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Antifreeze Smell at Front of Truck

Dirtbiker

By Dirtbiker
in Troubleshooting & Recalls

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Ymeofcr New Member

Ymeofcr

Posted
Posted

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.

 

I would explain to them that you believe the radiator is slow seeping. If the tech pressure tests it and cant find any leaks and its been there previously they should call GM TAC and tell them the complaint and they will most likely authorize the technician to change the radiator and start a case.

  • 1 year later...
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Dirtbiker Enthusiast

Dirtbiker

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I started this topic a long time ago. I have put up with the smell of antifreeze every time I got out of the truck. I took it in twice to Capital GM in Edmonton. Had the service manager confirm he could smell the antifreeze and was told twice that they could not find a leak. Both times I said I wanted it noted in the service order so that when it let go after the bumper to bumper warranty was up, there would be record of it being a problem prior. Both times they " forgot" to note it. So after 2 years I started thinking what if I remote start it and the rad lets go? I walk out to a siezed engine maybe? In the two years the antifreeze level in the reservoir has gone down about 1/2 an inch only.

So i took it to Sherwood Park Chev and in an hour they called me to say they did a pressure test and yes the rad is leaking. And much to my surprise (and an awesome birthday gift today) the powertrain warranty will cover it. The only thing is that the new rad is backordered. But I can wait. I am guessing a new rad installed is probably a $1000 bill. Thought I would pass some good news and a resolution along.

Ridersfan Enthusiast

Ridersfan

Posted
Posted

Best way to convince them to track a no leak found is to ask for UV dye to be put in, they want to bill it somewhere... my own truck is running around with dye in it because I smelled it once and no leak shows and it's never been low.

Joelleo Enthusiast

Joelleo

Posted
Posted

I took my truck in for a similar issue about a month ago. The service manager said there was a bulletin about this issue. He said the thermostat cycles too much and causes the radiator to leak. They replaced both parts on mine and it has been good ever since. I would make sure that they are going to replace the thermostat as well or you may run into this issue again.

fishman27 Enthusiast

fishman27

Posted
Posted

I took my truck in for a similar issue about a month ago. The service manager said there was a bulletin about this issue. He said the thermostat cycles too much and causes the radiator to leak. They replaced both parts on mine and it has been good ever since. I would make sure that they are going to replace the thermostat as well or you may run into this issue again.

What was the trucks symptoms? I am getting some steam/vapor out the front right side of the grill of my 2015 Sierra on wet days when coming to a stop. No smell of coolant though. I'm told it is just moisture burning off. Dealer did a pressure test and found no leaks. What does this Service Bulletin state?

Joelleo Enthusiast

Joelleo

Posted
Posted

What was the trucks symptoms? I am getting some steam/vapor out the front right side of the grill of my 2015 Sierra on wet days when coming to a stop. No smell of coolant though. I'm told it is just moisture burning off. Dealer did a pressure test and found no leaks. What does this Service Bulletin state?

Yeah, the steam is just moisture burning off. I could smell coolant when I walked around the front of my truck. From what the service manager said the bulletin said the old thermostat cycled too much causing damage to the radiator. He said the bulletin called for the replacement of both the radiator and thermostat.

Badass69 Senior Enthusiast

Badass69

Posted
Posted

I started this topic a long time ago. I have put up with the smell of antifreeze every time I got out of the truck. I took it in twice to Capital GM in Edmonton. Had the service manager confirm he could smell the antifreeze and was told twice that they could not find a leak. Both times I said I wanted it noted in the service order so that when it let go after the bumper to bumper warranty was up, there would be record of it being a problem prior. Both times they " forgot" to note it. So after 2 years I started thinking what if I remote start it and the rad lets go? I walk out to a siezed engine maybe? In the two years the antifreeze level in the reservoir has gone down about 1/2 an inch only.

So i took it to Sherwood Park Chev and in an hour they called me to say they did a pressure test and yes the rad is leaking. And much to my surprise (and an awesome birthday gift today) the powertrain warranty will cover it. The only thing is that the new rad is backordered. But I can wait. I am guessing a new rad installed is probably a $1000 bill. Thought I would pass some good news and a resolution along.

It's back ordered because the fleet I work amongst is losing them left and right so Edmonton's warehouse would be depleted lol.

 

If mine let's go I am going to see if the 34" they have been running since 1999 in the GMT800's is the same rad.....which it probably is by the looks of it and swap one in from an HD truck to gain some core capacity. My non max tow 6.2 has a pretty mickey mouse radiator in it now.

 

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

  • 3 weeks later...
HD10 Enthusiast

HD10

Posted
Posted

I took my truck in for a similar issue about a month ago. The service manager said there was a bulletin about this issue. He said the thermostat cycles too much and causes the radiator to leak. They replaced both parts on mine and it has been good ever since. I would make sure that they are going to replace the thermostat as well or you may run into this issue again.

 

what year and model trucks had the bulletin? I have a 14 Sierra with the coolant smell and steam from the upper corner of the passenger side. Its been in the shop once already for the issue and goes back in tomorrow since I removed the covers and found the leak.

Joelleo Enthusiast

Joelleo

Posted
Posted

what year and model trucks had the bulletin? I have a 14 Sierra with the coolant smell and steam from the upper corner of the passenger side. Its been in the shop once already for the issue and goes back in tomorrow since I removed the covers and found the leak.

I have a 14 Silverado. I'm not sure what others fall under the bulletin. The service manager just told me about the bulletin. I would definitely push them on looking up the bulletin. If they don't replace the thermostat the issue will occur again. The steam coming off the passenger side is probably just water vapor. I have seen threads discussing it on here.

fondupot Senior Enthusiast

fondupot

Posted
Posted

I've started to notice a coolant smell from the front end of my truck sometimes too...been monitoring coolant levels. Haven't see any noticeable loss. Coming up on my 36,000 miles....better get it checked out.

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