RPGR90s

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

lucky131969

Sure. Radiator, hoses, thermostat housing/water pump, engine block, heater core/connections.

Since you removed the tank, make sure you burp the system.

G_Loc

Is the smell present inside the car or outside?

redzg

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.

Red86Cfour

Are you having to add coolant? If you smell it inside I'd say heater core. Outside, cracked radiator tank. My c6 radiator lasted about 80K, and water pump a few thou after that.

30rpm

Old hoses is my bet

RPGR90s

It is only present outside the car.

RPGR90s

I'm not having to add coolant.

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.

mmartinez

I had the same thing going on many years back, replaced the coolant tank pressure cap which resolved the problem.

RPGR90s

Coolant tank cap. Never thought of that. I'll go that route first.

Thanks very much!

Smoken1

It should say 18psi on it

VERYSOON

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

redzg

Good point! Changing from 14 to 18 really helped point out that my tank was cracked.