Smell C5 1999
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Smell C5 1999
I have a smell coming from engine area, it started a year ago, on 1999 C5 with 69,000 miles.
Can not determine if it's exhaust smell, antifreeze,or oil smell.
No sign of leaks/drips on garage floor, the PCV HAS BEEN CHANGED twice, oil &filter every5000 .
It takes about 10 minutes of driving for smell to start, after a 50 mile run, the smell stays in garage for 2 days before it disipates.
I am at the point to replace rad hoses, get a pressure test, heater hoses,new anti freeze, another new PCV,
Can an alternator cause smell.?
ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRIECATED
GPASC5
Can not determine if it's exhaust smell, antifreeze,or oil smell.
No sign of leaks/drips on garage floor, the PCV HAS BEEN CHANGED twice, oil &filter every5000 .
It takes about 10 minutes of driving for smell to start, after a 50 mile run, the smell stays in garage for 2 days before it disipates.
I am at the point to replace rad hoses, get a pressure test, heater hoses,new anti freeze, another new PCV,
Can an alternator cause smell.?
ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRIECATED
GPASC5
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,425
Likes: 1,146
From: Dyer, IN
I have a smell coming from engine area, it started a year ago, on 1999 C5 with 69,000 miles.
Can not determine if it's exhaust smell, antifreeze,or oil smell.
No sign of leaks/drips on garage floor, the PCV HAS BEEN CHANGED twice, oil &filter every5000 .
It takes about 10 minutes of driving for smell to start, after a 50 mile run, the smell stays in garage for 2 days before it disipates.
I am at the point to replace rad hoses, get a pressure test, heater hoses,new anti freeze, another new PCV,
Can an alternator cause smell.?
ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRIECATED
GPASC5
Can not determine if it's exhaust smell, antifreeze,or oil smell.
No sign of leaks/drips on garage floor, the PCV HAS BEEN CHANGED twice, oil &filter every5000 .
It takes about 10 minutes of driving for smell to start, after a 50 mile run, the smell stays in garage for 2 days before it disipates.
I am at the point to replace rad hoses, get a pressure test, heater hoses,new anti freeze, another new PCV,
Can an alternator cause smell.?
ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE APPRIECATED
GPASC5
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 228
Likes: 2
From: California
Was going to say the same thing. Exhaust, oil, and anti-freeze all have their own distinct smell. Maybe its just a piece of plastic or something touching or near exhaust. Have someone else smell it. Haha sounds funny!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 5
From: Long Island NY
My guess would be road debris caught on some exhaust component. That would explain the smell after warm up and in the garage after a long trip. Have your wife or girlfriend smell it, they usually have a better sense of smell than us. Then again she may look at you like your crazy, anyway good luck with the diagnosis and let us know what it was. 
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