Hi, new to all this but already with a problem.

A 2002 Superb 100 with what looks like a coolant leak to the insulation behind glove box, there's not a lot, its not water, and there's a strong smell of said coolant in cabin.

have ideas that A/C unit is leaking but cant see.

Ideas B4 i loose my temper with selling garage?

Well i suppose it cant be the A/c as that's gas?? .......so heating?? sounds like fun

Welcome to Briskoda,

one of the tech'y minded will be along soon.

If it's stained it's more likely to be the heater matrix, are you topping the water bottle up much? one thing with AC gas is that when it springs a leak it all comes out under pressure, so if your AC is still working it's not likely to be that, another check is that the scuttle drain holes aren't blocked, this needs the battery and cover panel removed to check, if the holes are blocked then rain will flood in through the pollen filter, an easy check so you don't have to take it all apart, get a litre of water and drop it near the base of the battery, if it drains off to the floor they will be clear, if it doesn't hit the deck then they are likely to be blocked. hth.

ok thanks for the advice, i still feel that its maybe heater related ..as you say the matrix.. as there is the smell of radiator fluid, not all the time but on and off. The other thing, to make it more confusing is that there is no apparent liquid loss (from volume in header tank)

If you even suspect an a/c leak, take the car to a local automotive a/c specialist. They'll can check it for free.

There is an A/C drain somewhere on the car to let the melted water drain away after you turn it off, if it's blocked it could possibly be finding it's way in, although this is normally clean clear water tbh.

There is an A/C drain somewhere on the car to let the melted water drain away after you turn it off, if it's blocked it could possibly be finding it's way in, although this is normally clean clear water tbh.

Agreed. The water that comes out of this (and usually out under the car) is from the condenser - moisture from the air condenses on the cold element when the aircon's on cold.

Anyway, back to the point of the thread; if there's a smell it's almost certainly coolant related. Aircon gas doesn't really have a smell but it's not very nice if you do breathe it in, a bit like carbon monoxide :(

What's been said about the system under pressure is correct though; if there's a leak it will discharge quicker than a teenage boy at a Beyoncé concert.

Thanks, This is all good stuff but i now realise its not A/C related as there is loads of condensation water (ive tested it) coming out of the drain when i stop,(it being hot at the moment).

There's no water, i think, (there must be for the smell) in the cabin, its the smell itself, which being quite distinctive, is annoying. just cant see anything.

When was the pollen filter last changed then?

Also, does the Superb get the same problems as Octys can with blocked up scuttle drains, cos this could give you nasty water/compost mix incress through the ventilation system?

...water/compost mix...

Compost?

Isn't that taking reducing your carbon footprint a little far? :P

Compost?

Isn't that taking reducing your carbon footprint a little far? :P

If you can come up with a better description for a mixture of rotted leaves, a little mud, and water, let's hear it!

If you can come up with a better description for a mixture of rotted leaves, a little mud, and water, let's hear it!

Hmm.

I'll get back to you on that one :P

Changed the pollen filter last week with still the same smell, did the above mentioned water test and , it all ran out real quick so not that either (am going to remove battery+pollen filt, holder to do a real clean real soon...promise)

Changed the pollen filter last week with still the same smell, did the above mentioned water test and , it all ran out real quick so not that either (am going to remove battery+pollen filt, holder to do a real clean real soon...promise)

Check the new pollen filter and the top closure (presumes similar to Octy) are seated and sealed properly.

The best way to do the drain clean is actually to start by rodding the drains out from the bottom.