I smell coolant
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 125
From: Birmingham AL
I smell coolant
I hope that part #000000001 (AKA heater core) isn't going out in my '89. For about 2 months, I have smelled coolant in my car while driving. I have not found any leaks. there is no residue in my heater vents. The odor comes and goes. Usually the temps are at around 190-210 when the smell is noticeable. the car usually runs at 180-185, but when in traffic, the temps go up slightly. I can't find a leak. Where does this come from? I have tried to pinpoint the leak, but it never happens consitently. the coolant level is fine. I did notice a pool of coolant next to the thermostat about a month ago, but just that one time. The thermostat and gasket are a several months old. I have let the car idle while I watch the engine compartment and there is no leak. :banghead: Should I just buy a christmas tree air freshener and forget about it? :jester
[Modified by Siveck, 7:52 PM 1/28/2003]
[Modified by Siveck, 7:52 PM 1/28/2003]
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Re: I smell coolant (Siveck)
Does that mean that my heater core is about to :U ? :banghead:
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,775
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From: Birmingham AL
Re: I smell coolant (vader86)
Sometimes I want to :auto: this thing off of a cliff. Oh well, a heater core every 10-15 years isn't too bad. How many weeks of vacation am I going to need to fix this thing?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
From: Patterson CA
Re: I smell coolant (Siveck)
.. How many weeks of vacation am I going to need to fix this thing?
Have you checked the two hoses that attach to the engine side of the heater core? I had a corinary (sp?) a couple of weeks ago because I thought I needed to order 00000001 but found that the top hose was leaking a little at the clamp and the smell somehow was coming into the car. i replaced the hose and it's been fine every since.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,661
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From: Phoenix, Arizona
Re: I smell coolant (VetBoy89)
Same symptoms on my '89 for about 2 months.....then, surprise..... the windows fogged up on the way to work last Tuesday - it :U coolant inside. I'm putting in a new one this weekend. I think I will tackle the "breadbox" removal & solid plastic block-off while I'm at it.
Does anyone have a good top dash pad for an '89? Mine is split & cracked with one of those plastic covers. I could replace that too.....
Does anyone have a good top dash pad for an '89? Mine is split & cracked with one of those plastic covers. I could replace that too.....
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Re: I smell coolant (Siveck)
Sometimes I want to :auto: this thing off of a cliff. Oh well, a heater core every 10-15 years isn't too bad. How many weeks of vacation am I going to need to fix this thing?
Before I tore into things, especially the heater core, I think I would want to know exactly what and where the problem is.
I had a similar experience recently and it turned out to be a freeze plug weeping a tad. I could only smell coolant at a stop, when a very small amount (drops) would hit the engine pipe.
When I first smelled it, I too thought HEATER CORE!
Get a pressure tester, or a friendly service tech to pressure test the system for you. One tell tale sign of leakage around the engine is a trail of white or colored residue on the block or the frame.
It mat well be the heater core, but I would want to be sure before I got involved with that
:steering: [ I love that Lil Guy! ]
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Birmingham AL
Re: I smell coolant (jackdaroofer)
How did you diagnose the problem. I'm having the same problem now. I smell coolant when I stop. Constantly having to top it off. I can't find anything leaking.
Thx ... Jim
Thx ... Jim
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
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From: Southeastern Louisiana
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Re: I smell coolant (jimswhite92)
My 94 Blazer did the same thing, constantly topping it off, coolant smell occasionally at stops. If I had diagnosed it earlier I would have been happier. Finally it gave up the ghost. Coolant soaked passenger side carpet. No fun! :cuss
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: South Carolina
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Re: I smell coolant (Blueyednd)
Mine is doing the same thing. I disconnected the hoses going to the heater core, and I still smell it, but my fogging of the windshield doesnt happen anymore after suing air conditioning/defrost. I think there is still coolant in the car, in the dash are where the core is, and after the car gets warm, it is heating it up.
Oh well, 10 years old, maybe a new heater core is in order? How long will it take to replace?
Oh well, 10 years old, maybe a new heater core is in order? How long will it take to replace?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,775
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From: Birmingham AL
Re: I smell coolant (lani's 93)
Thanks everyone. I'll check out the freeze plugs, wp weep hole and the t-stat bolts. The car doesn't seem to leak a drop, but who knows. If I do replace the core, I'm also going to toss the breadbox for a flat panel. Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 131
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From: Camarillo CA
Re: I smell coolant (Siveck)
Do the pressure test. It's the only way to know for sure. Napa sells a nice tester for about $70. I know it seems like a lot but considering what it takes to ge to PN 0000000001, it is worth it IMO.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: South Carolina
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Re: I smell coolant (sunrise.cm)
After bypassing the hoses to the heater core, one thing I did notice was my hoses were stiffer, as if there was no pressure loss anywhere. I can squeeze my radiator hose after driving, and it is stiffer. This is basically a cheape pressure test, but it eliminated my heater core from before where the hoses were soft, as if they had no pressure in there.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: St Petersburg FL
Re: I smell coolant (Siveck)
Last time I changed the coolant, I too had phantom puddles at various times. Turns out it was leaking intermittantley fr. the plug on the bottom left of the radiator, which was tight, but not tight enough to let some a-freeze slip out over time, :smash: :confused: :banghead:
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Re: I smell coolant (jimswhite92)
How did you diagnose the problem. I'm having the same problem now. I smell coolant when I stop. Constantly having to top it off. I can't find anything leaking.
Thx ... Jim
Thx ... Jim
I also had the intake manifold gasket go out.. Then I coud see coolant puddling on the manifold and running down the front of the block
Jack
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
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From: Sun City West Az
Re: I smell coolant (jackdaroofer)
As mentioned before, get it pressure tested! Will cost you from $0- 10 to have it done at your friendly full service gas station. That should provide the definitive answer instead of throwing parts and time at it...IMHO.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Spring Branch, Texas
Re: I smell coolant (ittlfly)
I smelled coolant and would occassionally see a puff of steam from under the hood (passenger side). I finally found a small hose that went from the heater intakes to the back of the intake manifold. The hose had a small split. That fixed my problem. YMMV
Good luck :seeya
Good luck :seeya
