My truck smells like coolant

[Raduque]

It smells like coolant after it warms up to temp. It's not leaving spots, there's no smoke, and the heater works fine, blows very hot. It's not overheating, and once it sits and cools down a bit, the smell goes away. I'm going to check the coolant tank and oil level when the truck cools down a bit more. You can't smell it from inside the truck, and I only noticed it after I got out.

It still runs like a top even after 99,670 miles. Though I am about two thousand miles past an oil change, I'm going to do that Sunday.

This coolant smell though, worries me. The last time I had a car that smelled like coolant, it blew a headgasket. =\

 

[radioouman]

Your waterpump is most likely leaking through the weep hole and the coolant is evaporating on the hot engine. It doesn't leak when cool.

 

[crosshairs]

What kind of truck is it?

 

[RU482]

ah, my van is doing this too...never thought to look at the water pump...thanks!

 

[Vette73]

My cats breath smells like cat food.

 

[Iron Woode]

could also be your heater core.

 

[brblx]

mm-hm.

steam or loss of heater function is not a guarantee, you could have a pinhole leak that's causing coolant to collect in the HVAC box, but not much else.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: Raduque
It smells like coolant after it warms up to temp. It's not leaving spots, there's no smoke, and the heater works fine, blows very hot. It's not overheating, and once it sits and cools down a bit, the smell goes away. I'm going to check the coolant tank and oil level when the truck cools down a bit more. You can't smell it from inside the truck, and I only noticed it after I got out.

It still runs like a top even after 99,670 miles. Though I am about two thousand miles past an oil change, I'm going to do that Sunday.

This coolant smell though, worries me. The last time I had a car that smelled like coolant, it blew a headgasket. =\

What kind of truck? I just replaced the water pump gaskets on my friends 99 Sierra. (LS1 type of engine). Easiest thing I have done on a car in a long time. It's a downright fool proof operation.
I would check for leaks on near the waterpump. Look for a light whitish/greenish stain from the dried coolant. Look near the water pump gaskets and the weephole.

 

[exar333]

Originally posted by: Iron Woode
could also be your heater core.

+1. I have had this issue in the past, along with the much more costly head gasket issue as well. I would focus on either the water pump, heater core, or head gasket. The first two will be a cheaper fix, by far.

 

[jaha2000]

If the heater core was leaking it would probably put some steam on the inside of the glass when you ran the heat.
Most likely a weep hole leak on the water pump... Get the sucker replaced!

 

[alkemyst]

check your hoses first, esp the lower radiator at the bottom...

 

[Raduque]

For those asking: 01 F150 5.4

I changed the oil and the smell went away. I can't find any leaks, there's no white/green trails or anything on the motor, and the hoses feel fine using the squeeze test. When my dad gets home (he's way more of a diagnostician than I am), I'm gonna have him go over it with me and see what he can find wrong.

 

[brblx]

it will probably take a pressure tester to find the problem. if you can pump the system up to its rated pressure (usually 10-15psi or so) and not get any drips from around the engine, it's likely the heater core.

have you added any coolant?

 

[imported_weadjust]

You better hope its not the heater core. You have to pull the whole dash in an 01 F-150 the install a heater core.

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: brblx

have you added any coolant?

No I haven't and it's not low. I wouldn't mind losing the heater core, I'll just pull the lines and plug them. It's south texas, I don't need a flappin' heater anyway.

Oh, and if it's the heater core, wouldn't I smell it in the cab? Considering it's under the dash and all.

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: Raduque

Originally posted by: brblx

have you added any coolant?

No I haven't and it's not low. I wouldn't mind losing the heater core, I'll just pull the lines and plug them. It's south texas, I don't need a flappin' heater anyway.

Oh, and if it's the heater core, wouldn't I smell it in the cab? Considering it's under the dash and all.

yes, you would smell it in the cab. I didn't see the part where you couldn't smell it in the cab.