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I’m having an endless problem with my Audi a3 (2014). The car drives like a dream but the heating just stopped working. The blowers/fans work fine... just blow out cold air. Over the last 2 months the car has been with 4 different mechanics including an Audi dealership. They replaced the timing belt and pump etc but it didn’t fix the problem. Apparently the heating matrix is in perfect condition and that’s not the problem. Last mechanic said that it may or may not be the head gasket and it may or may not need a new engine and to just get rid of the car. I love this car and am disappointed that I am not getting adequate guidance from the experts. Has anyone any thoughts on the potential problem? And is it worth bringing to another local garage to see if it can be fixed?

Ye will do. Hopefully back on the soon

It would be the supercharger, but yeah. It's a possibility. The only way i could think to confirm is pop the hood before starting the car and go listen to it.

Just buy new. Definitely not worth the risk with second hand. Plus It'll depend on spec as to what suspension you have.

Hello Mussa, You are very welcome. Hope this doesn’t offend, but the car’s service history is somewhat sketchy, with a 4 year/23K miles gap in its recorded history. If it were mine:- I would treat this to a major service prior to its MOT. This would include air and pollen (cabin) filters at this stage to establish a sound base point with which to move forward with - as mentioned. I would get the garage to then reset it to an annual service schedule, and you just as well have that done prior to its MOT every year. I would certainly get the brake fluid changed, since there is no recorded evidence of it being done prior. I would also get the auxiliary belt changed at this stage, since this can cause damage if it fails. Good practice is to renew it when the cambelt is changed, but you don’t mention that being attended to. Where to get it serviced?? I favour a local trusted garage, where you can actually talk with the mechanics and discuss any issues found, but respect whatever you feel more comfortable with. Whenever you decide, I would be restraining a filed copy of the servicing invoices from this point on. Hope some of this helps Mussa. Kind regards, Gareth.

Put key into ignition turn key while holding down the lock button on the fob turn off ignition while still holding button down take key out and fob should work this way worked for me .

Thank you a Gareth... appreciate your advice. I will definitely find another independent garage and ask them to check the heater control valve. mom not convinced the car is worth giving up on yet. Thank you again Elaine

Thanks Elaine, So I can guess we can say it’s not using coolant then, and this would discount any head gasket issues where the gasket has failed/partially failed between a cylinder and a water way. You say it performs well so it would be reasonable to indeed discount other head gasket failure modes. In simple words do not follow (the nonsense?) that your issues are due to head gasket problems. Also, discount (again the nonsense?) that you ‘need a new engine’. Of course, you must appreciate that no one on here has listened to, or assessed the engine/car, but......... If it were mine, I would be steering well clear of all the garages you have visited to date, and find yourself a trusted and respected Audi independent - if you have such a place in reasonable distance. If not, bide your time and keep asking around for recommendations of good garages. OK you don’t have a working heater system - inconvenient yes- but liveable with in the short term, since the car runs fine. Stab at the cause of your problem? Possibly heater control valve? Perhaps you could keep us informed on developments. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Gareth, thank you for your reply. I’ve owned the car for 2.5 years and it has always performed well. the car gets up to normal temperature when driving and the gauge does not indicate any issues at all. No warning lights etc to highlight any problems. The engine size is 2.0 and has 135k miles on it. It has had a timing belt and pump replaced recently and it still does not appear to use excessive coolant. Thanks again for your help. Elaine

Hello Elaine, Oh dear, dear. I just see proven needless expense in the wrong directions and fearful diagnosis from here on in. Can I just ask some questions:- Does the car get up to an indicated normal temperature say within about 3 miles, and does it remain at that temperature during continued use, without the gauge dropping or moving towards the hot? Does the car play use any coolant? Engine type/size? Mileage? How long you have owned it, and was it once providing heating during your ownership? Kind regards, Gareth.