Coolant odor
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 544
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From: southern rural MI
Coolant odor
2000 Convertible with 70k. I will intermittently have a faint coolant odor after returning from a drive, car in the garage.
I disconnected the tank to inspect underneath and I don't see any weeping, leaks, etc. In fact, the tank looks almost like new. I also don't see any drips on the floor or coolant weepage anywhere on the engine.
Am I missing an obvious area to look at?
Thanks very much,
RPGR90s
I disconnected the tank to inspect underneath and I don't see any weeping, leaks, etc. In fact, the tank looks almost like new. I also don't see any drips on the floor or coolant weepage anywhere on the engine.
Am I missing an obvious area to look at?
Thanks very much,
RPGR90s
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,360
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From: Dyer, IN
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,762
Likes: 937
From: Orlando Florida
Original radiator? They are noted for have issues with the driver's side tank cracking near the hose connection. Difficult to see, as the tank and hose connection are covered by the upper radiator shroud, but if yours has cracked like mine a good visual check of the area after a good run will show evidence of coolant, either wet or evaporated dry.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 544
Likes: 383
From: southern rural MI
I think I'll put a fresh piece of cardboard on the floor. Maybe my old one is mixed with other oils, etc. and I'm not seeing any leakage.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2018
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From: southern rural MI
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 918
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From: TX
RPGT
I had the same issue a few years ago. I could only smell the coolant when I would get out of the car to open my gate. Took a while, but found the culprit. It was the gasket (actually it's an O ring) on the thermostat housing!!
Check that !!!
VERYSOON
I had the same issue a few years ago. I could only smell the coolant when I would get out of the car to open my gate. Took a while, but found the culprit. It was the gasket (actually it's an O ring) on the thermostat housing!!
Check that !!!
VERYSOON
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 544
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From: southern rural MI
Follow up:
I think what I was smelling was power steering fluid. My car has the optional power steering cooler. I bought a new thermostat housing o-ring and lifted the front of the car to empty the radiator fluid.
Pulled the thermostat and the original o-ring looked fine but replaced it anyway. While underneath the car, I noticed the two rubber power steering fluid lines that run to the cooler were leaking. There was enough fluid to coat the front subframe.
Cleaned all that up, replaced the lines and have taken the car out twice with no noticeable odors of any kind.
Thanks for the help, but I think it was PS fluid all along.
RPGR90s
I think what I was smelling was power steering fluid. My car has the optional power steering cooler. I bought a new thermostat housing o-ring and lifted the front of the car to empty the radiator fluid.
Pulled the thermostat and the original o-ring looked fine but replaced it anyway. While underneath the car, I noticed the two rubber power steering fluid lines that run to the cooler were leaking. There was enough fluid to coat the front subframe.
Cleaned all that up, replaced the lines and have taken the car out twice with no noticeable odors of any kind.
Thanks for the help, but I think it was PS fluid all along.
RPGR90s
