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Re: Radiator Smell Inside Car Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Fri, 8 Mar 2002 15:43:53
In Reply to: Radiator Smell Inside Car, Tim, Fri, 8 Mar 2002 10:04:31 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Any time you smell a fluid that's supposed to stay inside the engine, that would be a concern.
Heater core leaks start VERY small, and you can smell the coolant long before you see drips or any coolant loss. It's about ideal for smelling - squeeze a few molecules of a hot liquid (antifreeze)onto a large surface (heater core) and blow air over it straight up your nose.
I see two possiblities - Heater core or weeping radiator hose. Yes, heater cores do leak on 9000's. They start small and get worse. For minor heater core leaks, I use Bars Leaks. In reasonable amounts (follow the directions) it does not clog up radiators, destroy cooling systems, or cause impure thoughts in farm animals. Really. I've had a very minor heater core leak in my '92 9000 for about 4 years now that I control nicely with Bars Leaks. One small bottle every two years when I flush the coolant is just fine. And my cooling system is in great shape - no clogs.
Yes, using Bars Leaks isn't a permanent solution, but then again, neither is replacing the heater core - the new one will leak at some time in the future. If Bars Leaks controls a heater core problem for a while, I say that's good. Yes, in an ideal world I'd swap out the core the second it showed a problem, but I know the failure mode is slow and not catastrophic. If I can bide time, I will. Maybe next month the blower motor will die, and I'll do the heater core then. Or next week some goat roper in an SUV broadsides me in an intersection - new heater core or Bars Leaks, neither will matter much to the engine. When it comes to cars, don't plan TOO far ahead.
On a brighter note, do the obvious and make sure all your hose clamps are tight. I usually smell engine compartment leaks when I come to a stop - the air from the engine compartment wafts up and is drawn in by the cabin air intake. Just grab a nutdriver and tighten all the clamps - it can't hurt. Also inspect for signs of small leaks - a dried white or green powder, usually near the end of a hose. Very small leaks don't drip on the ground - they weep out and evaporate before they drip.
Good luck!
posted by 140.157....
, Fri, 8 Mar 2002 15:43:53 <-- Viewing This Message
, Fri, 8 Mar 2002 12:56:29
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