Coolant smell.

[Loobed]

When I pop my hood to check the oil, I smell coolant. I can't find a leak or see any wet spots. The coolant reservoir looks a little lower, but I park on a slight incline so I can't be 100% sure. My cooling system has a pressurized overflow tank type system (GM). I think the coolant reservoir cap might be bad and is letting out some coolant vapor. Can the cap be checked like and old fashion radiator cap? ? Any other ideas where the smell is coming from?

 

[salv]

External intake gasket leaks.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: salv
External intake gasket leaks.
his 5.3 has a dry intake. ck the gaskets between the water pump and block,the plastic heater fittings where the heater hoses go under the cowl and the plastic radiator tanks

 

[SAATR]

Originally Posted By: salv
External intake gasket leaks.


If it's the truck in the OP's sig, the intake is dry, as on all LS series engines. Rent a cooling system pressure test kit from AA or AZ and check the cap and system yourself. If the cap holds its rated pressure, use the tester to apply that same pressure to the reservoir and start looking for drips or puddles. Good places to start are the water pump and thermostat housing. Make sure all hose connections are tight, and that no rubber lines have had holes rubbed in them. There should also be a hard, metal coolant crossover tube running from head to head at the front of the engine, which you will want to check where it bolts to the intake at each end.

^^ Beat me to it

 

[Dakota1820]

part stores will check the cap for free