Antifreeze Smell at Front of Truck

[Dirtbiker]

I did a search but only found heater core issues. Has anyone else noticed an antifreeze smell at the front of your truck when parked? Lately, when I stop somewhere and get out, I notice the smell when I walk around the front of the truck or open the hood. I have looked everywhere but can't find a leak. It doesn't look like the level in the overflow container has dropped so I don't know if I am just imagining things?

I haven't been to the dealer yet, I thought I would check here first.

Thank you.

[00Silverado4x4]

Similar topic here...

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/166898-coolant-smell/?do=findComment&comment=1540422

 

Hopefully everyone can find an answer.

[pm26]

Sometimes radiators develop microscopic leaks that are very dificult to find. You will lose coolant slowly and the coolant level in the overflow bottle will drop. Look for signs of white powder deposits on the radiator core. These powder like deposits are a telltale sign of leaking coolant. Also, overflow plastic bottles have been known to leak. Some manufacturers seems to have chronic problems with those.

 

Also recommend you inspect the radiator neck area where the hose are atached. These plastic necks sometimes develop very small cracks that leak.

[thewhitestallion]

a pressure test is the best way to find a leak in your cooling system, whether it be cracked radiators, hoses, gaskets etc.

[Dirtbiker]

Thank you for the replies. And the link. Mine seems to be coming from the same area, I will have to keep looking.

[Colossus]

Good luck, please keep us posted. You will surely help someone else who may have the same issue.

[Dirtbiker]

Well took my truck in. They can't find any leaks. At least it is on record now before my warranty runs out I guess.

[Silverado-Hareek]

Is your truck still new with low mileage? I had a burning plastic/oil/coolant type smell for the first month or so of ownership and then it went away. I assumed it was residue from the factory on the engine burning iff

 

 

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[Dirtbiker]

Ha ha, no, my truck has 50,000 km on it in the first 11 months. But thanks for the suggestion

[JTWOLD]

FYI - I've noticed this antifreeze smell too, and mentioned it while getting my oil changed this morning. The dealer wasn't certain but thought one of my heater hoses may be seeping around the crimped fitting. They ordered me a new hose, so I'll report back once the repair is made.

[MMC]

Have the dealer add some UV dye and look for the leak that way not just guess at what it is.

[Ymeofcr]

I work as a GM tech and our dealership now keeps radiators in stock for these things. We have replaced at least 6 that I can remember. You can't see any leaks from the radiator even when pressure tested but once you pull the radiator you can see the coolant stains on it.

 

 

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[rocnrol]

Ymeofcr, if you were to see this, what would you say? The tech that looked at mine for this exact same complaint said she couldn't see anything, did the pressure test with no results.

[jjy130]

that's really interesting, I just smelled antifreeze yesterday and today at the front of the truck, never smelled it before. I was planning on checking my overflow tank to see the level and keep and eye on it.

[Colossus]

I get a slight antifreeze smell from time to time on my 2013 impala from up front and seem to recall a slight smell on ocassion on my 2008 and 2007 trucks. Wasn't all the time, just once in awhile. always from up front and never lasting very long.