smell of coolant in cabin

hitopred · Post by **hitopred** » 03 Aug 2011, 18:43

I have a 1998 v70 awd turbo, just got at an auction. One week later I have the smell of coolant in the cabin. Checked the oil, looks fine, checked the floor under the dash, all dry. What am I missing?

Credit2u · Post by **Credit2u** » 03 Aug 2011, 18:51

If it is burning coolant, the smell will easily permeate the cabin. Are there any visable leaks on the ground? Do you see steam coming from anywhere when the engine is hot? Look aroung the head gasket as well to make sure you don't have a blown head gasket. Any white smoke coming from the exhaust? How does the exhaust smell? (not advocating stiking your face in the tailpipe for any protracted period, just see if you catch a whif from that end)

That is where I would start, hope it is of some help.

Post by **jblackburn** » 03 Aug 2011, 18:53

Crank up the heater and sniff the air vents. If the smell gets very strong, the heater core is to blame.

They can leak a small amount like mine did that never reached the carpet. It just fizzled all over the fins and dried up, but the smell was still pretty strong.

hitopred · Post by **hitopred** » 03 Aug 2011, 19:03

No leaks on the ground, no white smoke and head gasket looks good. Is there a good way to check the heater core for a small leak?

Post by **jblackburn** » 03 Aug 2011, 19:10

Sure - pull the cover off and look. It takes 15 minutes to get in there.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=40547