hot water smell in cabin

[hrc sp bongo mark]

hi could any body advise i have a 98 slg3 and on my way to work this morning i got a faint smell of hot water. temp gauge at normal 11o clock. header tank at full mark, oil ok nothing seems to be wrong
regards mark

[dave_aber]

temp gauge at normal 11o clock

Mason alarm fitted, or standard (pointless) temp gauge?

[Dabs]

If you can smell hot water beware suspected leak!!! Probably a pin prick hole in a hose!!

[hrc sp bongo mark]

hi there is no alarm fitted

[Rhod]

More than likely a hose on it's way out. Do you also get some misting on the windscreen?
There's a good chance that it's a pinhole leak which will only show up under pressure.

First thing to do is wait until the engine is cold, and then check the coolant level in the header tank (if you have Coolant Alarm fitted to the header, it'll tell you if the level drops). Top up to the full mark with a water/coolant mix. Be aware that the standard temperature gauge will not move fast enough to alert you to overheating until it's too late.

Next get the engine up to normal running temperature. With the engine running lift the bonnet & check for signs of escaping coolant from the radiator/hoses. If nothing there, then lift both engine covers (drivers & passengers seats) and again check the hoses for escaping steam and bulging. It may be easier to to this in the dark with a torch, as the steam will probably show up better. Just make sure you monitor the coolant level frequently.

If you still can't find the leak, then I'd suggest going to Hadyn Callows website & buying an Ultra-violet tracer kit. Add the UV solution to the header tank, run the engine, shine the UV torch & the leaks should show up as a yellow glow.

In my case, glowing yellow droplets on the inside of the under-tray, originating from an unknown source No doubt all will be revealed once I get the Bongo onto a ramp, remove the under-tray & shine the magic torch around.....

[hrc sp bongo mark]

many thanks for your help

[mikeonb4c]

I'm mystified by a tendency to a misty windscreen, also smelly humid air from vents breifely when switching blower back on after running with aircon on then leaving vehicle so that the hot engine warms the airways. But I have no other obvious sign and my header tank level isn't dropping at all (well OK, I've done 2 small topups in a 18 months I think). Anyone else get these symptoms? Old Bongos are a bit notorious for moist, smelly blower systems so is mine unusual or not? And its only momentary. Once running for a few seconds, the smell is gone and things settle down

[jaylee]

I'm mystified by a tendency to a misty windscreen, also smelly humid air from vents breifely when switching blower back on after running with aircon on then leaving vehicle so that the hot engine warms the airways. But I have no other obvious sign and my header tank level isn't dropping at all (well OK, I've done 2 small topups in a 18 months I think). Anyone else get these symptoms? Old Bongos are a bit notorious for moist, smelly blower systems so is mine unusual or not? And its only momentary. Once running for a few seconds, the smell is gone and things settle down

Water ingress is a tendency with the blower fan, isn't it..? If the gutter tube isn't kept clear under the windscreen...?

[mikeonb4c]

I'm mystified by a tendency to a misty windscreen, also smelly humid air from vents breifely when switching blower back on after running with aircon on then leaving vehicle so that the hot engine warms the airways. But I have no other obvious sign and my header tank level isn't dropping at all (well OK, I've done 2 small topups in a 18 months I think). Anyone else get these symptoms? Old Bongos are a bit notorious for moist, smelly blower systems so is mine unusual or not? And its only momentary. Once running for a few seconds, the smell is gone and things settle down

Water ingress is a tendency with the blower fan, isn't it..? If the gutter tube isn't kept clear under the windscreen...?

Yea, I thought of that but mine is clear and I check it regularly.

[missfixit70]

Could it just be the fan is set to recirc? Mine "smells" musty if I leave it on recirc for too long & the windscreen mists up, try it & you'll see what I mean.

[mikeonb4c]

Could it just be the fan is set to recirc? Mine "smells" musty if I leave it on recirc for too long & the windscreen mists up, try it & you'll see what I mean.

Yup - checked that one off my list too and it wasn't causing the problem. I say 'problem' but its v. minor - disappears v. soon after starting and running the blower, and its only when I've had aircon on and stopped for a break with the engine hot. Could there be any condensing going on that causes a small amount of water to drip in the airways maybe.

One thing I ought to do anyway is take the fan out and give everything a good clean. Having heard stories about the crud that builds up over time, it would do it some good I think

But I'm getting lazy these days - need to give myself a good kick

[helen&tony]

Hi
Mike
About 30 years ago, I had an Audi...same problem...I thought heater matrix...especially as I once had a mini with that problem. I took the heater apart...no problem...an awkward 3 hour job considering I did it by the roadside...my house was in an old area...about 250 years old...no garages....The problem was an astounding amount of mist on the inside of the windscreen...at ANY time....In desperation, I took it to Audi....being prepared for an almighty great bill....they couldn't have been more helpful...I asked about the heater matrix, and they said "no way,,, we've never had such a problem"...but if I insisted it was in the "book" as a 3 hour job....rip-off, I thought...a fully equipped main dealer workshop taking the same time as me working by the side of a road....you're pulling my leg.....The workshop manager got interested, and came out, and looked round the car....liking it A LOT, and giving it the once over, said it was unique...not just my slight custom, but the trim....it was an Australian Export model first registered UK....he got really interested, and using all their resources, suggested that it may be possible that it had been dropped in the sea when being trans-shipped....apparently they had heard of it before....suitably down-hearted that I may have residual salt knocking around in the trim, as suggested by the very helpful dealership, I consoled myself by giving the car a thorough clean , inside and out....I bought some industrial glass-cleaner, and did the windows....Wow and DOUBLE WOW..the rag was BROWN...and I had not long given the interior a clean....properly, as I had worked as a car valeter whilst at Uni. to earn money....but the muck was unbelieveable...the screen didn't even look that grubby....
So...what I found was a tobacco film inside the car...as I used to smoke...and tobacco film holds the moisture like nothing on earth!!!!...
I was so embarrassed that I found the fix, as there was no trouble afterwards, so I explain all this at length, as I doubt anyone would believe the level to which such a film would hold moisture....AND how difficult it is to clean off
Cheers
Helen

[mikeonb4c]

Hi
Mike
About 30 years ago, I had an Audi...same problem...I thought heater matrix...especially as I once had a mini with that problem. I took the heater apart...no problem...an awkward 3 hour job considering I did it by the roadside...my house was in an old area...about 250 years old...no garages....The problem was an astounding amount of mist on the inside of the windscreen...at ANY time....In desperation, I took it to Audi....being prepared for an almighty great bill....they couldn't have been more helpful...I asked about the heater matrix, and they said "no way,,, we've never had such a problem"...but if I insisted it was in the "book" as a 3 hour job....rip-off, I thought...a fully equipped main dealer workshop taking the same time as me working by the side of a road....you're pulling my leg.....The workshop manager got interested, and came out, and looked round the car....liking it A LOT, and giving it the once over, said it was unique...not just my slight custom, but the trim....it was an Australian Export model first registered UK....he got really interested, and using all their resources, suggested that it may be possible that it had been dropped in the sea when being trans-shipped....apparently they had heard of it before....suitably down-hearted that I may have residual salt knocking around in the trim, as suggested by the very helpful dealership, I consoled myself by giving the car a thorough clean , inside and out....I bought some industrial glass-cleaner, and did the windows....Wow and DOUBLE WOW..the rag was BROWN...and I had not long given the interior a clean....properly, as I had worked as a car valeter whilst at Uni. to earn money....but the muck was unbelieveable...the screen didn't even look that grubby....
So...what I found was a tobacco film inside the car...as I used to smoke...and tobacco film holds the moisture like nothing on earth!!!!...
I was so embarrassed that I found the fix, as there was no trouble afterwards, so I explain all this at length, as I doubt anyone would believe the level to which such a film would hold moisture....AND how difficult it is to clean off
Cheers
Helen

Thanks Helen. Yup, I've learned that one the hard way too but the inside of this windscreen gets cleaned pretty regularly. As I say, its minor and occasional anyway (and clears immediately when aircon put on) but it is puzzling, in a minor sort of way.