I've been doing some reading on coolant seal issues, and it's got me thinking. My car right now, once in a while doesn't turn over when I turn the key(it doesn't do anything,almost like a dead battery). It maybe only happens when I have the AC on as I start it.
I wouldn't even equate this symptom with my coolant seals normally, but when my car starts to heat up, I smell antifreeze. The car is also running a little hot. The good news is that I haven't seen any smoke, although I wasn't actively looking for it.
So basically, what are the symptoms of a bad coolant seal?

 

Check you radiator hoses and coolant hoses. There might be a leak. You smell antifreeze cuz coolant is leaking in your engine bay somewhere and the heat it burning it up.
Check it out right away. Drive w/ your windows down. The vapors can make you sick.

 

I'm not leaving any fluid on the ground and the resevoir seems normal, but i'll have it checked at KD on Monday.
Thanks
BTW. Would that effect my car starting? That would be wierd.

 

If your coolant levels are consistant I wouldn't worry to much about it.

 

if you open the hood and smell cooant you have some sort of external coolant leak. (hose, water pump, turbo water pipe, t-stat, water level sensor)


mike

 

A lot of things could effect your starting. Fuel pressure, faulty injectors, faulty ignition system (plugs, wire, coils), could even be failing apex seals (check vacuum level and compression).

 

I'm pulling 18.5 at somewhere around 700 rpm so I don't think it's apex. Jesus I hope not.
It only seems to not start when I start the car with the ac on. I know my battery is old, so maybe starting it with ac is taking too much juice.
I'll change the plugs and wires this weekend. Maybe when I go to KD Monday, Dave can do a test for my ignition components (if there is such a test).
Thanks
Jim

 

By not starting, are you talking about the engine will turn over but not firing, or it wouldn't turn over. If it wouldn't turn over then it's probably your battery. (not storing enough cold crank amps)

 

Most likely an ignition switch, if you turn the key and nothing happens, of course it could aslo be a loose batter connection or a bad starter.

 

Jeez, I hope you're not waiting for a sign to pop up on your dashboard saying "disaster looming ahead."
Those symptoms are nothing to fool with. If a leaking hose blows out completely while you're driving and your engine overheats, you could ruin it before you have a chance to cool things down.

Take these warning signs seriously. If you're going to KDR, you're going to the best. I don't know what you're going there for, but I'd put this coolant problem at the top of the list. It could turn out to be nothing, but don't take the chance. I don't know what to tell you about driving all the way from Boston to PA. Good luck on the trip. Keep a very watchful eye (and nose.) If it were me, I'd try like hell to find where that antifreeze smell is coming from before I made the trip.

 

In my buddy's car, it takes him 3 or 4 try's to start every time. I forget what it sounds like or even if it made noise at all. Anyhow, Mazdatrix said it was the air pump going bad.

 

Pull a plug and see if it's wet.