A couple of weeks ago, a hose split shooting coolant all over the motor. I lightly hosed everything off, replaced the hoses, flushed and refilled the coolant.

Since the repair, I constantly smell coolant once the engine is warm. Ive pressure tested the system and the level isnt dropping so I assume that its the dried coolant that went everywhere that smells.

Any suggestions on how to get rid of the smell? Ive never been a fan of engine cleaning so Id like a low water option, if possible. I was thinking about spraying simple green on everything, but again, the thought of water being sprayed on all the electrical items just bothers me.

Also, while Im looking for advise, how do I know if I burped the system correctly and that their are no air pockets anywhere that could create hot spots?

Thanks

Scott

 

Often the coolant smell comes from tank seepage on the radiators and is blown rearward by the fans. If you think it's from residual coolant from the motor, use the wand from a car wash with the engine cleaner and low pressure spray. Spray mainly from under the car and around the trans area as well. Don't spray directly into and around wire connectors, but you should be fine. Don't use any cleaner products as some can be corrosive and cause future damage. Coolant should wash off fine with just water.

I'm not sure how to bleed air from the tanks as they are high and remotely located from the fill port.

 

My '96 Mustang GT blew its intake manifold and spewed hot coolant all over the engine and engine compartment. A thorough rinse with water from the garden hose rinsed away the coolant and there was no smell.

The smell is probably from the coolant the fitting spewed about. You have to rinse the engine and engine compartment to remove the coolant. Just use water lots of it. Afterwards drive the car around long enough the engine is thoroughly up to temperature and for a while to dry the engine and the engine compartment.

Before you do this though you might want to get the car in the air and check the water pump for any leak sign. I smelled anti-freeze from my Turbo some months back and it proved to be from a leaking water pump. There was a large blob of dried anti-freeze under the pump between the pump housing and the pulley.

(Another time with my Boxster I smelled the occasional whiff of anti-freeze and the coolant cap was leaking.)

 

If you have bubbles in the system, car overheats. I would lift the cat up and maybe use carb cleaner and wipe it off. Also check for leaks if everything checks out good. You have to live with it for a while, and smell will evaporate

 

i have a hairline crack at the top ( fortunately ) of my expansion tank. have brand new replacement sitting here ready to deal with the 3 hour job lol..

reason i haven't changed it is i only have a cpl drips ( which i can see AND smell ) when i am parked engine hot on an incline that tips the coolant nearer the crack in the tank! this is not mission critical since i park mostly on flat surfaces. but if i EVER smelled coolant and wasn't sure where it was emanating from? and it wasn't a pinhole rad leak? all bets and car stays OFF until i find it. don't mess with coolant leaks. the tanks as you know get old and cracked, kinda like many of us! lol