Something stinks

JasonMarshall · June 2nd, 2008, 03:20 PM

OK, so I have added a 91 LX 5.0 to my list of cars. Since I have picked it up on Thursday, I have been getting a strong antifreeze odor on the outside of the car. There are no seen leaks, I verified today that there is not a blown head gasket with a chem test of the antifreeze. Anyone have any idea's? I originally thought it was a blown head gasket because I thought there was oil in the radiator and it misses at high rpms. But now that we have checked that...... I'm clueless!

78mach1 · June 2nd, 2008, 03:23 PM

ok so explain exaclty how you tested it, i recommend a cylinder leakage test cause that does sound alot like a blown head gasket

JasonMarshall · June 2nd, 2008, 03:25 PM

A buddy that has a garage chem tested the antifreeze for oil. Its much faster than a compression test. All he has to do is pull some antifreeze from the radiator and place it in a chem solution that changes color if there is any trace of motor oil.

78mach1 · June 2nd, 2008, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by JasonMarshall

A buddy that has a garage chem tested the antifreeze for oil. Its much faster than a compression test. All he has to do is pull some antifreeze from the radiator and place it in a chem solution that changes color if there is any trace of motor oil.

yes i understand the way it works, i use one that pulls co2 out of the antifreeze. but that doesnt mean its completely accurate.

just do a quick cylinder leakage test and that will tell you 100%

sixpack · June 2nd, 2008, 04:51 PM

+1 on the cylinder test i would think that is a blown head gasket my dads truck was like that and there wasnt any oil in the antifreeze but it did have a blown head gasket

fogged306 · June 2nd, 2008, 07:44 PM

Check your oil and see if it looks like a milkshake.

91cobra5.0 · June 2nd, 2008, 08:03 PM

HEATER CORE, mine was like that too but i could smell it inside also and it would smoke twoards the very end before i replaced it

JasonMarshall · June 2nd, 2008, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by fogged306

Check your oil and see if it looks like a milkshake.

Nope, not that I can see anyways....

ujslost · June 2nd, 2008, 11:35 PM

have the coolant system pressure tested that will show where the leak is for sure.

JasonMarshall · June 3rd, 2008, 07:50 AM

So far I have yet to be able to tell if there is a leak..... I have no antifreeze or oil for that matter on the driveway. I haven't had to add any fluids at all either.

hopper · June 3rd, 2008, 07:55 AM

sounds like a small crack in the heads or head gasket. Sometimes there is just a trace amount that seeps through either one of these mentioned cracks, and is burnt throuout combustion. do a system pressure test, then pull the plugs and look closely for foweling or moisture on the tips, while you are there do a cylender check. I have encountered this before. hopefully you do not have a cracked cylender.

r.barn · June 3rd, 2008, 08:41 AM

I'd put $100 on it being the heater core.

Common.
Check drain hole on passenger firewall.

78mach1 · June 3rd, 2008, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by r.barn

I'd put $100 on it being the heater core.

Common.
Check drain hole on passenger firewall.

but that doesnt explain the intermitant miss fire

ujslost · June 3rd, 2008, 01:54 PM

no but a head gasket would ! so check cylinder for water and water coming from tailpipes

78mach1 · June 3rd, 2008, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by ujslost

no but a head gasket would ! so check cylinder for water and water coming from tailpipes

yep

do i have to say it agian...........CYLINDER LEAKAGE TEST

that wiill tell you all

ryans88gt · June 3rd, 2008, 03:52 PM

Could be that the previous owner spilled some antifreeze... That smell hangs around for a little while.

I have never had a blown head gasket smell like antifreeze...lol If it is leaking antifreeze, you'll see it eventually and the level should be going down.

Intermittent missfire? Could be any number of things. First thing to do when you get a car like this is a leak down test and compression check.

June 2nd, 2008, 03:20 PM	#1
JasonMarshall Newbie 2002 V6/1967 Mustang Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denison, Texas Posts: 37 iTrader: 0 reviews	Something stinks OK, so I have added a 91 LX 5.0 to my list of cars. Since I have picked it up on Thursday, I have been getting a strong antifreeze odor on the outside of the car. There are no seen leaks, I verified today that there is not a blown head gasket with a chem test of the antifreeze. Anyone have any idea's? I originally thought it was a blown head gasket because I thought there was oil in the radiator and it misses at high rpms. But now that we have checked that...... I'm clueless! __________________ 2002 V6 Mustang/ 5 Spd, cold air, flowmaster exhaust, Hedman Headers 1991 LX 5.0 Convertible, Flowmaster 40's 1991 LX 5.0 Hatch, offroad h pipe, Flowmaster 40's 3.77's with a locker

June 2nd, 2008, 03:25 PM	#3
JasonMarshall Newbie 2002 V6/1967 Mustang Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denison, Texas Posts: 37 iTrader: 0 reviews	A buddy that has a garage chem tested the antifreeze for oil. Its much faster than a compression test. All he has to do is pull some antifreeze from the radiator and place it in a chem solution that changes color if there is any trace of motor oil. __________________ 2002 V6 Mustang/ 5 Spd, cold air, flowmaster exhaust, Hedman Headers 1991 LX 5.0 Convertible, Flowmaster 40's 1991 LX 5.0 Hatch, offroad h pipe, Flowmaster 40's 3.77's with a locker

June 2nd, 2008, 04:51 PM	#5
sixpack Regular 91 lx vert Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Golden,MS Posts: 251 iTrader: 0 reviews	+1 on the cylinder test i would think that is a blown head gasket my dads truck was like that and there wasnt any oil in the antifreeze but it did have a blown head gasket __________________ If you aint breaking parts your not going fast enough

June 2nd, 2008, 11:35 PM	#9
ujslost MM Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Albertville, AL Posts: 3,920 Blog Entries: 1 iTrader: 1 reviews	have the coolant system pressure tested that will show where the leak is for sure. __________________ 1986 Mustang GT t-top time piece!

June 3rd, 2008, 07:50 AM	#10
JasonMarshall Newbie 2002 V6/1967 Mustang Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denison, Texas Posts: 37 iTrader: 0 reviews	So far I have yet to be able to tell if there is a leak..... I have no antifreeze or oil for that matter on the driveway. I haven't had to add any fluids at all either. __________________ 2002 V6 Mustang/ 5 Spd, cold air, flowmaster exhaust, Hedman Headers 1991 LX 5.0 Convertible, Flowmaster 40's 1991 LX 5.0 Hatch, offroad h pipe, Flowmaster 40's 3.77's with a locker

June 2nd, 2008, 03:23 PM	#2
78mach1 Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: utah Posts: 1,365 iTrader: 0 reviews	ok so explain exaclty how you tested it, i recommend a cylinder leakage test cause that does sound alot like a blown head gasket

June 2nd, 2008, 07:44 PM	#6
fogged306 MM Fanatic 89 GT Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NY Posts: 4,875 iTrader: 2 reviews	Check your oil and see if it looks like a milkshake.

June 2nd, 2008, 08:03 PM	#7
91cobra5.0 Hardcore Enthusiast 98 Cobra Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 2,057 iTrader: 0 reviews	HEATER CORE, mine was like that too but i could smell it inside also and it would smoke twoards the very end before i replaced it

June 3rd, 2008, 07:55 AM	#11
hopper Regular Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 390 iTrader: 0 reviews	sounds like a small crack in the heads or head gasket. Sometimes there is just a trace amount that seeps through either one of these mentioned cracks, and is burnt throuout combustion. do a system pressure test, then pull the plugs and look closely for foweling or moisture on the tips, while you are there do a cylender check. I have encountered this before. hopefully you do not have a cracked cylender.

June 3rd, 2008, 08:41 AM	#12
r.barn Regular 1989 LX Vert - 1993 Notch Fast Join Date: May 2008 Location: Houston Posts: 398 iTrader: 0 reviews	I'd put $100 on it being the heater core. Common. Check drain hole on passenger firewall. __________________ The last President elected in anger of previous President was ....... Jimmy Carter God Help Us

June 3rd, 2008, 01:54 PM	#14
ujslost MM Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Albertville, AL Posts: 3,920 Blog Entries: 1 iTrader: 1 reviews	no but a head gasket would ! so check cylinder for water and water coming from tailpipes __________________ 1986 Mustang GT t-top time piece!

June 3rd, 2008, 03:52 PM	#16
ryans88gt MM Fanatic Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bloomington, IL Posts: 4,737 iTrader: 0 reviews	Could be that the previous owner spilled some antifreeze... That smell hangs around for a little while. I have never had a blown head gasket smell like antifreeze...lol If it is leaking antifreeze, you'll see it eventually and the level should be going down. Intermittent missfire? Could be any number of things. First thing to do when you get a car like this is a leak down test and compression check. __________________ 88 GT CHI headed 351w 10.8 @ 125 - still figuring it out. 03 Cobra 2.3 whipple 10.7 @ 129 - sold it 04 Mach 1 12.7 @ 109 mostly stock - sold it 89 LX procharged 302 515 hp 497 ftlbs 10.7 @130 mph - sold it

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