coolant smell

[Paris Ligi]

Hello All,

I own an '02 outback wagon with approx 66,000 miles - runs great except that
recently, I can smell coolant after I get out of the car. It doesn't seem
to be coming thru the vents. I can't find where its leaking and my mechanic
can't find it either - has anyone had this problem? Is it the water pump?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanx, P Ligi

 

[gpatmac]

Paris,

Obviously, I can't say for sure without looking at it first hand, but a few
options you have would be to take it to (or do it yourself) the dealer and
have them pressurize your cooling system. When is the last time you changed
your coolant? Ever had any problems before?

The coolant or coolant vapor could be escaping through any one of your hoses
(rad to block, rad to reservoir, block to rad....), your water pump, your
rad itself.

At a minimum, if you were to flush it out yourself, you may just stumble
across the source of it.

Pat

 

[dr.benway]

freeze plugs?

 

[Edward Hayes]

There are no freeze plugs but, screwed in coolant block plugs which I
have never heard of leak. I'd first check ALL the coolant hose
fittings.

 

[Paris Ligi]

Hello All,

I found the leak... actually my friend found it...

It's coming from the driver side intake manifold.....very hard to spot since
there's a cover on that side of the engine.

I'm very disappointed - the car only has 66,000 miles, luckily, I bought the
extended warranty... hopefully they will honor it...

Thanx to all who replied... P Ligi