coolant scent???
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Lake Mary Florida
coolant scent???
Any one have any ideas why I might be getting a strong scent of coolant through the AC system while driving? It's not all the time but every once in a while and it comes and goes.
I have looked at all the hoses, even felt around the passenger foot area for a heater core leak. Nothing is out of the ordinary. Water pump and all the hoses are within a year or two old.
I can't seem to figure out what it may be. I know that AC brings in outside air near the wipers, you can really tell that if you use that new scented winshield wash fluid. But I can't find anything that is exposing coolant to the air in that area.
Ideas comments?
I have looked at all the hoses, even felt around the passenger foot area for a heater core leak. Nothing is out of the ordinary. Water pump and all the hoses are within a year or two old.
I can't seem to figure out what it may be. I know that AC brings in outside air near the wipers, you can really tell that if you use that new scented winshield wash fluid. But I can't find anything that is exposing coolant to the air in that area.
Ideas comments?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: NOVA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07
Last time I had a situation like that. It was a pin hole in the radiator hose. Maybe it's time to pressure test the system and look around?
Just a thought, good luck.
Chris
Just a thought, good luck.
Chris
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Lake Mary Florida
Curious, with a pin hole leak was there any fluid showing up anywhere? I have looked and sniffed and looked some more and I'm drawing a blank. I'm sure if it is something, it will show its ugly head at the most inappropriate time. Nature of things.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,281
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From: NOVA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by 93JetJocky
Curious, with a pin hole leak was there any fluid showing up anywhere? I have looked and sniffed and looked some more and I'm drawing a blank. I'm sure if it is something, it will show its ugly head at the most inappropriate time. Nature of things.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: All great change begins at the dinner table Ronald Reagan
You said a strong scent - are you getting a film on the inside of your windshield that's difficult to wipe off? That's how I knew it was the heater core. The leak on the floor showed up later.
Bypass the heater core with heater hoses under the hood & see if the scent goes away, that'll isolate the problem to the heater core.
With your AC on, usually the outside air is closed off to maximize cooling; so outside air may not be vented into the passenger compartment.
Bypass the heater core with heater hoses under the hood & see if the scent goes away, that'll isolate the problem to the heater core.
With your AC on, usually the outside air is closed off to maximize cooling; so outside air may not be vented into the passenger compartment.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Lake Mary Florida
Yeah considering the age of the vehicle I'm suspicious of the heater core too. It just hasn't shown its ugly head yet.
On the AC thing, if its set to recirculation mode then it cuts off outside air. If your ever behind a diesel and can't stand the smell, switch to max recirc and it will stop the fresh air coming it, it also helps maximize cooling but reciculating cooler air than outside ambient air.
Normal auto mode will bring in outside air and mix with cool air. Example as above drive behind a diesel smoking with it on Auto.
Yesterday crusing back from the coast I noticed it a lot more than I have. But it only comes then eventually goes away. There absolutely no scent of coolant around the engine area. Even when its hot and transferring coolant to the expansion tank its stays fairly well sealed.
You could sniff the air coming out the vent and detect the strong scent. But stop and taking a look at the engine area, nope no scent. Just weird. Thanks everyone.
On the AC thing, if its set to recirculation mode then it cuts off outside air. If your ever behind a diesel and can't stand the smell, switch to max recirc and it will stop the fresh air coming it, it also helps maximize cooling but reciculating cooler air than outside ambient air.
Normal auto mode will bring in outside air and mix with cool air. Example as above drive behind a diesel smoking with it on Auto.
Yesterday crusing back from the coast I noticed it a lot more than I have. But it only comes then eventually goes away. There absolutely no scent of coolant around the engine area. Even when its hot and transferring coolant to the expansion tank its stays fairly well sealed.
You could sniff the air coming out the vent and detect the strong scent. But stop and taking a look at the engine area, nope no scent. Just weird. Thanks everyone.
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It's a leak (albeit minor one) in progress for sure. Coolant smell indicates coolant leak. Simple as that.
Thread Starter
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From: Lake Mary Florida
Originally Posted by onedef92
It's a leak (albeit minor one) in progress for sure. Coolant smell indicates coolant leak. Simple as that.
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Originally Posted by 93JetJocky
Damn don't I know it. Just hasn't surfaced yet. It's like waiting for the volcano to blow you know its going to happen just when? It has my attention now for sure.
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From: All great change begins at the dinner table Ronald Reagan
If you have doubt about a leak, test the system with a radiator pressure tester. Some radiator shops will do it for free. That'll tell you for sure.
If you see a leak in the whole system, bypass the heater core as I described earlier, then do the test again. That will isolate the heater core.
They cost about $85 to $115 + $250 to $350 labor, if you don't want to do it yourself. I did it myself, first time (taking my time) about 8 hours in an '85.
If you see a leak in the whole system, bypass the heater core as I described earlier, then do the test again. That will isolate the heater core.
They cost about $85 to $115 + $250 to $350 labor, if you don't want to do it yourself. I did it myself, first time (taking my time) about 8 hours in an '85.