CUNYSTEVE Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 WHEN I FIRST TURN ON THE HEAT I SMELL ANTIFREEZE COMMING THROUGH THE VENT, BUT ONLY WHEN I FIRST TURN THE HEAT ON. I AM LOSING ANTIFREEZE AND I DONT KNOW WHERE FROM. LOST ABOUT A QUART IN 2 WEEKS, MAYBE A LITTLE MORE. THERE IS NONE ON THE GROUND AND NONE IN THE CAR, SO I DIDNT THINK IT WAS THE HEATER CORE. ANY IDEAS? HOPE IT ISNT ANYTHING DRASTIC, LIKE HEAD GASKET OR CRACKED BLOCK. CAR DOESNT RUN HOT AT ALL. RUNS AT NORMAL TEMP. thanks, steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 If you smell antifreeze that does seem like a leak. I would definitely check the heater core as a principle culprit. Then get a test kit and check the coolant for exhaust gases just in case. Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 If you smell antifreeze, you have an external leak. Sounds like the heater core may be starting to go since you smell it when you turn on the heat. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 I smelled coolant and it was the 4 crossover gaskets Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CUNYSTEVE Posted December 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 I smelled coolant and it was the 4 crossover gaskets what are the 4 crossover gaskets and are they expensive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 The crossover gaskets are not expensive but replacing them is an involved job. The coolant crossover goes between the heads on the driver's side of the car. You really need to rent or borrow a cooling system pressure tester and pressurize the system to 15 psi when cold. Then inspect every inch of the cooling system and look for leaks. Many auto parts stores will loan the tool for a deposit and upon return of the tool, the deposit is refunded. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CUNYSTEVE Posted December 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 The crossover gaskets are not expensive but replacing them is an involved job. The coolant crossover goes between the heads on the driver's side of the car. You really need to rent or borrow a cooling system pressure tester and pressurize the system to 15 psi when cold. Then inspect every inch of the cooling system and look for leaks. Many auto parts stores will loan the tool for a deposit and upon return of the tool, the deposit is refunded. approximetly how many hours labor a job like that involve? thank you for your help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 I'm putting my money on the heater core. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 As Kevin said, don't jump to conclusions, I was only suggesting what it might be. Its a big freaking job, the dealer gets $900 for it and I now know why, it is not an easy job at all, hated it.. You could have leaking radiator side tanks, a leaking hose, a leaking water pump rear case seal, leaking heater pipes, etc. Inspect it closely and as KHE said, pressurizing it will make the leak easy to find. When the car is hot, the coolant comes out under pressure and vaporizes when it hits the atmosphere, so you smell it but dont see it. Pressurizing it cold will allow you to see it. here is my crossover job, lots of fun http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?sho...mp;hl=crossover Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97seville Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 I've had 3 such "leaks" that resulted in anti-freeze smell in the passenger compartment. One was when the water pump went. Another was a 4 inch hose that was just a junction to a metal pipe that ran over to the heater core. and the third was a crack in the "plastic" of the radiator. I can't believe they use plastic in the radiator....anything to save weight I suppose. The way I had to find my leaks was bringing the car up to temp. and then reving from under the hood while looking with a flashlight. Is there a tool for pressurizing the system while cold? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonA Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 I smelled coolant once and had a water pump seal leak. Didn't really have a "leak" that dripped to the ground, though. It was so slow, it would run down the engine block and dry up. There was a lot of coolant staining on the block. This was on my '97. Get under the car, remove the small splash shield (long and thin, mounts with 3 10mm bolts), and shine a light up to the water pump. You may see some staining or some dripping up there. Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond) "When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.