THE CULPRIT: Coolant containing sweet-smelling (but toxic) ethylene glycol is
leaking from somewhere
. … It might be coming from a leaky radiator cap or the radiator itself, especially if you smell it outside the car. A strong odor inside the passenger compartment probably means a bad heater core.
Why does my car air conditioner smell like antifreeze?
The heater core of your vehicle contains an antifreeze and water mixture, and it uses this mixture to regulate the temperature of the air inside your car. If the heater core of your vehicle is leaking antifreeze, that can cause a
fairly intense smell
inside your car.
Why do I smell antifreeze through my car vents?
There are several signs of a leaky heater core: First you may notice a sweet smell from your vents. … Coolant/antifreeze leaking out through the heater core means that
the overall coolant level in the system will be low and the engine is in danger of overheating
– which is the most common cause of mechanical breakdown.
How do I get the coolant smell out of my vents?
Spray some Lysol in the fresh air intake vent on the wiper cowl with
the fan on low speed. Repeat as necessary until the smell goes away. well an antifreeze smell would indicate your heater core might be on it’s way out….
What are the signs of a blown head gasket?
- White smoke coming from the tailpipe.
- BUBBLING IN THE RADIATOR AND COOLANT RESERVOIR.
- unexplained coolant loss with no leaks.
- Milky white coloration in the oil.
- Engine overheating.
Why does my car smell like it’s not overheating?
You likely have a
small oil leak on the valve cover
, or another place that is leaking on the exhaust. Also, if the smell is sweet, like antifeeze, you may have a small coolant leak as well. Lastly, check smell the wheels to see if the brakes are the source of the smell.
Why does the air in my car smell?
These smells are usually due to
dirt, dust and debris buildup in the under-hood air intake vent
, trapping water and moisture on the AC evaporator and in the evaporator case. All kinds of nasty gunk (germs, mold, mildew) can fester and grow in that wet, trapped debris.
Is coolant same as antifreeze?
Engine coolant
, also known as antifreeze, is mixed with water to keep the radiator from freezing in extreme cold and overheating in extreme heat.
What are the signs of a bad heater core?
- Fog Inside Your Car. Two things could be going on if you have fog inside your car. …
- Sweet Smells in the Car. The sweet smell in your car might not be your perfume or the donuts you’re taking to work. …
- Constant Engine Coolant Loss. …
- Cold Air in the Cabin. …
- Cold Cabin/Hot Engine.
Is it normal to smell coolant after driving?
If you’ve noticed an odd,
sweet smell
coming from your car after you shut the engine off you might have an antifreeze leak. … Your engine’s radiator is actually filled with what’s called coolant, a 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water.
How expensive is it to replace a heater core?
Replacing the heater core can be an expensive job, and usually costs
between $564 – $927
for parts and labor. The parts aren’t particularly expensive, normally costing $80 – $234, but the location of the heater core means that labor costs tend to be quite high.
What does engine coolant smell like?
Engine coolant is treated ethylene glycol, which
smells sweet
. If you notice the smell in your car, there’s most likely a coolant leak, which can be caused by the engine overheating and/or having other performance issues.
What does blown head gasket sound like?
If the head gasket fails in such a way it allows the compressed air/fuel to escape, the compression of that cylinder is reduced. This loss of compression results in a rough running engine and a notable reduction in engine power. This sort of failure typically is accompanied by a sound like
an exhaust leak
.
Can you still drive a car with a blown head gasket?
Is it safe to drive with a blown head gasket?
No
, the sooner you get it fixed, the better. Aside from the damage it will do to your engine, driving with a blown head gasket can be dangerous.
Is it worth fixing a blown head gasket?
Is it Worth Repairing a Blown Head Gasket? In a word,
yes
. You cannot ignore a blown head gasket and expect to keep your car running in good condition. If a blown head gasket is not repaired in a timely fashion you risk a cascade effect of damage.
Why is my car running hot when sitting still?
A Broken Radiator Fan
If your car begins to overheat when idling, but the temperature gauge moves back down once you get going, it’s most likely due to a broken radiator fan. … However, when your car is sitting still,
the radiator fan should kick in
, keeping the air moving over the radiator to help cool down the coolant.
