I hate to plauge the forum with these simple questions, but I'm looking for a straightforward answer that I just can't seem to find on the archives. I do not have any coolant problems. No bubbles, no leaks no white smoke and needs no extra water. Every now and again I smell what seems to be coolant out of the exhaust.... Needless to say I am a little confused and more worried about a rebuild that I'm not ready for. Maybe this problem is so miniscule that it is just sucking from the overflow and I am oblivious. How can I further test the water seals and is there any type of preventative maintenance? Thanks for your help!

 

If you're not losing coolant at all then don't worry about it. I don't know what this sweet smell is all about, but almost every car I sit in upon cold start up has this "sweet smell" to the exhaust. I don't know what a blown coolant seal smells like, but I say as long as you're not losing coolant you're motor should be fine.

 

I think that the typical symptom of bad coolant seals is white smoke in the exhaust. If you dont' see that, and you're not losing *any* coolant at all, then I guess just don't sweat it, it's probably just how things go with your car.

 

i sometimes get the smell when i start up but after a few min it goes away

 

Ahh, I feel $2000 better now Thanks guys

 

It's the catalyst beads heating up to operating temperature.
All cars have that smell upon cold start.

 

lol catalyst beads...now that i have never even heard about

 

for anyone intrested on this sweet exhaust thread, this months sport compact car magazine has part 11 on the project fd, and they have to rebuild the motor and show us exactly what a broken coolant seal looks like.

 

I hope I never have to see what it looks like!

 

Would those catalyst beads be part of the catalytic converter stowed behind my house?