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Auto Talk => The Garage => Topic started by: Morris Minor on August 29, 2022, 09:20:05 AM

Title: Coolant leak?
Post by: Morris Minor on August 29, 2022, 09:20:05 AM
The G37 (2010, 93,000 miles) always reeks of coolant after a run. I had to add more via the coolant filler and also to the expansion tank - took about a quart. It's weird because I don't see any drips - so it's slow & immediately evaporating somewhere. I don't smell it inside the car, just outside from the engine bay. Temp gauge reads fine. Oil looks fine (but it's now burning a little and needs the odd top-up.)
Title: Re: Coolant leak?
Post by: veeman on August 29, 2022, 10:31:14 AM
Your sig made me think you have a Dodge Journey.  Sorry about that... :lol:
Title: Re: Coolant leak?
Post by: CaminoRacer on August 29, 2022, 10:36:08 AM
With the engine running, do you see any leaks? My old Saturn had a pinhole leak in the radiator that shot directly backwards towards the engine. Something like that could squirt the coolant right onto a hot engine or exhaust part and evaporate it immediately
Title: Re: Coolant leak?
Post by: FoMoJo on August 29, 2022, 11:20:01 AM
Head gasket?  Could be sucking coolant into a cylinder.  Might see some steam coming out of the tailpipe on startup.
Title: Re: Coolant leak?
Post by: Morris Minor on August 31, 2022, 12:11:10 PM
A mechanic (great guy - highly successful mobile business) ran a pressure test for 40 mins and took a close look. Nothing found. He speculated that the header tank filler cap may not be sealed tight & that's where the smell comes from. I'll keep a close eye on it - see if it settles down. I had not looked at it for more than a year before this.
Title: Re: Coolant leak?
Post by: Morris Minor on September 03, 2022, 02:27:52 AM
Okay well it it did settle down. went on a long run yesterday - level never budged.
Now I need to give it an autumn  clean.