I have a 2003 Chevy Express 1500, I've had it for 2 years and since I bough it, after driving for a while I would smell coolant only when I get out of the van. I've had it to the shop to investigate the smell and they did a pressure test and looked it over and found nothing. It's been 2 years now and nothing has gone wrong with it and nothing has ever been found, but still smell coolant after driving. Does anyone have any experience with an issue like this or have any suggestions..? Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

 

Well its coming from somewhere. Are you adding coolant to your Chevy? No leak out of the climate control box?

 

No the coolant level hasn't ever gone down, never had to add any..

 

Are you checking your coolant reservoir level? I'm hoping your heater core ins't leaking. Even a small amount of coolant would cause this smell.

Were I you I'd try some Alumiseal. If the heater is leaking very slowly, this should seal it up. It wont plug your radiator or heater up either. You'll have to add it with the motor hot, then drive it with the heater on full. I hope this helps you out.

 

Thank you I appreciate the advise!!

 

Try to scan the entire engine compartment; the leak could be coming from somewhere else under the hood. If the smell is stronger inside your vehicle than outside of it, the problem could be inside the heater.

 

Something to keep in mind,
Performing a cooling system pressure test when the coolant is warm or hot is not accurate because the parts expand and a leak may not show up.
It should be done when cold.
If a water pump seal is seeping , the trace of coolant is there and the seep stops when warm, but the odor gets blown around the engine comparment and because the leak is only visible at the bottom of the water pump , it may not be easily found.

 

OP says this has been going on for 2 years, and he's never added coolant. Doesn't sound like a leak to me. Even a tiny one that you can smell over 2 years should eventually require some coolant. Maybe he's just smelling coolant fumes when it expands back in to the reservoir?? I believe the reservoir has a vent on it.

 

You are most welcome, Hykes. That is what we are here for.

 

Sure, most have a small hole in the middle of the reservoir cap.to vent the air.