Smell of coolant

TechieEddy · 08-02-2009 11:51am #1

Hi,

In the last few days Ive noticed the smell of coolant in the car. Only for a few minutes then it goes away again.
The strange thing is that the coolant level hasn't changed. I've been checking it all the time as I drive a lot but it hasn't moved.
Also the car doesn't get as hot as it used too and the windscreen gets really dirty.
I was looking on the web and a lot of people say it might be the heater core.
I'm kinda hoping it's not as it will cost a fortune to replace.
Could it be anything else?
Thanks

rufio306 · 08-02-2009 1:14pm

if when you turn on the heater your windscreen fogs up, im afraid it is probably the heater matrix (core), absolute pig of a job on most cars, what car is it?

TechieEddy · 08-02-2009 1:18pm

Hi,

Its a 206. I was hoping you wouldn't say that.

If I turn on the heater it will clear the windscreen ok.
Will a garage be able to know what it is without having to replace anything
i.e the core?
Thanks.

alo1587 · 08-02-2009 1:49pm

By any chance do you get the smell just after you use the windscreen washers? You could be getting the smell of the windscreen additive in the water coming into the car..

TechieEddy · 08-02-2009 1:51pm

Hey,

Im prity sure it's coolant. And it only happens when I put on the heater.

JMSE · 08-02-2009 1:51pm

If I were you I would be looking for someone who does nixers on cars. Theres no need for the car to be left into a garage, all you need are hand tools and a lot of time. I've done two on my drive at home. Although now that I think of it the airbags are probably an issue I didnt really have. My first time doing it was on a '92, the 2nd was a '00 Matiz and I found out how to just disconnect the wiring to the airbag modules.

TechieEddy · 08-02-2009 1:55pm

Thanks JMSE.
That's what i'll do so.
If someone wants to recommend someone feel free to pm me.
Thanks for the help.

Avns1s · 08-02-2009 2:34pm

Well if the coolant level hasn't dropped anything then you won't be needing to replace the heater core.

Have you air-con? Sometimes the air con causes a smell when it is used for the first few minutes.

Just watch the coolant level closely and continue as normal for the moment.

TechieEddy · 08-02-2009 3:07pm

Thanks Avns1s,
Just checked the coolant tank and it looks like the last time I filled it (about a week ago) i filled it up way too much!!
That would explain it right?

Avns1s · 08-02-2009 6:34pm

Your coolant tank is more often known as the "expansion tank". When your engine is running this tank will fill up more than the max level.

If you have overfilled the tank, then you will have a spillage when the engine is hot. Hence the smell, in my opinion.

Make sure the coolant is at the right level when the engine is cold and see how you go.

TechieEddy · 08-02-2009 7:50pm

Hey again,
Ya that's what I did. I filled it to nearly the top.
What would be best / easiest way to get some back out?
Thanks

JMSE · 08-02-2009 8:44pm

Leave it to regulate itself so and just keep an eye on it. It should spit the excess out and when cold the level should drop to the max line. Maybe you could try and wash the spillage away to eliminate smells sooner.

TechieEddy · 08-02-2009 8:49pm

Will do. Thanks to all for the advice.

Avns1s · 08-02-2009 8:54pm

I'd try and get an old syringe or something like that to suck some of it out to get close to the Max mark. You could leave it to self regulate but coolant is not the best for the paintwork that it will probably be dripping on.

If you are leaving it to "self regulate" at least, wash off the spillage a couple of times over the next few weeks.

Smell of coolant

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