I have a 2002 Z06 with 41k miles, I purchased the car at Carmax with 35k on the clock about a year ago. I was driving it the other day and did a launch and burnout to the top of 2nd gear and after that I started smelling clutch. Okay no big deal it was slipping maybe it's going out. Bound to happen at some point...

But ever since that time I've smelled a coolant smell outside of the car. I'm not sure what it is, but I checked the coolant level and it was about a jug low. So I filled it up, this was yesterday.

I'm not sure if I'm just being paranoid but the car is smelling like coolant and I also noticed there is (seems excessive to me but I've never really paid attention) at lot of moisture coming out of the exhaust.

Could this mean an exhaust side head gasket failure? I haven't checked the oil yet but I will. I got a carmax warranty also so I want to make sure I am following all the service I'm supposed to (only put 6k on the car so I doubt there are any problems). Does anyone also have a link to the recommended service intervals? I want to make sure they don't try to say it's neglect because it's not.

I've raced the car on the street and the track quite a bit so it's not just a rare thing. I've made many passes in the car. I'm just trying to figure this out. It might be me just being paranoid though.... Ideas?

 

Two checks you can make. First, have the coolant sniffed. There is a tool that most shops will have that will pick up combustion byproducts in the coolant if they are there. Second, do an oil change and send it in for an analysis assuming there are no telltale signs like spot on the ground or other leaks.

 

About getting the coolant sniffed. What type of shop would I take it do? Just most mechanics will have this? I've seen several places to send the oil, any recomendation? Thanks for the help..

I don't see how the head can blow with only 41k, It's never overheated or even got hot.

 

Most any shop/mechanic should have a coolant tester, we/I have several at our dealership. Another test would be to do a cylinder leak down test and compare, also compare spark plugs if coolant is getting in a cylinder one plug will be steam cleaned.

Moisture in the exhaust is normal, if you are burning coolant there should be a little white smoke and it should have a sweet coolant smell, possibly the smell you are describing.

Good luck on finding your problem.

 

I'm just not sure how much moisture is normal. there is no smoke so I doubt that's it. I just got scared. I'll look to see if coolant is leaking from somewhere. Is there a normal location where the leaking occurs?