Smell Antifreeze

[VIPER1996]

I am wondering how big a problem I have. My 94 has 27000 miles and sometimes when the temp gets over 210 for a long period of time I can smell antifreeze when I get out of the car. I can't smell anything when I am driving. I have read about head gaskets, but when I changed my oil on the hoist I didn't see any leakage or water tracks. Could this smell be coming from heater hoses or thermo gasket. Is there something else common on these cars that I need to look for that can cause this problem. Also I bought the car used so I don't know all the prior service history. The guy said that he never had any problems.????? Thanks for the help.

 

[Flexx91]

Had the same problem on my '96 RT/10. Smelled anitfreeze but didn't notice any leaks. Turn out the leak was coming from the thermostat housing gaskets. There was no evidence of a leak because the coolant and dripping onto the hot intake manifold.

 

[Doug Supercharged Vipers]

This may not be the "text-book" diagnosis but can be somewhat informative for quick leak detection.

Thermostat detection:
Look at the top of the intake manifold, follow all the way back (under the wiper cowling) you will see the thermostat crossover. More often than not, the crossover gaskets where they attach to the heads tend to leak. See if you can get a visual and note if there is evidence of coolant discoloring (powdery whitish) at the attachment points.

Next for head gaskets:
Look on the underside of the engine and locate where the heads attach to the block. If you see any evidence of "trailing coolant" mostly located in the center of the block you may have found your coolant culprit coming from the head gaskets.

Note: This is only for a basic reference

.
Regards,
Doug

 

[dansauto]

Mine did not have a strong oder. I just noticed that I had to add antifreeze every couple of months. It is hard to see down on the head seam from the top (easier to look up) Then I saw the white residue (coolant trails)

I had a Chrylser mech. do mine one weekend in my shop. He bought the headset at the dealership he worked at and I check the P/N with Chuck Tator to make sure it was the "new" style. It took him about 8 hrs to to the job from start to finish. Not too bad. I think any competant mechanic with a manual can do it. espcially on that has done Neon head gaskets as the new Neons were also know for this problem and the new Neon gaskets are similar to the new Viper gaskets (in material) Make sure your mechanic uses the "teflon" spray on the new gaskets and torques the right sequence and foot/lbs.

 

[picflight]

I would suggest replacing the thermostat and gaskets first if they haven't been replaced yet. It shouldn't be that expensive especially if you can tackle this yourself. Not many tools are need to do this. A replacement thermostat would be peace of mind if it is 8 years old.

Once replaced you can then see if you are experiencing the same problem and move down the trouble shooting stages.

Good luck.

 

[Jeff Torrey]

It would not hurt to retourk the bolts on your thermostat crossover tubes before you change anything. They tend to loosen up over time. If you get it before it blows you may be able to safe yourself a lot of aggrevation. I have read that changing your head gaskets runs around $ 1750.00.

 

[JonB]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by VIPER1994:
....Why do the head gaskets go bad..... If it was the head gaskets wouldn't I find some spots on the garage floor and wouldn't it have a stong odor all the time?....<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


The gaskets go bad due to cylinder liner creep, a function (generally) of miles. You are a prime candidate for head gaskets.

No, it initialy just seeps / weeps down the hot block and evaporates before it piddles on the floor.....resulting in an acrid aroma, and no puddles. Just pecker-tracks on the block below the heads...... You got it, bruddah..... PartsRack has the gasket kits as well.......(thanks)

 

[garolittle]

Dude. Listen to Jon B. because he knows his stuff. Also, buy from Jon B. because he sells good stuff.

 

[VIPER1996]

Thanks for the help, I have some more questions. If it is the head gaskets can I have a good Dodge mechanic install them? How exspensive should it be. Why do the head gaskets go bad. If it was the head gaskets wouldn't I find some spots on the garage floor and wouldn't it have a stong odor all the time?