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      07-20-2012, 06:52 AM   #1
lbjgh
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Sweet smell of antifreeze

On occasions I get the sweet smell of antifreeze coming through the vents in my car.

It only happens when the a/c is off.

I'll have to monitor more closely to see when it happens but from recollection it occurs after the car has been unused for a bit... Say mid day when i head out for lunch.

I've got no warning lights about fluid levels yet.
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      07-20-2012, 06:53 AM   #2
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Just simple humidity odor... no?
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      07-20-2012, 07:46 AM   #3
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No. Antifreeze.
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      07-20-2012, 09:35 AM   #4
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To be honest I don't even have a vague idea of what the smell of antifreeze is like.... You should check in your car floor if there are any traces of humidity, as there must be some radiators that use the coolant circuit fluid to warm the car when in winter. So if there are leaks there you smell it and should also find some wet/humid spots.
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      07-20-2012, 10:25 AM   #5
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Nothing inside the car.

I thought the antifreeze might be overflowing from the radiator reservoir as the temps have been in the mid to high 30's the last couple of weeks.

(antifreeze) has a very distinctive odour... you'd know it if you smelled it.
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      07-20-2012, 11:49 AM   #6
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Just throwing something out there and not sure if this is what you're describing. But what I smell is the windshield washer fluid at times when I hit the sprayer while driving.
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      07-20-2012, 11:56 AM   #7
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Yep I've noticed that too... that's why I thought it might be antifreeze overflow outside the car.

Quote:
Originally Posted by daninny View Post
Just throwing something out there and not sure if this is what you're describing. But what I smell is the windshield washer fluid at times when I hit the sprayer while driving.
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      07-20-2012, 12:21 PM   #8
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Have to admit the washer fluid they use is really strong compared to the stuff I normally use
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      07-20-2012, 02:43 PM   #9
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I love the smell of antifreeze in the morning.
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      07-20-2012, 04:05 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWLVX View Post
I love the smell of antifreeze in the morning.
I love drinking antifreeze ... Please do not try this at home
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      07-20-2012, 04:12 PM   #11
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everyone is a comedian!
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      07-20-2012, 09:56 PM   #12
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You only smell this when he AC is off?
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      07-21-2012, 01:40 AM   #13
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Is this a new issue or has it been present since you took delivery?

I would take it in to the dealer.Typically an antifreeze smell means a bad heater core.
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      07-21-2012, 08:59 PM   #14
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It only occurs when the A/C is off.

If the heater core had a leak I'd expect the carpet to get wet no?

The antifreeze reservoir is located on the drivers side right at the fire wall.
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      07-22-2012, 01:53 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lbjgh View Post
It only occurs when the A/C is off.

If the heater core had a leak I'd expect the carpet to get wet no?

The antifreeze reservoir is located on the drivers side right at the fire wall.
Not necessarily ...could be a very small leak in a hose or hose connection... or a weeping heater core.

I'd take it to the dealer.
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      07-25-2012, 02:38 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by torzeck View Post
Not necessarily ...could be a very small leak in a hose or hose connection... or a weeping heater core.

I'd take it to the dealer.
+1
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      07-25-2012, 09:45 AM   #17
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I'll wait till I've got some time to take the car in.

I do notice a haze on the inside of the windshield that I've wiped off a few times. (hmm, do you guys get this too)

The car has a reoccurring passenger restraint fault and a lump under the driver side arm rest that needs to be addressed so maybe I have enough stuff to warrant a visit to the dealer.

I just hate to have anyone monkey with my car because the car is never the same once the mechanics put the tools to the car.
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      07-25-2012, 10:32 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lbjgh View Post
I'll wait till I've got some time to take the car in.

I do notice a haze on the inside of the windshield that I've wiped off a few times. (hmm, do you guys get this too)

The car has a reoccurring passenger restraint fault and a lump under the driver side arm rest that needs to be addressed so maybe I have enough stuff to warrant a visit to the dealer.

I just hate to have anyone monkey with my car because the car is never the same once the mechanics put the tools to the car.
I get a haze on mine too, but I just attribute it to the dashboard off gassing.
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      07-25-2012, 10:44 PM   #19
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Antifreeze smells tasty, which I'd forgotten until our '96 Impreza smelled tasty for a few days. Water pump seal failed. But as long as they were in there I told them to change everything around there, belts, hoses, oil pump (maybe?).
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