Cold start coolant smell?

[hibernatingbear]

Hey guys,

I have an 82 rabbit and occasionally before the car is warmed up I'll smell a faint sweet smell of coolant. It doesn't look like I'm losing any coolant, no signs of a blown HG. Only issue I'm having is a leaking IP (small leak), which I'm going to be replacing very soon.

The lower coolant hoses have been recently replaced cause they were original and start leaking a few weeks ago. Any chance it's still old coolant just burning up? I doubt it but not sure.


Any other suggestions?

I'm going to do a compression test before I do the IP. I'm consider getting a pump from Giles but don't want to invest in that if the HG is going.

And I did search here and the vortex but didn't see anything similar to my issue.

Cheers and thanks.

[RunninWild]

is your coolant level dropping? Is your carpet wet? Maybe your heatercore?

[hibernatingbear]

Coolant level appears good but I haven't been measuring it.

I was wondering about the heater core, but no wet carpet. It's odd

[RunninWild]

If your coolant level isnt dropping, and you dont see any leaks under the hood or under the car I wouldn't worry about it.

[TylerDurden]

If your core is leaking slightly, you may notice traces of coolant vapor on your windshield. It will smear when you try to wipe it.

[hibernatingbear]

I do see vapor when I first start it! Stupid me, I didn't connect the two.

It's gotta be the heater core just starting to go. The previous owner did swap out an 82 Jetta dash, so maybe the hoses aren't connected properly.

At least I'm less worried about it.