Coolant smell

[DCadigan]

My father in laws 02 3500 CTD stinks like coolant when he turns it off. Did a die test, no coolant leak. Probably needs to be pressure tested to see if he blew head gasket. Is there anything else that would cause coolant smell?

 

[FourBarR]

If the smell is inside the cab ,heater core leak possible.

 

[DCadigan]

No not inside. It is comming from the front of the truck.

 

[FourBarR]

have you checked the weep hole in the water pump. you need a mirror to get down under the pump to see the hole. better to check the simple things first before getting into expensive things. do you have a 53 block? if so look on the right side of the block ,above the oil pan between cylinders 5 and 6.

 

[DCadigan]

Yeah I will check tomorrow... Thanks

 

[Motorhead]

Also check the radiator where the end tanks are attached to the core header. Check and or replace the pressure cap. Best time to check for leaks is when the engine and radiator are cold. Buy or borrow a radiator pressure pump tester and pressurize the cooling system. Leaks or seeps will show up because the heat hasn't expanded everything.

 

[TWenske]

My 06 had a t-stat gasket leaking and would smell like coolant when hot but you could not see anything leaking until it sat in the garage for a week, then you could see coolant around the t-stat housing.

 

[Motorhead]

My 06 had a t-stat gasket leaking and would smell like coolant when hot but you could not see anything leaking until it sat in the garage for a week, then you could see coolant around the t-stat housing.

My 01. 5 did this also.

 

[dan.poitras]

Are the pipe plugs on the top of the head tight? (right side). They may exibit blooming if they have leaked,