Excessive foot well heat

**Koopsdeville** · 08-09-2016 04:57 PM

This is the most random thing but is anybody else experiencing alot of heat coming in from the engine bay? My accelerator foot feels like it's on fire after an hour of driving. Is this normal?

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**924Carrera** · 08-09-2016 04:58 PM

I don't notice it near my foot but actually around where my right knee/thigh ends up resting. Both my B5 and B6 S4's get warm in that area. Hot engines in very enclosed spaces, and I believe the left downpipe passes right through that area.

**alcatranz518** · 08-09-2016 05:15 PM

Its normal, do a search you''ll find the numerous threads about it. The heater core is located in the center console an you are feeling the radiant heat from the lines for it.

**924Carrera** · 08-09-2016 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by alcatranz518

Its normal, do a search you''ll find the numerous threads about it. The heater core is located in the center console an you are feeling the radiant heat from the lines for it.

It's interesting that the B5 and the B6 both seem to have the same symptoms (heat radiating into footwell) but the B5 is likely due to turbo/downpipe and the B6 heater core, as the B5 heater core is on the passenger side at the back of the dash.

**roboto_1337** · 08-09-2016 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by 3ohAvant

Does the coolant run though the heater core even when heat is not called for, or does it get bypassed?

Here are a couple more pics. In the second pic, the part in the red is what gets pretty hot, even with the A/C on. And no heat.

From another thread about the same problem, seems to be an easy fix... Run the A/C blasting at your feet... or drive in shorts and flip flops all year....

**Velox** · 08-09-2016 06:01 PM

I dont experience any footwell heat in the s4 b6, certainly not up till the poin where it feels like my foot is on fire

**Koopsdeville** · 08-09-2016 09:28 PM

Well I can feel some coming thru the steering column too but not enough to complain about. But my right foot gets seriously hot. I actually started to think my car was on fire cause I caught a whiff of someone else's pile of crap next to me. I'm glad and disappointed to know this is normal.

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**Koopsdeville** · 08-09-2016 09:29 PM

But ya whatever that red outlined thing is in perfect position to set a blaze to my foot

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**Koopsdeville** · 08-09-2016 09:30 PM

Anyways thx for the reassurance guys

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**alcatranz518** · 08-10-2016 06:28 AM

That part outlined in red is the cover for the heater core piping. I went to the extent of insulating it hoping to reduce the heat but had no luck. I originally thought when I bought my car it was from extreme underhood temps creeping in, but when I pulled the engine I checked/ updated the insulation, flushed the cooling system, and installed headers with heat wrap with no change and then I found one of the threads I mentioned earlier from my own concerns/ frustrations.

At this point, I have (2) different guesses on the possibility. 1- Since not all B6/B7 owners mentioned this problem it could be possible blockage in the heater core that wasn't eliminated from flush causing excessive heat buildup in the footwell from lack of flow. or.. 2- its just a design flaw from Audi, which understanding German engineering I am struggling to accept this assumption. IF it were a design issue and not a failing part/system and all the cars do it, we would have to assume that the many other others of the car don't notice the heat, which anyone of us that have noticed the heat can probably agree to the impossibility of that concept.

I don't know, I don't like the heat either but at this point the only option is to remove the core and flush (or replace it) to either prove or disprove that hypothesis. Unfortunately, with school and work I don't have the time. If I get to (or at any point DO find the concrete cause) I will definitely update my findings. I just don't see it happening anytime soon.

**jr1415us** · 08-10-2016 07:06 AM

My feet are much cooler after gutting the pre cats. They are right up against the firewall, and they become intensely hot.

**Koopsdeville** · 08-10-2016 03:07 PM

Well as much as I'd hate to say this, I'm glad others r noticing this too. I gutted my pre cats as well. Not sure if it's better but I'll tell u that yesterday but foot has never been hotter but outside temps were scorching as well so can't really say. I thought of insulating as well but since you've already tried I'll save myself the annoyance of it all. I mean ya I could bump the AC on the floor and all could b as close to dandy as possible but it steals power and gas. Being a v8 it's already a pig

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**924Carrera** · 08-10-2016 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by Koopsdeville

Well as much as I'd hate to say this, I'm glad others r noticing this too. I gutted my pre cats as well. Not sure if it's better but I'll tell u that yesterday but foot has never been hotter but outside temps were scorching as well so can't really say. I thought of insulating as well but since you've already tried I'll save myself the annoyance of it all. I mean ya I could bump the AC on the floor and all could b as close to dandy as possible but it steals power and gas. Being a v8 it's already a pig

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I think the impact to fuel economy is less noticeable because it has a constantly engaged compressor. With the swash plates in the 0% position, yeah, it doesn't consume as much power, but unlike a clutched compressor it is still being turned all the time.

**Koopsdeville** · 08-10-2016 03:20 PM

I might b getting robbed of power from other issues. Piggies did give me a nice rumble sound but I still think the car was more responsive a few months ago when I bought it. It shakes on bank 2 on cold start. No cel. Replaced all kinds of parts. Nonetheless yes I do feel the AC takes away from its top potential.

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**Velox** · 08-10-2016 03:53 PM

I dont understand why I dont feel it, does this only occur when you have the heater on?. Because it's always hot over here so I never have the heater on.

**alcatranz518** · 08-10-2016 04:25 PM

From what you say I would venture to guess you are feeling it just don't realize it.

**xhackerekx** · 08-10-2016 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by jr1415us

My feet are much cooler after gutting the pre cats. They are right up against the firewall, and they become intensely hot.

^+1

**q_dubz** · 08-10-2016 04:41 PM

i have no cats, ceramic coated AND wrapped piping and i still notice it lol. However the only time i notice the heat is when i have all the windows and sunroof open and i feel it being pulled from the dash area.

**alcatranz518** · 08-10-2016 04:58 PM

I agree with you, unfortunately when the windows are open it makes it worse/ more noticeable as I've noticed as well. Running the A/C is the only real help, by just merely overpowering it lol.

I wish I could even just redirect it to the passenger side if anything, my girlfriend is always cold and I'm always hot as is..its almost like a cruel joke the car is playing..you know... for being jealous