much "lean" in the whip, cut it out boiii

**Cuban B** · 11-26-2006 08:41 PM

I have been having that "sweet" smell alot lately and was under the car today. Turns out I have a coolant leak and it was burning off underneath the car so thats y i never see a puddle but usually have to add a little to my coolant. car is not overheating or anythign either. My leak is underneath around where my front passenger seat would start. check that area out.

Where is the heater core btw?

secondly, i don't post much but y am i always posting right after u craig. Jersey!

**Jeff** · 11-26-2006 09:03 PM

Our red/pink coolant has a characteristic of hazing and hardening when it dries up, leaving behind a nasty white residue. You'll be able to see it, and it is where your leak is.

**dan** · 11-26-2006 10:33 PM

It could also be residual coolant that sprayed your engine after you smacked the deer and busted the radiator and is now starting to burn off when you drive.

**mikecheck** · 11-27-2006 05:39 AM

Good thing I am still under warranty, Ill let the guys at audi figure it out. I checked my coolant level today and wasnt suprised to see that it was low. Speaking of Jersey I plan on driving to ac on Wednesday night so I hope its is a quick fix! thanks for all the insight!

**ACHTUNG** · 11-27-2006 07:01 AM

Originally posted by mikecheck
For the past XXX months, my car has been emitting a strong syrupy smell

The Tossed Salad Man has been in your car.

"Most like to use jelly, I prefer SYRUP!"

**SlvrB6Turbo** · 11-27-2006 07:15 AM

Check the washer under your engine colver, that washer is prone to failure causing coolant to leak out and leave a "crusty" white residue around it. If this is the case try tightening it or just grab another one.

-JG

**roarincheetah** · 11-27-2006 08:17 AM

I was driving to a gtg with my buddies and one of the two cars on front of me (never figured out which one) smelled like that. We did not know what the hell it was, but i stayed behind him for the rest of the night because is smelled soooo good. I'm going to call both of them now and tell them they may have a leak. I'll say thanks for them

**Doss** · 11-27-2006 11:30 AM

Originally posted by mikecheck
Good thing I am still under warranty, Ill to let the guys at audi figure it out.

So did Audi fix your car? Warranties usually won't fix stuff that was broken and fixed by someone else.

I'll pitch my vote in the coolant hat.

**SlvrB6Turbo** · 11-27-2006 11:40 AM

Also make sure that you coolant cap is screwed on very tight as coolant will evaporate quickly.

**Sydeshow MO** · 11-27-2006 11:44 AM

Aunt Jameima or Mrs. Butters Worth?

**mikecheck** · 11-27-2006 03:50 PM

Originally posted by Sydeshow MO
Aunt Jameima or Mrs. Butters Worth?

Log Cabin

**mikecheck** · 11-27-2006 06:15 PM

There is no sign of a leak underneath the engine cover, in fact most of the entire engine bay is next to spotless.

The only suspicious area is right by the coolant there is very slight "crusting" and white residue but barely. The hose that is touching the coolant tank (closest to windshield), does have some coolant on it that is still wet, but the cap is on as tight as possible.

I would think that if this was the source of the smell, there would be more residue than what I saw but who knows.

**Cuban B** · 12-08-2006 08:38 AM

Just watch when your car is parked on a hill...i had the problem for a while and they found nothing wrong with it and now it is straight leaking.

**SleeperAvant** · 12-08-2006 08:53 AM

I had a coolant leak before... I looked at the coolant tank and saw that the level was below minimum. Took it to the dealer to ask about it and there was a coolant leak. If you're still underwarranty they should fix it at no cost.

**mikecheck** · 12-29-2006 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by SlvrB6Turbo

Check the washer under your engine colver, that washer is prone to failure causing coolant to leak out and leave a "crusty" white residue around it. If this is the case try tightening it or just grab another one.

-JG

Is this the washer you are talking about?

Heres another picture of it with the engine cover off

Also, underneath the reservoir, lower in the engine there is some white residue as well as on the top part of the lip on the reservoir

...hopefully i dont have more than one leak, im hoping it just sprayed everywhere from that one seal. Dealer is a headache / far away and id rather replace the seal myself if at all possible ..

Has anyone else had a similar leak, and/ or some insight?
Thanks
Mike

**03a4sport** · 12-29-2006 02:54 PM

Just be glad it wasn't your head gasket like mine. I couldn't find a leak when I had the sweet syrup smell and knew I was burning coolant. Turned out to be a bad HG. Oh well, got that and TB done at same time.

**mikecheck** · 12-30-2006 08:53 AM

anyone?

**swizzchard** · 12-30-2006 02:03 PM

yo, i actually went in for a low coolant and i knew it had to be a leak - there's a TSB for a faulty plug and they topped it off...i have an '05 ultrasport, too.

according to my invoice its a coolant plug in the thermostat housing.

took it to HBL and they took care of it...let me know if u have a decent service advisor there...otherwise, PM me and ill give u a name.

btw, want the tires?

**mikecheck** · 12-30-2006 02:53 PM

what up- yeah time for me to just bring it in, PM me that name and ill give them a try. Do they have loaners there?

As for the tires, im going to get new ones but was thinking about picking yours up also, sorry to keep you hanging but I havent figured it out yet.

but hey do you know what part that is, thats leaking (pictured) Im having trouble?