Coolant smell
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Coolant smell
I have a 2017 stingray. After driving moderately I have noticed a coolant smell. After noticing I drove a second time and watched the coolant guage and it did not get excessively high. Is this normal or something to get service for.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 11,139
Likes: 1,910
From: Missouri City, TX
If you can smell it, it might be a leak but not enough level lost to cause a temperature issue yet. If a leak, most likely at a hose or at the water pump. Water pump seals can leak initially so slow it might be a long time before you can see a liquid puddle on the floor. If no sight of a liquid leak, check the expansion tank level every few hundred miles for any loss of level there.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Coolant
Yes checked level and good there. I have service appointment Monday and most likely will do flush and have all hoses checked. Based on Carfax it does not appear system has been flushed. Miles are low 27k but car is 10 years old.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 355
From: Iowa
Coolant flush should have been done 5 years ago. Hopefully the smell is nothing major.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,002
Likes: 2,679
How bad is the smell? Like a faint whiff? Or a stench? I've noticed on some really hot days I occasionally would get a faint whiff of coolant smell. It seems to have gone away when I replaced my thermostat. Perhaps its a sign of a thermostat going? If it's particularly strong I'd be looking for a leak though.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 11,139
Likes: 1,910
From: Missouri City, TX
