Slight odor after driving

[shaker281]

I smell a slight odor after parking in garage. This has been going on for a while, though not many miles, justshort trips. I have not noticed a drop in reservoir level or any indication of anything in the oil. It must be very, very slight. I did a visual inspection and haven't seen any leakage.

 

[kryptto]

Like the title says, I smell a slight antifreeze odor after parking in garage. This has been going on for a while, though not many miles, just short trips. I have not noticed a drop in reservoir level or any indication of anything in the oil. It must be very slight. 125K miles and no weird engine sounds. Any guesses if this could be a water pump, or would I not smell that? I did a visual inspection and haven't seen any leakage.

I am trying to determine if I should be doing water pump, timing set and gears, or if this is something else. Ideas?

well take the oil dipstick out and look for cloudy - antifreeze smell oil. Or under the car where the oil filter is the waterpump weep hole. Check the passenger side Antifreeze bottle - WHEN COOL - make sure its at proper fill, see if there is any oil in the antifreeze.

 

[SHOdded]

the engine splash shield is notorious for hiding leak sources. i would take it off before beginning inspection.

i dont remember the cooling lines to the turbos leaking but theres that too.

if the water pump is due, the leak will be coming between the alternator and the engine block.

 

[shaker281]

Thanks. Antifreeze clean and right at cold fill mark. If it is leaking, it is very, very slow, so it might be down a little.
Dipstick oil looks clean. Good to know where the weep hole is. I'll have to put it on ramps and check again. I didn't know where to look when I changed the oil, so did a general look around and did not spot anything.

 

[kryptto]

Thanks. Antifreeze clean and right at cold fill mark. If it is leaking, it is very slow, so it might be down a little.

Oil change 200 miles ago and clean as could be expected. Dipstick oil looks clean.

Good to know where the weep hole is. I'll have to put it on ramps and check again. I didn't know where to look when I changed the oil, so did a general look around and did not spot anything.

look online YT - there are videos that show its location. Between the oil filter and alternator. It can get clogged with road crapola - so make sure its open.

 

[shaker281]

the engine splash shield is notorious for hiding leak sources. i would take it off before beginning inspection.

i dont remember the cooling lines to the turbos leaking but theres that too.

if the water pump is due, the leak will be coming between the alternator and the engine block.

Good to know. I had the splash shield off and didn't see anything suspicious, but stains from road salt can hide things here. Good to see you still posting on here.

No sign of anything in the area around the weep hole that I can see.

 

[Zpak]

Definitely doesn’t take much leak to get the smell, especially with a hot engine. Check around the ends of your heater hoses too. I’ve had an ever so slight seep once at a hose junction. No leak just a fine mist was left in the area. It was months before I figured it out. Every now and then just the slightest smell after driving.

Good luck, I hope it’s something simple.

 

[SM105K]

Yep, look at the plastic junction on the top radiator hose.

 

[shaker281]

Definitely doesn’t take much leak to get the smell, especially with a hot engine. Check around the ends of your heater hoses too. I’ve had an ever so slight seep once at a hose junction. No leak just a fine mist was left in the area. It was months before I figured it out. Every now and then just the slightest smell after driving.

Good luck, I hope it’s something simple.

Exactly what I was thinking. Thanks for the advice.

 

[shaker281]

Yep, look at the plastic junction on the top radiator hose.

Will do. Thanks. Now I have some great places to focus my search.