the Smell of Antifreeze but no leak

[parkercoman]

Hey everyone. Im in need of your heep.

I have 91 convert no mods beside and opened air box
I had to replace the fuel regulator a bit a month ago and
notices a few bad looking hoses so I replaced them.
I have no sign of water around under or on the car. both the tanks ars holing fulids and its not running hot as a matter of fact the car is running
very smooth

Anyone have any Ideas to look at Im at a lose


Chris

 

[toptechx6]

I would pressure test the system, see the link for a typical tool, you may be able to borrow or rent it at a parts store.

Amazon.com: Stant Inc. 12270 Cooling System and Pressure Cap Tester Set: Automotive

Once pressurized inspect carefully with particular attention to areas such as the weep hole on the water pump and the heater core both of which can be difficult to spot, good luck.

 

[muddywaters]

I assume the AF odor is inside the car? I had a bad heater core and there was no visible leak or wetness. Bypassed the core and the odor dissapated. When I got around to replacing the core it appeared like the AF was seeping and not a full blown leak. Pressure testing is the way to go, but it will probably finish off the core. If it does just by-pass the core until you can get to it. It is a big job to replace the core for most people,

 

[Sunstroked]

I would also agree the other guys. Possible bad heater core. Also be sure to look for stains in the engine compartment. The plastic end caps on my radiator were leaking for awhile before I picked up on it. I replaced it with a Dewitts.

 

[92BlackVette]

I had the same situation occur once. It was a slow leak in the radiator; in time it got worse to the point where a leak was seen. The smell was the main factor in all of this nonetheless. It took 2 weeks to identify the source without pressure testing the system.

 

[lex luther]

I had the same symptoms. It was a heater core.

 

[parkercoman]

Leak detector

Thanks for the starting points. The smell is coming from under the hood. So Im thinking the Radiator might be the source. Right now she is stuck in the Garage snow is here. so I will have to follow up this week.
Has anyone used and if so had any luck with the antifreeze leak detectors. A fluid that shows up under a UV light

 

[tonylong]

If you can smell it ,,, she's a-leakin'.
I smelled it for two years, replacing a cup or two every month until I pressure-tested it. It turned out to be the strange twisted-looking hose feeding the heater and tucked way under everything on the engine's passenger side. PITA to replace but no more smell now.

 

[John Robinson]

Add to list of things to do

I agree get a pressure test. When doing the test don't forget to test the radiator cap. I have had them intermittently hold and lose pressure allowing the fluid to escape and be blown by the air movement onto the exhaust manifold. Beleave me nothing good will come of not finding the source of the smell.hnoes