Odd smell once warmed up
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Joined: Apr 2009
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Odd smell once warmed up
I have an 02 vert, auto w/ 80k and stock. For a while now i have been noticing a smell that comes into the car once the car is warmed up close to the optimal operating temps. About the same time i noticed that my temps started to get warmer, they warmed up to 230 and 240 degrees. I changed my coolant and this helped with the temps a little bit but no change on the smell. I think it smells like the coolant system but am not sure. Its winter and its put away so its perfect time for repairs. Any ideas?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 84
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I have an 02 vert, auto w/ 80k and stock. For a while now i have been noticing a smell that comes into the car once the car is warmed up close to the optimal operating temps. About the same time i noticed that my temps started to get warmer, they warmed up to 230 and 240 degrees. I changed my coolant and this helped with the temps a little bit but no change on the smell. I think it smells like the coolant system but am not sure. Its winter and its put away so its perfect time for repairs. Any ideas?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,471
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
I have an 02 vert, auto w/ 80k and stock. For a while now i have been noticing a smell that comes into the car once the car is warmed up close to the optimal operating temps. About the same time i noticed that my temps started to get warmer, they warmed up to 230 and 240 degrees. I changed my coolant and this helped with the temps a little bit but no change on the smell. I think it smells like the coolant system but am not sure. Its winter and its put away so its perfect time for repairs. Any ideas?
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Joined: Apr 2009
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Ok, those i can do, any ideas as to how difficult it is to replace the hoses? i was already planning on taking the radiator completely out and cleaning it thoroughly. Will it be mostly taken apart by doing this?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,471
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From: Dyer, IN
Don't change anything, or pull anything apart, until you've done a pressure test. Find the leak first....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
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From: Longview Texas
If you can smell coolant, you must have a leak somewhere.
Have you checked the weep hole on the water pump?
Around the coolant reservoir closely?
Normally, if you can smell it in the car, it is likely the heater core.
Have you noticed any film collecting on the inside of the windshield? Once coolant heats up, you can detect the odor from a very small leak. I have smelled coolant from the heater core long before any signs of liquid appeared.
Have you checked the weep hole on the water pump?
Around the coolant reservoir closely?
Normally, if you can smell it in the car, it is likely the heater core.
Have you noticed any film collecting on the inside of the windshield? Once coolant heats up, you can detect the odor from a very small leak. I have smelled coolant from the heater core long before any signs of liquid appeared.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Dec 25, 2009 at 12:15 AM.
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