Ammonia smell coming out of the coolant reservoir

[LisaGTI]

I took my 2019 GTI (Rabbit Edition) to the dealership as the check engine light came on. When I hooked it up the computer read out it stated it was a coolant sensor issue. They told me the same thing once I got it into the dealership, said they would order the part and it was safe to drive. That was on a Monday, Thursday I took it in for the sensor to get replaced and after 3 hours of sitting there they came and asked me if I added anything to the coolant, I said no, whenever I checked it it was always at the correct level. Then the manager came and asked me to step in his office and told me when the technician took off the coolant overflow cap the coolant started to bubble out and overflow and then put off a toxic smell like ammonia, they stopped working in it and told me to call my car insurance as it was 3,000 miles out of Factory warranty and they believe someone had to have added something to the coolant to give off those toxic fumes. The car is always locked and I park inside my garage when I’m home. Has anyone ever experienced anything like that? My car insurance is leaning towards mechanical failure. I need some advice. I don’t know a lot about cars and I feel someone is lying to me. It ran and performed flawlessly when I drove it into the dealership.

 

[swcrow]

has your coolant system ever received a chemical flush? That's the only reason I could think of that might possibly be able to give off that smell.....if some remained after the flush. It's not ammonia, but rather a chemical that might smell like it

If the car ran fine, get the sensor fixed, drain and refill coolant

 

[LisaGTI]

has your coolant system ever received a chemical flush? That's the only reason I could think of that might possibly be able to give off that smell.....if some remained after the flush. It's not ammonia, but rather a chemical that might smell like it

If the car ran fine, get the sensor fixed, drain and refill coolant

It’s never been flushed, I assume they would have flushed it when they replaced the sensor as it was inside the coolant system and they told me whatever it was ate away at the seal and the sensor. They never told me this but told my insurance company they are recommending an entire engine replacement. I’ve been a loyal customer for 13 years and 4 VW’s they have serviced of mine over those 13 years. I don’t know why they are telling the insurance company it needs a whole new engine but never told me that. It all sounds like some type of cover up. They told the insurance company it’s got a blown head gasket and warped head (but never told me that) and it ran perfectly fine on my drive into the dealership. The temp gauge never got over 190. I don’t understand what coulds have happened???

 

[swcrow]

It’s never been flushed, I assume they would have flushed it when they replaced the sensor as it was inside the coolant system and they told me whatever it was ate away at the seal and the sensor. They never told me this but told my insurance company they are recommending an entire engine replacement. I’ve been a loyal customer for 13 years and 4 VW’s they have serviced of mine over those 13 years. I don’t know why they are telling the insurance company it needs a whole new engine but never told me that. It all sounds like some type of cover up. They told the insurance company it’s got a blown head gasket and warped head (but never told me that) and it ran perfectly fine on my drive into the dealership. The temp gauge never got over 190. I don’t understand what coulds have happened???

sounds like trying to get paid from your insurance. Are you able to take it to another dealership or even an indie mech for a 2nd opinion?

 

[LisaGTI]

sounds like trying to get paid from your insurance. Are you able to take it to another dealership or even an indie mech for a 2nd opinion?

They told me I couldn’t drive it, so not sure how far they got with the sensor trade out. I’d have to have it towed to another dealership at this point. Which I might threaten to do. They keep telling me they can’t touch it until the coolant is tested and they know what chemical it is. But the insurance company said if they do that and it’s a mechanical failure I’ll be paying them back for the testing and I’m waiting to hear how much that will cost. It’s been sitting there two weeks and a day and this is as far as I’ve gotten with answers.

 

[swcrow]

Brutal…. Dealership vs Insurance waiting game. If it were me, I’d tow it elsewhere after I confirmed another place would be able to perform it

 

[sterkrazzy]

Do GTIs have the bag of shit inside the reservoir? Could it be that bag busted open?

 

[2018gti]

I would be so wary of them turning a coolant sensor situation into a let’s replace your engine to rip someone off, aka you + your insurance. Smells like ammonia? Ok drain and refill the system, then you can see if the engine is really “dead”. They could be lying out of their asses to be honest, did they let you see/smell it for yourself? If not I would be running away as fast as I can lol, at least to get another opinion.

 

[DSC808]

Coolant sensor? I just bought a new resevoir bottle for $27 off Urotuning. $12 was for shipping. It's 2 hoses and one sensor clip. Sounds like they are performing the female tax

 

[socalhatch]

Get your car out of there asap. 1 they are pulling something on you or 2 the tech fd up and trying to get the customer as in you or insurance to cover his or her ass. Or they have no work and are trying everything they can to get hours into the shop.

 

[swcrow]

The educated masses have spoken. Please let us know what ends up happening!

 

[LisaGTI]

Do GTIs have the bag of shit inside the reservoir? Could it be that bag busted open?

Mine does have that Silica (or however it’s spelled) but the claim it is still there unharmed

 

[LisaGTI]

I would be so wary of them turning a coolant sensor situation into a let’s replace your engine to rip someone off, aka you + your insurance. Smells like ammonia? Ok drain and refill the system, then you can see if the engine is really “dead”. They could be lying out of their asses to be honest, did they let you see/smell it for yourself? If not I would be running away as fast as I can lol, at least to get another opinion.

Not sure how long it sat in their shop after the supposed bubbling up/ toxic smell but by the time they let me clean my belongs out they had it outside hood up and driver window down and all I could smell was coolant. I have the old sensor in my possession my Dad told me to ask them for it because he couldn’t believe how much they wanted to charge me to change it out. Other than having an oily residue, it looked fine to me, but I never got to see the new part. The nearest alternate VW dealership is 60 miles away.

 

[The Fed]

I've seen dealers cheat people royally, and I had them try it on me twice. Unfortunately for them, I used to do my most of own work when I was much younger, and I have a copy of the service manual. So,I know when they're trying to bend me over. IIWM, I would call a flatbed and be out of there, but I can afford it.

 

[swcrow]

Not sure how long it sat in their shop after the supposed bubbling up/ toxic smell but by the time they let me clean my belongs out they had it outside hood up and driver window down and all I could smell was coolant. I have the old sensor in my possession my Dad told me to ask them for it because he couldn’t believe how much they wanted to charge me to change it out. Other than having an oily residue, it looked fine to me, but I never got to see the new part. The nearest alternate VW dealership is 60 miles away.

See if your dad can help out and get it to that other dealer...OR....look for an indie mechanic that specializes with VWs/Audis.......get coolant flushed and sensor replaced and be done.