Antifreeze Smell Thread

[Bohdan]

This is sooo bad having the Coolant Smell. While shopping yesterday a couple came up to us and asked how we love our Cruze. We said all is great with our Car however you should join this site and see what is going on with this GM Model . I had mentioned that on some of the Cruze models they arrive with this Coolant Air Freshener smell and this problem has been with GM for a few years now .

[obermd]

Thanks for your input. Since you are a GM tech can you tell us if the coolant smell in the engine compartment is normal for the Cruze in general even when no leaks are apparent?

I'm not a GM tech, but coolant smell is definitely not normal in any car. The coolant system is supposed to be a "sealed" system.

[GMMASTERTECH]

Coolant smell under hood with no level loss could be pressure cap venting (purging pressure)..Although the coolant bottle apears to have no vent tube it does actually built into the tank.If you remove the cap cold you will see a hole just below the threads that actually is the vent molded into the tank and it routed to the bottom of the tank....Most techs just pressure test the system and unless it drips there is no leak....They never test the cap...Its either they forget or dont have the $58 doller adapter to fit the cap(I do)slight venting is normal but only in High temp conditions(90f+)..have them test the cap should hold +5psi over rated pressure for 5 min..less=cap fails...Now with slight loss and smell on passenger side I am 95% sure its a water pump leak that is burning off before it reaches the splash shield....Best way to Identify these types of leaks is KENT LEAK TRACE POWDER sprayed on suspect area and warm engine to operating temps and then pressure test and look for p owder to be disturbed..(and it will)show the tinyest leaks...Hope this info help....Please let me know if you have any more cruze ? I own a 2011 eco some mods but I will never Tell ..34 city 41 highway..47k

[dby2011]

Coolant smell under hood with no level loss could be pressure cap venting (purging pressure)..Although the coolant bottle apears to have no vent tube it does actually built into the tank.If you remove the cap cold you will see a hole just below the threads that actually is the vent molded into the tank and it routed to the bottom of the tank....Most techs just pressure test the system and unless it drips there is no leak....They never test the cap...Its either they forget or dont have the $58 doller adapter to fit the cap(I do)slight venting is normal but only in High temp conditions(90f+)..have them test the cap should hold +5psi over rated pressure for 5 min..less=cap fails...Now with slight loss and smell on passenger side I am 95% sure its a water pump leak that is burning off before it reaches the splash shield....Best way to Identify these types of leaks is KENT LEAK TRACE POWDER sprayed on suspect area and warm engine to operating temps and then pressure test and look for p owder to be disturbed..(and it will)show the tinyest leaks...Hope this info help....Please let me know if you have any more cruze ? I own a 2011 eco some mods but I will never Tell ..34 city 41 highway..47k

the dealer already replaced the bottle and pressure cap once and then replaced the pressure cap again. There is always coolant smell in the engine compartment regardless of the temp- it was there today in 39 degree weather. They have it overnight to try to pressure test it tomorrow. If they come back and tell me there is nothing wrong I don't know what else to do- I guess I just have to accept that this is how the car is?

[Jim Frye]

I guess I just have to accept that this is how the car is?

I really don't think anyone should have to accept that. Hang in there until obermd tells us what happens with the dye experiment on his Curze. At least your smell is not inside the cabin. Also, we are waiting for XtremeRevolution to get information on the disappearing coolant/water pump issue. I've never had a car that smelled of coolant that didn't have a leak, nor one that lost coolant without a trace, so this is a learning curve for us (and likely Chevy). I take that back. I had a '62 Impala SS that had a small head gasket leak, but that was ID'd in the oil. I'm guessing there may be more than one issue with the Cruze cooling system and it's going to take some time to ferret them out.

[2013 cruze]

ive got a brand new 2013 eco cruze and ive smelt this since day 1 and figured it was breaking in, ive smelt antifreeze every time ive popped the hood but cant see nothing and im almost at 4k miles. i better look into this

[Jim Frye]

ive got a brand new 2013 eco cruze and ive smelt this since day 1 and figured it was breaking in, ive smelt antifreeze every time ive popped the hood but cant see nothing and im almost at 4k miles. i better look into this

Keep track of the fluid level in the overflow tank. Measure it when the motor is cold and note the miles on the odo.

[dby2011]

Dealer just called- they pressure tested and found no leaks- nothing around the water pump. They said levels have not lowered since it was repaired a few weeks ago. They checked other Cruzes and they also have slight cooolant smell- they claim is from the bottle venting. I just dont know what to say- I guess I am just going to have to accept this - I can't afford to take a loss at this point

[Chevy Customer Service]

ive got a brand new 2013 eco cruze and ive smelt this since day 1 and figured it was breaking in, ive smelt antifreeze every time ive popped the hood but cant see nothing and im almost at 4k miles. i better look into this

2013 cruze,
I would like to apologize for this issue that you are experiencing with your Cruze. I would suggest that you have your dealer look into this for you. Please keep me posted on the progress with your dealer. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Thank you,
Stacy Chevrolet Customer Service

[cruzeman]

This is a design flaw without any fix. If there was one I would think gm would have done so already and if they do know how to fix it probably costs to much money to make the repair. Gm gave me 5 grand to walk away with my car and the problem.