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Author What should coolant smell like, if anything?
deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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3rd May 07 at 08:10   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Well, my 12v has been driving absolutely fine, but as it's a relatively high miler (67k) I check the oil frequently, at least 2 times a week.

No mayo what so ever, and the usual bit of white after a short journey i.e. condensation.

Anyway, I thought of smelling the coolant tank today, as that is another sign of the head gasket going (murky water and smelling of exhaust fumes).

So yeah, I smelt it, and it seems to smell of. . .toffee sauce or something like that but not really exhaust fumes

Is this just the smell of the anti-freeze, or should it smell of nothing?

The antifreeze is relatively new, as I had a new radiator etc about 2k miles ago.

Thanks
Deano

[Edited on 03-05-2007 by deano87]
CorsaKen1
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Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire
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3rd May 07 at 08:16   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

probably is alright when my head gasket went the coolant smelt really vile like a fishy type of smell

edit: - apperantly to check coolant for head gasket signs start it when engine is cold with the coolant cap off and check for bubbling which it should not have - but don't quote me on that

[Edited on 03-05-2007 by CorsaKen1]
Kurt
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3rd May 07 at 08:23   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

you can get a sniffer test done too, you put this chemical in like a turkey baster type thing and it sniffs the tank and changes colour if it finds emissions/carbon monoxide in the header tank which are signs of a failed gasket

[Edited on 03-05-2007 by kurtofcc]
pow
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Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
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3rd May 07 at 08:51   View Garage View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Deano Man, you need to stop worrying! You will know when a head gasket goes, it really does go!

Antifreeze does have a little bit of a wiff, but until there is major mayo and the coolant seems an oily colour, itlll be fine!
deano87
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3rd May 07 at 09:11   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

pah, it must be fine.

pow - I do worry, ever since my missus engine has gone kaput at only 55k miles

Ken - I don't think it really bubbles.

It doesn't use hardly any oil, no blue smoke and no mayo so I knew I was fine, just wanted to see what it should smell like
CorsaKen1
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Registered: 22nd Nov 06
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3rd May 07 at 10:16   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

if it runs perfectly - sounds as normal, fluids stay the same (i.e. coolant, oil) etc then no need to worry - in my personal honest opinion

mines got a few leaks and the engine looks a mess but runs very well very economical and keeps all its fluids but I used to be the same worrying about something and always under the bonnet and even under the car checking
deano87
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3rd May 07 at 10:18   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Yeah, another reason I asked is because there is oil, like thick, sticky and not running on some of the joins/seals on the engine, but everything seems fine. I suppose that is what is to be expected for an 'old' engine!
CorsaKen1
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3rd May 07 at 10:22   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

mines older being 13 yrs with 74000 (no sh) on the clock and me doing 400 miles a week - yours has another 7/ 6 years on mine just think like that and mines still going strong (should not have said that lol)

in reard to the above have you had a oil change recently?
deano87
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3rd May 07 at 10:27   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

quote:
Originally posted by CorsaKen1
mines older being 13 yrs with 74000 (no sh) on the clock and me doing 400 miles a week - yours has another 7/ 6 years on mine just think like that and mines still going strong (should not have said that lol)

in reard to the above have you had a oil change recently?

Not for 7k miles. Was serviced on exactly 60,000 miles (no actually joking ) so the next service is due very soon. I do about 1k miles a month.
pow
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3rd May 07 at 10:50   View Garage View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

I get mine done every 5k, keeps the engine healthy
deano87
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3rd May 07 at 10:57   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Could do it myself really, but no point now until the full service.

The oil is still really clean and looks healthy, so never really done it.
CorsaKen1
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3rd May 07 at 11:10   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

The oil I do according to haynes which is 9000 - I do everything according to the haynes manual - bit worried about the 18000 mile service as it covers brake fluid coolant renewal spark plugs etc could get a tad expensive
deano87
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3rd May 07 at 11:47   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

But in contrast, the Vauxhall manual says the coolant should last the lifetime of the vehicle
topshot_2k
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3rd May 07 at 12:07   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

my coolant smells sweet, i change it every year
deano87
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3rd May 07 at 16:33   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

quote:
Originally posted by topshot_2k
my coolant smells sweet, i change it every year

Sweet, that is another word to describe it looks like mine is fine then

 
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