Home page
SPONSOR AD

Support our Vendors!  |  Advertise Here

Topic: Anti freeze odor

in Forum: C4 Cooling and Heating Systems


Already a Member?
Login
Not yet a Member?
Register for Free!

Back to top of thread

Our Sponsors help support C4VR
Anti freeze odor (2/12)
 3/18/11 1:17pm
Adams' Apple
Standard Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine. 1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.


Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2230

My bet is the heater core IS leaking, but not enough to drip out of the plenum. Have you pulled the carpet back on the pass side to look under it?
The only time I've ever been able to actually smell coolant inside the cabin was either the car had a large leak that was obvious from under the hood, or the heater core was leaking. It's also possible that the hoses going TO the core are leaking slightly, and coolant is running down the tubes into the cabin.
I feel for ya if it IS the heater core...not a job I ever want to do....again...


______________

Joel Adams  
My Link

 
   
(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Anti freeze odor (3/12)
 3/18/11 2:59pm
proracr
Standard Member
Send Private Message


Vette(s):
1971 White roadster, 1972 Red coupe, 1971 White coupe, (2) 1977 Red coupes, 1997 Black coupe, 1998 Black coupe, 1994 Polo Green roadster


Joined: 2/3/2011
Posts: 33

Why do auto manufacturers seem to build their cars around the heater core?  Seems like half the car must be disassembled to get at them and if you own a car long enough, it WILL leak.  Ouch

______________
Anti freeze odor (4/12)
 3/18/11 6:53pm
eddie20890
Standard Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

lanoka harbor, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1990 L-98 white/ red/black leather interior targa top auto 1975 L48 blue/black leather interior t tops auto


Joined: 3/22/2009
Posts: 1363

ouch!!!...i hate those problems that you think is an easy fix and it turns out not to be. poolman if you do yours, i'll let you do mine if it ever starts leakingBig smile.

______________


















the dynamic duo


c3vr life member #97
Anti freeze odor (5/12)
 3/23/11 9:14pm
JBZ51
Standard Member
Send Private Message

Pottstown, PA - USA

Vette(s):
84 L83 Z51 4+3 Black with Graphite Leather


Joined: 12/21/2009
Posts: 53

I had a similar smell on my '84. Believe it or not I had a very small leak at the back of the intake manifold. I'm guessing the smell was being pulled in from the fresh air intake in the cowl. Double check the back of the intake cause I believe this was a common problem on '84s. Mine had right around 87,500 miles when I fixed it.
Anti freeze odor (6/12)
 3/23/11 10:42pm
Adams' Apple
Standard Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine. 1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.


Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2230

Was it visible? I never thought of that, but I have seen leaks there before, but you can usually see them. Then again, on a Crossfire(or ANY C4, for that matter), it's kinda hard to see anything at the rear of the engine!
Good suggestion!


______________

Joel Adams  
My Link

 
   
(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Anti freeze odor (7/12)
 3/24/11 11:17am
JBZ51
Standard Member
Send Private Message

Pottstown, PA - USA

Vette(s):
84 L83 Z51 4+3 Black with Graphite Leather


Joined: 12/21/2009
Posts: 53

At first, there was a small discoloration at the back right corner of the intake. The Vette was also using coolant. The coolant consumption got progressively worse, and then I noticed the leak at the back of the intake. When I took the intake off, the back passenger side gasket was almost gone. After I cleaned everything and installed new gaskets, the coolant consumption stopped, and the discoloration did not come back. FYI, there was carbon buildup on my intake, so make sure you clean that out if / when you do intake gaskets.
Anti freeze odor (8/12)
 3/30/11 12:27pm
Dhotroddave3
Former Member

Send Private Message

MARION, IN - USA

Vette(s):
1991 BLUESTEEL CORVETTE COUPE W/36000 MI


Joined: 3/8/2011
Posts: 1

HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON MY 91 AND ITS GOT 36000 MI, IT WAS THE INTAKE GASKET, NEVER SAW ANYTHING JUST THE SMELL, HOPE THAT HELPS
Anti freeze odor (9/12)
 3/30/11 5:34pm
pski88
Former Member

Send Private Message

Buffalo, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1988 coupe all original 21,000 miles


Joined: 6/25/2010
Posts: 125

any chance you maybe missed a very small "puddle" in betwee nthe injector tops on the intake..I've heard of that being a "common" collection place when gasket is bad.....
 
GOOD LUCK!
 
Jeff


______________
....Jeff
Anti freeze odor (10/12)
 4/11/11 3:51pm
poolman
Standard Member
Send Private Message

toms river, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1984 coupe Z51 Red


Joined: 12/6/2009
Posts: 49

guys, thanks for all your ideas, but it was a smal leak in back of the intake manifold.  Thank you JBZ51 for that hint.  All is well now.  Just in time for spring.  Eddie, btw, my club Surf Corvette Club is hosting a show May 15th at Joey Harrisons in Ortley Beach to benefit the Foodbank.  I have details if you or any others are interested.  Frank
Re: Anti freeze odor (11/12)
 6/19/12 8:52am
jonneyone
Standard Member
Send Private Message

galion, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1984 base coupe 17,000 miles all original. very low production number.red on red 3853. pro num.


Joined: 5/31/2012
Posts: 413

do you have an pressure tester for the rad.....get on youll find your smell fast however   does your window fog up sometimes ?????? if it does its your heater core.    however you should pressure test you cooling system anyways trust me it's the only way to find your antifreeze smeel. instead of guessing what it could be. your loacol napa should have one or auto zone will rent you one .  good luck

______________

 Big smile

Re: Anti freeze odor (12/12)
 6/25/12 10:59am
besbol
Standard Member
Send Private Message

Mineral, VA - USA

Vette(s):
1984 4+3 manual 2-tone Bronze Z51 2003 Electron Blue Convertible


Joined: 10/29/2009
Posts: 28

I can vouch for the intake manifold problem. My 84 had about 61k on it when the water pump expired. Since I have way too little tiem to do much on the Vette, I had my mechanic inspect for more then the obvious. Sure enough, there was a drop or 2 of coolant around the intake. Since he was replacing the water pump, I saved some labor costs by having the intact done too.

______________
Our Sponsors help support C4VR