Antifreeze smell

[sakirfp]

My 2004 ST XLT 4.0 OHC w/ 208K miles has a antifreeze smell when i first starting it up in the mornings...My first guess is that I have a coolant leaking because of a bad head gasket. Is replacing the head gaskets worth the trouble or should I start looking for another motor. I would like to keep the truck for another several years.

Firman

 

[Ageman]

If the smell is on the inside it could be your heater core.

 

[sakirfp]

I think it is on the outside but I will confirm that for sure tommorow...

 

[Joe Dirt]

It could be anything from a seeping radiator seam, leaking water pump, water pump gasket, heater core, heater lines, whole bunch of different things- why do you think it's a head gasket- are there symptoms of coolant in the oil?

 

[sakirfp]

There is no water in the oil...I check that every time. I did have to change the thermostat housing last Jan. I have no leaking fluids on the ground...
I just thought it might be the head gasket because I have 208K..

 

[Joe Dirt]

Nah- doesn't mean the head gaskets, they're honestly not a huge problem even at those miles.

You'll have to scour the engine bay and look for crusty white stuff. Lots of coolant leaks will burn off before they even get to the ground.

 

[motorkingracing]

My 2004 ST XLT 4.0 OHC w/ 208K miles has a antifreeze smell when i first starting it up in the mornings...My first guess is that I have a coolant leaking because of a bad head gasket. Is replacing the head gaskets worth the trouble or should I start looking for another motor. I would like to keep the truck for another several years.

Firman

Hi,
I am the tech manager at Prestone. If you are experiencing this smell at start up it could be the heater core leaking. Have the system pressure checked. You can rent the tool needed to do this from autozone or advance auto parts.
Pressurize the system while it is cold and look for leaks. A heater core leak will show up as coolant leaking from under the dash or out the evaporater drain.

 

[Type 3 TJ]

Where do ya'll think this is coming from? I was thinking the upper thermostat housing but cant really see it.

Sorry for the hijack.