Jump to content

Coolant smell after lower intake repair?


DaveJ

Recommended Posts

I've been soaking up all of the information on this site and decided to register and post my odd question. I have a 97 Cutlass Supreme SL (3100) with 71K on it. I just had the lower intake manifold gasket, oil pump drive seal and all the gaskets in between replaced. However, I am still getting a strong coolant smell when I shut the car off. The strange thing is, when you open the hood, you can't locate the smell. I checked the repair last night when I got home, could smell coolant, but not from the engine, or so it would seem. BTW, after the repair, the annoying engine tick seems to be gone, just wish I could remove the antifreeze smell. I have read several postings regarding a heater core leak, I don't think it is that. I don't smell antifreeze inside the car, and don't see any leaks outside the vehicle. The only other issue I can think of is residual coolant on the block. I am waiting for the weather to improve so I can clean my engine. Any suggestions or info would be appreciated. BTW, this site is has been very helpful, I am glad I stumbled on it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It might be your water pump with a minor leaking and dries up quickly.

 

I would get those leak finder dye which you put in your coolant system and you need the accompanying google to find it since they are UV type dye.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would not dismiss a coolant smell from under the hood without a total inspection, but you may just have some coolant puddled in a crook somewhere from when they pulled the intake. Also check the two 5/8" black hoses that go to the throttle body. Those hoses may be old and they just hooked them back up without replacing them... 8)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When you remove the hoses under the throttle body, anitfreeze can spill on the exhaust crossover pipe. You could be smelling anitfreeze evaporating off of the crossover pipe, if it was not cleaned off. I would check the throttle body hoses, to see if there leaking. The clamps on the hoses have been known to weaken after time, this could also be the problem. Don't rule out the radiator hoses or the heater hoses as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

go to the parts store and see if they will loan you a coolant system pressure tester you can do it in the parking lot

 

if they won't loan it to you buy it use it and return it all with in 10 or 15 mins

this will rule out any thing leaking

 

good luck

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...