Random coolant smell ???
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,492
Likes: 6
From: Back in the Burg
Random coolant smell ??? So lately every time I start my car to let it warm up I have a coolant smell in the car. It is only when its sitting in idle... When I'm driving no smell. The coolant level has not moved, and there is nothing leaking that I can see, and no white smoke in the rear view mirror. It does seem to be worse when the heat is on. The carpet under the pass side glove box is dry too. I'm am doing a bunch of work to the car this winter and wanted some ideas before I start to tare down half the moter. The original plan was just to retorque/check the head studs but I will lift the heads if I have to. So ideas on things to check while everything is in working order? Also I don't have any over heating issues, so I'm at a loss??? Thanks Guys!
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,492
Likes: 6
From: Back in the Burg
Nothing on the carpet, its dry as a bone. Also my A/C is gone so thats never running ^^^ as well. How do I check the the core? Remove glove box? I have yet to take the interior apart, these bolts/screws are the last ones left that only GM has touched lol? Thanks for the responses guys 
Last edited by conan; Nov 20, 2009 at 04:05 PM.
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when mine went in my camaro, it started with a smell but everything was dry. and then one bay my buddy started freakin out cause his white shoes had green spots on them the heater core lasted a good 3 months b4 i actually went from the time it started smelling
the heater core lasted a good 3 months b4 i actually went from the time it started smelling Nothing on the carpet, its dry as a bone. Also my A/C is gone so thats never running ^^^ as well. How do I check the the core? Remove glove box? I have yet to take the interior apart, these bolts/screws are the last ones left that only GM has touched lol? Thanks for the responses guys
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,492
Likes: 6
From: Back in the Burg
Thanks man, did you replace your yourself? Is there alot of the interior that have to come apart?
Thanks, I'll give it a test next week when I have off for thanksgiving.
Anyone know what causes the core to go bad? My car has 34,xxx miles on it and I have torn something apart several times that required the radiator and coolant to come out of the car. So its had about 5-6 coolant changes in its 34,xxx mile life. Also it has been garage kept all its life.
Thanks again guys
http://www.fbody.com/tech/details.cgi?id=42 Haven't had this problem yet but this may help you out. BTW they just randomly go bad. I have an aftermarket radiator that recommends a 22lb radiator cap but I won't run it cause the HC is not designed for that pressure....I run a stock 16lb'er......
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From: rosemount,mn/windsor locks,ct
i had a random coolant smell every once and a while,it ended up being my water pump gaskets were weeping. you might want to check those. also a pressure test wouldnt hurt either and would be quicker to diag the problem.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,492
Likes: 6
From: Back in the Burg
http://www.fbody.com/tech/details.cgi?id=42 Haven't had this problem yet but this may help you out. BTW they just randomly go bad. I have an aftermarket radiator that recommends a 22lb radiator cap but I won't run it cause the HC is not designed for that pressure....I run a stock 16lb'er......
Sounds easy enough.
What is electrolysis? Why would it smell like coolant?
In simple terms it is excessive voltage in the coolant that causes the heater core to deteriorate. Electrolysis can and will cause repeated heater core failures. I'm not telling you that's whats going on with your car but, low miles and 5 or 6 coolant changes. You shouldn't have heater core problems. You can check for voltage in the coolant by using a DMM. Take the cap off the radiator put the positive (red)lead in the coolant and ground the negative (black) lead to the battery. Check for AC and DC voltage. To check for AC voltage the car must be running. Electrolysis is possible with .03 volts or higher.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,492
Likes: 6
From: Back in the Burg
In simple terms it is excessive voltage in the coolant that causes the heater core to deteriorate. Electrolysis can and will cause repeated heater core failures. I'm not telling you that's whats going on with your car but, low miles and 5 or 6 coolant changes. You shouldn't have heater core problems. You can check for voltage in the coolant by using a DMM. Take the cap off the radiator put the positive (red)lead in the coolant and ground the negative (black) lead to the battery. Check for AC and DC voltage. To check for AC voltage the car must be running. Electrolysis is possible with .03 volts or higher.
Thanks man, we'll give it a try and see whats up. 