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smelling like burning antifreeze

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giovanniv

10+ Year Contributor
386
0
Aug 8, 2008
normal, Illinois
Ok so I am having a problem with my antifreeze in my car. Like when the car is parked there is NO antifreeze getting spilled anywhere but when I start driving my car it starts smelling like burning antifreeze. What could be the problem?
 
You may have a crack radiator, When the system is pressurized the crack open up then it starting leaking.
Some auto parts store have loner tools, you might want to get a radiator pressure tester and check it with that.
If the car idling do you still smell it or is only when you are driving?
 
I would get some coolant dye, rent or purchase a black light that illuminates the dye in the anti freeze. Run the engine until it is at temp, and let it sit. Take the black light and see if you can see any green on the engine or engine bay. If you are losing coolant and it's not coming out from the engine, it is likely going out the tail pipe. And you know what that means.

Good Luck
 
It is at idle and when driving. I how it's just a cracked radiatior so I won't have to go through the headache of finding out something else is wrong.
 
Actually kind of having the same issue, except mine is retaining the coolant I put in it. It only smells like antifreeze burning when I have driven the car. There isn't any overheating etc. It was leaking from the Water Housing Gasket before, and I replaced the gasket, removing all the excess and such, maybe I just put it on wrong? or could it also be the thermostat housing gasket as well?
 
Do you smell it inside the cabon of the car? or outside the car?
 
Do you smell it inside the cabon of the car? or outside the car?

Mostly outside, right when I'm getting out closer to the hood, but I DO sometimes smell it inside the car. Not often though, also if it helps the muffler WAS garbage, now it snapped in half after the CAT. Just bought it, got it for $400 and it was NOT takin care of.

It's not a real heavy smell, more feint if anything, but there isn't any mistaking that it's AntiFreeze/Coolant.
 
Last edited:
You need to start at square one.... get the maintance caught up on the car.

First do a coolant pressure test and fine the leak, from what you are saying, it has to be a small steam/mist type leak,
 
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