coolant smell

[allensteiner]

i had a hair size crack on the top of the radiator, when i revved the eng up to about 3k rpm or over the coolant would shoot out of it. so i temporarily patched it up with epoxy and it doesn't leak for now.

the prob i have is the coolant smell when the engine warms up. i can't really locate it though. sometimes i think it's from inside the car (busted heater core? the heater works fine) or somewhere under the hood. i even thought i might have a cracked block or a freezer plug that's leaking, but there's no coolant loss.

any suggestions? i did a pressure check of the system and it was fine.

[lightsout]

did you clean all the coolant off the radiator from when it would leak out the crack? that's the problem, i believe. rinse down the radiator well when it is COLD, and see if that helps.

[D-Maxima]

it could be a hose leaking? check for green coolant splashes around the engine bay and see if any is pooling up underneath a hose.

check for more cracks in radiator and in hoses.

id assume you've already done this though..maybe just rinse it down like lightsout suggests

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Sounds like you need to pressure test the radiator

If it was the heater core (pray its not) you might have wetcarpet in your car?

[allensteiner]

fortunately the carpet's dry and i did the pressure test - good. i mentioned that i'm not losing coolant and there's not even a spot under the car - warm or cold.

maybe replacing the radiator will help, i'll probably get new hoses too.

[lightsout]

i still say wash it down when it's COLD...its just got some residual dried coolant in the vents at the bottom of the radiator, on the fans, and probably around the front headers too.

rinse thoroughly when she's COLD(like first thing in the morning)

you can use an engine degreaser on the radiator core and bottom.you can use brake cleaner on the engine/headers if you like.you can also use the "electronic components" cleaner on the alternator too.

if you try this first and give it a few days, the smell should go away.

[allensteiner]

will give it a try. thx lightsout

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Ok the pressure on the radiator is ok. How about the radiator cap?Mine leaked Saturday and I replaced. Might also check the overflowtank and the line from it to and from the radiator. Mine has beenloose before.

[allensteiner]

i think i found the problem. looks like the epoxy i used is "soaking" up a little bit of coolant when it gets warm - softens up a little. even though it was rated to stay firm up to about 300F...i'm off to a junk yard for a radiator.

thanks all

[lightsout]

well...at least your engine bay is clean now,

[NutriaforBreakfast]

Better take that pressure tester with you