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YOUR RESEARCHHow long does coolant smell last?
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Suggestion
I was checking the radiators when I noticed the stuff was coming from the rear of the car.
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Suggestion
When I took my car to my local indy, 1st thing he did was conduct a visual scan (tank, cap, WP, hoses/lines, etc.) and then recommend a pressure test.
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Suggestion
I recommend the same option to very single question about coolant...smell, loss/drip, smoke, dash light, etc.
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Suggestion
The proper way to test for coolant leak is to use a pressure tester (Stant) to pressurize the system from the reservoir on a cold engine at about 18 PSI for about 20min and then trace for coolant leak/drops on the floor.
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Quick question. Smelled coolant. Looked at tank and there was coolant on the top of the tank in the crevices. Looked at cap and it was the original. I already purchased the upgraded one but never got around to putting it on. Waited a couple hours and removed the cap. Still under pressure and coolant sprayed everywhere. Changed cap. A week later and 300 miles and still smell coolant
You may have a small leak developed on the tank itself where coolant dropped onto the hot muffler, gets burned off and disappear. Try yo look around the top of the muffler and bottom of tank (use inspection mirror) for dried coolant stain.
The proper way to test for coolant leak is to use a pressure tester (Stant) to pressurize the system from the reservoir on a cold engine at about 18 PSI for about 20min and then trace for coolant leak/drops on the floor.
Your reply should be made a STICKY soonest. I recommend the same option to very single question about coolant...smell, loss/drip, smoke, dash light, etc.
When I took my car to my local indy, 1st thing he did was conduct a visual scan (tank, cap, WP, hoses/lines, etc.) and then recommend a pressure test. Located a crack in the backside of the tank in no time (would have been impossible to see with the naked eye due to its location).....no guessing/hunting/conjecture.
If you do not thoroughly rinse the coolant off the engine the smell can linger for a long time.
There may be a leak, though.
You can have the system pressure tested.
Or you can do this yourself.
Be sure the cold coolant level is ok.
Be sure the cap is clean and where it screws on clean and properly installed.
Drive the car around town with the A/C off until the engine is up to temperature and has been some time.
Back at home raise RPMs to say 1K to 1500. Hold until your or a helper detects the radiator fans coming on.
Shut off the engine.
Let the car sit. The heat load of the hot engine will raise the coolant temperature and pressure. If there is a leak you'll likely spot it from the coolant dripping (or in the case of my Boxster when I did this) gushing out of a split in the coolant tank or leaking from some other location.
Ideally you would want the car in the air so the water pump area can be carefully inspected. But you can check this cold as if the water pump is leaking the chances are high there is unambiguous sign of the leaking. Anti-freeze stain. Even (as was the case of my Turbo's water pump) a build up of green anti-freeze residue between the pump housing and the pulley.
Give the radiator ducts a good sniff test for any anti-freeze odor.
The odds are very high if there is a leak this test will turn it up.
Yup, that's SOP and absolutely no mystery or guessing. The Stant tester can also be used to test the coolant cap. I found my leak in 10min and I could use my hand to feel the bottom of the tank (the coolant was at room temp) where it's leaking and then I used an inspection mirror to see the coolant dropping but I still couldn't see the actual crack.
Actually even after I removed the coolant tank and placed it upside down, I still can't see the crack. To be 100% sure, I melted all the reservoir outlets shut, then use the tester to pressurize it. Sure enough I could hear a faint hissing sound from the leak but still couldn't see it. Then I sprayed soapy water on it then I finally saw bubbling. The crack is at one of the natural crevices on the reservoir bottom moulding.
My point is if you only rely on visual, you will most likely not find anything. Don't expect to see a 2 inch gash with coolant gushing out
Rare I guess but that was what happened when I did this "test" on my Boxster. As the car sat after I shut off the engine when the fans started running I spotted some coolant running out from under the front of the car. I was checking the radiators when I noticed the stuff was coming from the rear of the car. Walked away from the car to view the car from the side from a distance to spot where the leak was and spotted a drip ahead of the rear wheel. As I was walking up to the car the thing let go and gushed hot coolant out like crazy.
I waited until the next day and then added distilled water to bring the level up and drove the car to the dealer, about 2 miles away. Not one drop leaked. The split was water tight. Only when the engine was hot long along with of course the coolant and under pressure did the thing leak, and I had to work to get the engine and coolant really hot.
The split was at the seam of the tank at the bottom of the tank.
This is how I melted shut all the openings to bench test the tank itself.
Just light up the nipple with a propane torch and the plastic will melt and burn slowly like a candle! Then after a few seconds or so, use pliers to crimp down on it. Voila! you have sealed tank (other than the leaking spots of course)
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