Coolant smell
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
Coolant smell
I've had a faint smell of coolant off and on for a while now. The level in the overflow tank does not go down. It's driving me a bit insane worrying about the heater core.
This morning I got a whiff and turned on the heater and smelled nothing. No visible leaks anywhere. I think I'll put a pressure tester on the radiator tank and pressure test.
The passenger side floor and underdash is completely dry.
AARRGG!!
This morning I got a whiff and turned on the heater and smelled nothing. No visible leaks anywhere. I think I'll put a pressure tester on the radiator tank and pressure test.
The passenger side floor and underdash is completely dry.
AARRGG!!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 579
I've had a faint smell of coolant off and on for a while now. The level in the overflow tank does not go down. It's driving me a bit insane worrying about the heater core.
This morning I got a whiff and turned on the heater and smelled nothing. No visible leaks anywhere. I think I'll put a pressure tester on the radiator tank and pressure test.
The passenger side floor and underdash is completely dry.
AARRGG!!
This morning I got a whiff and turned on the heater and smelled nothing. No visible leaks anywhere. I think I'll put a pressure tester on the radiator tank and pressure test.
The passenger side floor and underdash is completely dry.
AARRGG!!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,315
Likes: 245
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
May want to pull the panel and check.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
Happened to me last year - in my case it was the water pump seal that was failing. Just because you can smell it in the car doesn't mean that the leak is in the car.
IMHO - Pressure testing the system or using the dye you add to the coolant are the best ways to find the leak.
You might get lucky and find it's just a loose hose clamp....
IMHO - Pressure testing the system or using the dye you add to the coolant are the best ways to find the leak.
You might get lucky and find it's just a loose hose clamp....
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
Happened to me last year - in my case it was the water pump seal that was failing. Just because you can smell it in the car doesn't mean that the leak is in the car.
IMHO - Pressure testing the system or using the dye you add to the coolant are the best ways to find the leak.
You might get lucky and find it's just a loose hose clamp....
IMHO - Pressure testing the system or using the dye you add to the coolant are the best ways to find the leak.
You might get lucky and find it's just a loose hose clamp....
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Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 324
From: Mid Ohio
Last yr I had a coolant smell but only outside and for about a month I didn't see evidence (wetness or drips). In my case it turned out to be the stock radiator was leaking near the bottom.
The lower rad support is a big piece of plastic. It doesn't have any drain holes and was holding about 15-20oz of coolant before it started to drip.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-radiator.html
The lower rad support is a big piece of plastic. It doesn't have any drain holes and was holding about 15-20oz of coolant before it started to drip.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-radiator.html
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
Just to follow up. I checked the cap, cleaned the area re-installed the cap no more smell. It is due for a flush etc. But, after noticing date codes of 1989 on the radiator hoses it appears that it's time for all new hoses. Why in the heck have they lasted 25+ years is beyond me. I've owned it three and the previous owner had the waterpump replaced and tstat (with the wrong one BTW) but no hose replacement.
Ah, it's just a thing.
Ah, it's just a thing.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 15,926
Likes: 579
Just to follow up. I checked the cap, cleaned the area re-installed the cap no more smell. It is due for a flush etc. But, after noticing date codes of 1989 on the radiator hoses it appears that it's time for all new hoses. Why in the heck have they lasted 25+ years is beyond me. I've owned it three and the previous owner had the waterpump replaced and tstat (with the wrong one BTW) but no hose replacement.
Ah, it's just a thing.
Ah, it's just a thing.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
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From: Anaheim CA