2009 polo 1.6 tdi leaking coolant, rough idle and sweet smell coming through vents?

[Eddboy]

Hi all

My 2009 1.6 tdi polo has recently started losing coolant, with this the idle is also rough and now and again I get a sweet smell coming through the vents almost like a petrol smell when the car is a diesel??

Any help would be much appreciated!

TIA

[RUM4MO]

One possibility is that the heater matrix is leaking and it is that being blown through the air system that is causing the sweet smell and even taste on your lips - I did have that problem with a car many years ago.

[Eddboy]

Ok thanks for the info much appreciated:)

[FiftyPlus]

I believe the sweet smell is ethylene glycol: i.e. "antifreeze" or coolant.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene_glycol

I believe it is toxic, so get this fixed urgently I have heard that it can also show up as a coating on the inside of the screen from the heating vents.

Sounds for sure like leaking heater matrix or connection