sweet smell from engine bay
07-24-2013, 01:17 PM
#1
sweet smell from engine bay
I smell a sweet smell after I step out of the car after driving it. The car doesnt overheat and all cats are removed. Is this normal? I have a 1990 c4. Car doesnt over heat but temp does go up if I drive it really slow like 5mph or leave it idling for a while after driving it. Is this signs of a head gasket leak?
07-24-2013, 02:19 PM
#3
Head gasket will give a more pronounced sweetish smell from the tail pipes than the engine bay. Hopefully you just have a leaking rad, expansion tank, or associated plumbing. Feel around the expansion tank fitting that goes to the rad. It's very common for those to leak.
And it's perfectly normal for car engines to heat up when not moving. Your cooling system should be able to keep it under 225ish though. If you're seeing much above that, then you might have other problems.
And it's perfectly normal for car engines to heat up when not moving. Your cooling system should be able to keep it under 225ish though. If you're seeing much above that, then you might have other problems.
