Smell of Antifreeze

[Tango]

This is something I have noticed as I get used to driving my 81 Spider: when the car is warming up, but before the temperature gauge shows it getting up to the 190 area, I get a whiff of antifreeze. Just a bit. I don't see ANY hint of leakage anywhere, inside or outside of the car, the carpets are dry and no drips on the garage floor.

Is this just the coolant expanding into the overflow tank and I am smelling the dispaced air venting from that and getting pulled into the cowl vent inlet?

Is this common to you as well?

You know, it is tricky sort out the sounds and smells of a new old car and try to understand which are benign and which are impending doom. Especially if you are not used to a small two seater convertible it is a matter of sensory overload at first. For me anyway.

Tim

[So Cal Mark]

usually the smell of antifreeze means a leak somewhere, even though in may be quite small. You may have to pressure test the system when cold to find the leak. Because of expansion/contraction the leak may stop as the engine warms up.

[rlux4]

Did you remove the upper console and separate the heater box to get a look at the heater core? Without evidence of leaks at the hose connections and heater valve, I'd suspect the core.
Ron

[Tango]

Nope. I had better add that to my list for the winter work.

Ouch. I just looked up what a heater core costs.

Tim

[Tango]

I checked the carpeting in under the upper console last night and it seemed fine, then way in the back (closer to the firewall) I found dampness. Then I also looked last night under the carpet next to the console, passenger side, and there was quite a bit of wetness. It looked like dirty water, but it doesn't smell of antifreeze, or anything for that matter. If I reach into the floor heater outlet duct on the heater box it is dry.

Now, earlier in the day I washed the car with a fairly high pressure nozzle and remembered afterward that I should have closed the flap on top of the heater box. Is it possible that I got water in to the heater box or car that way?

I am not trying to fool myself, but just trying to make sure that I don't misread the evidence. When a radiator is leaking, you can usually see pretty obvious signs of corrosion and residue.

The car had a new heater control valve installed about 10 years / 13K kms ago. It seems to function fine.

First I have to fix the wipers, then I will take the console apart and check this all out.

[mbouse]

dump some water down that cowl vent, and you should get water into the cabin.

antifreeze should not be smelled, even from the overflow tank if it is properly capped. you most likely have a leak somewhere. finding it now will put your mind at ease.

what year is your car? any possibility it is a water choke feed tube?

[Tango]

A water choke what now? Its an 81.

Considering that the two previous owners never drove in the rain, I am not too surprised that problems are coming up with the heater and wipers. I probably exercised both more on Thursday than they have seen in the last 12 years.

For certain I will be removing the heater box and checking that all out in the next few months. I am in Ontario, so what we lack in growing season we make up for in indoor car repair and upgrade season.

Tim

[mbouse]

still.... the fuel injected engine has rubber hose water lines. check them