I drive on a cold day, and get out of car to notice a bad smell (coolant) car aint leaking though so what could that be? At times also smells like oil, i figure its the damm oil that fell off the filter on last change but other than that, whats wrong? engine going bad? normal? anything? thanx for input or ideas.

-Tdawg

 

If your car smells like coolant or oil, its probably got some sort of leak somewhere(maybe if its too small an amount to notice), or like you said, it could just be burning off old oil or coolant that was spilled... Neither of these things mean your engine is going bad. If you dont have any mechanical problems i'm sure its fine, just check your coolant and your oil levels to be sure youre not leaking. just plug your nose- its an rx7, its supposed to smell funny

 

LOL right on. Just want to be up on any possible problems. Im certain that the oil being burned off is from the last oil change but the coolant smell was odd. I dont seem to have any coolant leaks, and I dont understand the idea of adding coolant when I dont see any reason to need to add any and I know that may sound stupid but Im not really sure when to add coolant. The overflow tank seems to always be at near full or between half full n full. So could it be that some of the coolant leaks out from the resevoir? Well eitherway thanx for the input.

-Tdawg

 

not jumping the gun but how is your coolant level??? do you need to add coolant often???

 

Check the coolant at the cap not the overflow bottle. Remove the cap slowly to allow the pressure to escape if hot.

 

Could the coolant smell be coming from your exhaust fumes? Can happen if coolant seals are going and is ususally accompanied by white smoke during start up.

 

NO white smoke at all on start up. I noticed this happens when I also run the heater on high blast. Duno what it could be from though. I dont ever have to add coolant either.

 

Pressure test the cooling system..That will tell you For sure if you Do have a leak..and Question..have you noticed any damp areas on the Passenger side carpet..(sign of heater core leak)

 

check the coolant hose inlet that enters the firewall.

i have a friend that had coolant getting into his car because the inlet was basically crimped shut.

 

No damp areas anywhere in the cabin. I checked the hosed and the looked for possible leaks but nothing. Im not sure what it is. This started once I installed a T2 hood on my car. SO Im wondering if it could be the cold air that cause the smell? i doubt it but just another thought.