"Sweet" smell at WOT this morning. Any thoughts?
 

The smell came after the car was warmed up and at WOT (or close).

Windows up.

2nd gear.

Nothing on (radio, A/C, defrost, heat, etc.).

Wasn't watching the tach, as I was in light traffic, but I'm guessing I was only pushing 5K, maybe 5.5K before I shifted.

I can't imagine that anything is wrong with the car this early in it's rebuilt life, but...it is an FD, and one never knows. :)

Anyone have a guess as to what the smell was?

-E

I'm not super-knowledgeable, but that sweet smell is most likely antifreeze/coolant. Have you checked for loose hoses or a radiator leak?

Well, sweet smell usually means coolant is leaking (heater core?) or is being comsumed by the engine ('nuf said).

--OR--

Maybe it was that box of glazed donuts sitting on the passenger seat! Yummm.:D

I'll check into a rad leak.

The smell was passing though. It only lasted a moment, and stopped right after I upshifted.

For all I know it could've been someone next to me on the road.

Thanks fellas.

-E

Well, the higher the RPM, the higher the coolant pressure due to the water pump. Do a quick check under the hood before you drive home to look for signs of coolant. Glycol doesn't really dry, so you will be able to see evidence if there was a leak at higher RPM's. Check around the AST, all the hoses, and the radiator. Never know. You could have been lucky and caught a problem early. If not, no harm done.:)

Jeff

Check all your coolant hoses. If you haven't gotten the coolant buzzer yet, then it's a small leak and may be difficult to locate. I would check the hoses to the AST (if you still have it) and the hose from the AST to the filler neck. I've had both of those hoses spring pin-hole leaks. Start small and work your way to the big guys ... although I doubt one of the large radiator hoses. You would've gotten the bheeeeeeeeee by now.

I have a re-installed AST. It was gone and now its back. :)

I'm prolly headed home for lunch, so I'll check it then and report back. It's good to be paranoid sometimes.

:)

Okay, everything around the AST and the AST are fine.

But I am definitely getting a coolant smell when I open up the engine bay.

Coolant is full (almost too full), so that may be the problem. It's been sitting with little use for about two weeks or so.

Now I'm wondering if someone at the shop I left it at thought they were doing me a favor by topping it off. If so, things should get interesting.

I'm running Evans NPG+, so regular coolant mixed in would be a no-no.

I can't find any leaks though.

Dunno what's up. What's the worst that could happen if the two coolants were mixed accidentally?

-E

Dunno. I have no idea what is actually in Evans coolant. Ethylene glycol is not a dangerously combustible substance, so a big boom is not something to worry about. I highly doubt that some extra ethylene glycol is causing an exothermic reaction in your radiator large enough to boil off the Evans. But, I guess you never know ....

Otherwise, ruling out the obvious ... what's the pressure rating on your radiator cap? If you have the wrong type, you could just be boiling off coolant. I believe the correct cap is a 1.1bar rating. Turbo coolant lines could have a leak. Water pump perhaps ...

just keep driving your car and checking the water levels. If it stays the same, your fine.

P.S. Start carrying around a gallon of distilled water just in case...

Well...it'll take ~350F to boil the Evans IIRC, so I'm okay there. I'm still running steady at ~87C (nowhere remotely close to dangerous).

As far as the radiator cap goes, it should be a 0 psi cap. Evans is a zero pressure system, so you have to get rid of the usual pressure cap.

I'll check the turbo coolant lines and WP when I get home.

This is immensely helpful BTW guys, even if it doesn't seem like it. I'm still on the learning curve moreso than a lot of you. Thanks.

Skunk, you're right. Gonna keep driving it and see what's up. No water carrying for me though. Evans hates the 'ol H2O. It's a no water system also. I think I'll put it on the lift this afternoon if they have a moment to humor me. I can't really get under the car to see what might be going on under the rad. I've heard stories of aftermarket oil coolers rubbing through the radiator with the SS lines.

Here's the link for Evans if you guys wanna check it out. There are several good threads on it also.

http://www.evanscooling.com/index2.html

Thanks again,

-E