For the last couple of summers, my cars smells of hot antifreeze after driving it, and once it cools down no smell. The service shop says that everything is fine. The car does not run hot at all. Any suggestions??

 

There is a leak , cars don't smell like antifreeze for no reason

 

sounds like a coolant tank crack

 

They replaced the coolant cap last year. We have looked underneath the chassis and the engine bay, also looking for any signal of wetness. None found.

 

If the cap was replaced then check the tank next. als, depending on the age of the car it could be a hose/clamp or the water pump starting to leak.

 

For the last two years my work car does the same thing. I took it to the shop twice, both times they say nothing is wrong with it. I know there is coolant weeping out somewhere.

 

My money's on the coolant tank. It is a DIY if you decide to do it.

 

Funny I have a similar problem on my 99 C2. I replaced the coolant tank but still had a slight smell after driving the car. The car doesn't run hot or seem to have any leaks. So I have been just leaving it be?

 

I have the same issue. I don't think you have a problem mine has been this way forever and have had no issues.

 

Having just taken out my engine and disassembled and flushed out most of the cooling system I can teel you that there are so many little pieces of hose, connectors etc. it is amazing. And as the cars get olders any one of the hoses and connections could leak a little. alot of the connections are in areas you can hardly see or get at without alot of shield removal and other disassembly. Hard to say exactly where the smell could be coming from. If your are not loosing any noticeable amount of coolant you may just have to live with it.

 

Insert some UV Dye made for coolants.
Run the engine for a while and then inspect for the leak using a Black Light.
The leak will pop right out since the UV dye makes the coolant glow under black light.
It's the best way to find those little annoying leaks.

 

That's a good idea, thanks.