Smell of coolant continues; to drive or not to drive?

[joedelica]

Hi All,

I have pulled away all carpets and lower dash cover to attempt to investigate the smell of coolant in the cabin, but with no luck I cannot find a leak anywhere. The level of coolant does not appear to be changing. My question is this, I am heading out on a big trip up north with no mechanical services anywhere near my destination, so should I go or resist taking it out of the Lower Mainland with this gremlin? It has been like this for a few months.

Thanks,

Joe

[nxski]

If your coolant levels aren't changing then I can't see why it would be a concern. Bring a bottle of water with you perhaps and keep monitoring the level. Is it possible that some coolant was spilled on the carpet a while ago and the smell just won't go away?

[nxski]

or take a leaf out of Hammonds book... @ 3:10

[jessef]

If your coolant level doesn't change, coolant itself is in good shape and you have no leaks, then you're probably smelling it through the heater core inside the cab. One little drop in the heater system will make it smell like coolant inside.

After it sits overnight, take off the rad cap. If it's under pressure, you may have a head gasket issue. If it pops off normally (no pressure - like when it's hot) then you're good.

If the rest of your rig is good, I wouldn't hesitate to go.

Just as a precaution you should pay the $110 and get the BCAA premium membership that allows for 320km's of towing. Trust me. It is worth it.

Had it not been for BCAA, getting towed from Revelstoke to vancouver would've cost me close to 2,000. Instead I paid 500.

And it takes 48 hrs to kick in once you join.

[joedelica]

Thanks Jesse,

Checked the rad cap and the good news is that it was not pressurized. I did neglect to mention that I also have an occasional loss of power under acceleration. Don't know if the two could be related? Thanks also for the BCAA advice, good idea, as I am heading up to Watson Bar.

Joe

[jessef]

buy two can of seafoam from Napa or Lordco. Dump one in the tank and get a new fuel filter and dump the other in the new filter before you spin it on.

Go out on the highway for 30-40km's at 100km/hr and you'll burn whatever deposits you had in the lines/injectors out.

[lopar]

buy two can of seafoam from Napa or Lordco

Do not know if it has always been available, but Crappy Tire has Seafoam available, picked some up last night.

Cheers

[joedelica]

Worked like a charm today as per your instructions Jesse and yes lopar, Cdn Tire has it!
Not that I wanted to learn how to install a new fuel filter, but I did and ran it up to Squish
and the hesitation is gone. Acceleration good. Temperature good. Fluid levels good.
(Still a wiff of coolant every now or then though.)

Cheers,

Joe

[jessef]

Two dollar !

[TardisDeli]

Hey Joe, make sure to change yr air filter also, it is amazing the difference it makes, especially with hesitation on acceleration ,,,, just do it even if you think well its only a bit dusty. Cheers, Christine.

[jessef]

Air filter is not as restrictive on L400's compared to L300's.

The flow on the 4M40's with the intercooler can suck air through a brutally clogged air filter whereas the L300's 4D56 would choke.

[joedelica]

Jesse,

Is the $2 for you or for my labour???
Have a great weekend and thanks again.

Joe

[jessef]

both !