Why does my engine smell like antifreeze?

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 smell like antifreeze inside?

A sweet smell inside or outside of a car is a sure sign that the car is leaking antifreeze. The challenge is locating the part of the car in which the leak is located. Although all antifreeze leaks occur under the hood, you can diagnose the problem from inside and outside the vehicle. Antifreeze leaks can be caused by …

Why is antifreeze leaking from my car radiator?

A 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and distilled water flows around the engine during use, keeping it from overheating, so a leak can mean trouble. Eventually the radiator and the reservoir will run dry and lead to the destruction of the engine.

What does it mean when antifreeze goes out of an engine?

It could be a blown head gasket, a fractured cylinder head, damaged cylinder bores, or a manifold leak. It could also be a hydraulic lock. If the antifreeze vanishes without any apparent reason, check these components for cracks, damage, or defects. Any of these issues can destroy the engine if it is going for too long.

How can you tell if your car coolant is leaking?

Another sign of a leak would be if your vehicles engine suddenly overheats, sometimes there can even be a coolant smell if it is leaking. Finding out the type of leak your coolant system has is not that difficult, however, locating it can be more of a challenge.

Why does my car engine smell like antifreeze?

When an engine runs, it gets incredibly hot. Without a coolant of some kind circulating through the engine, it will eventually overheat. When that happens, you’re looking at all sorts of expensive repairs to get things up and running again. Back in the day, vehicles were cooled with water.

What causes antifreeze to run down side of car?

Leaks from the heater core usually result in the antifreeze running down the side of the heater or dripping onto the ground underneath the car. Locate the coolant compartment and examine it for leaks. The coolant compartment is a clear square container through which the coolant liquid can be seen.

Why does coolant smell in the trunk after running?

In the trunk by the coolant cap there is a plastic shield. Remove this and you should see a coolant air relief, or “burp” valve. Sometimes you will see dried coolant in this area which could explain the smell you are experiencing. The relief valve gaskets may need to be replaced, or the screws may just be loose, causing the leak.

How can I tell if my car is running on antifreeze?

Reach near the floor on the driver’s side and pull the hood release. Move to the front of the car and run your hand underneath the hood to locate the latch. Slide the latch to the side to release the hood. Insert the hood prop pole into the hood to hold it open. Examine the entire length of the heater hose for leaks.