ooo that smell - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chrislehr · 03-01-2008, 08:16 PM

After running her a little hard, I am getting a sickening sweet smell. Antifreeze, I figure. I have no leaks.. however, the radiator usually hisses for a little bit while its cooling down. The smell's pretty pungent... sign of a failing head gasket? Anyone? Other things to look and check?

350 - stock - never rebuilt

I checked oil, and added a quart, low but still a wet stick
the tranny (powerglide) fluid is actually pink, so no burning there I don't think....

Bishops Trucks · 03-01-2008, 08:28 PM

Look at your oil, if it's brownish white looking you have a head gasket going on it. Check your floorboard on the passengers side for dampness, that would indicate a bad heater core. Can you trace where the hissing is coming from on your radiator, could be a small pin hole.

chrislehr · 03-01-2008, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bishops Trucks

Look at your oil, if it's brownish white looking you have a head gasket going on it. Check your floorboard on the passengers side for dampness, that would indicate a bad heater core. Can you trace where the hissing is coming from on your radiator, could be a small pin hole.

Hissing is at the seal on the hole - I think its an aftermarket one and doesnt have a perfect fit, but there isnt a leak there either. I did the oil a while back, not frothy or milky.

Bus Ted Knuckle · 03-01-2008, 08:32 PM

Radiator cap probably needs replaced. Take to a shop and have them pressure test you cooling system, that'll tell you if you have a leak. And it should cost very little to have done. If you were local, I would be happy to do it for you for free.

Bishops Trucks · 03-01-2008, 08:33 PM

The hole you talking about for the cap? If so, get a new cap and start from there.

greasy68 · 03-01-2008, 09:54 PM

Yep, I would go with a new cap and see what happens. It should not hiss.

chrislehr · 03-02-2008, 01:43 AM

Turns out I was way off. That sick sweet smell was acid eating my metal.

Battery was cooking cause the voltage regulator and alternator went south.

$100 installed for a higher amperage one with an in unit regulator.

The place was AWESOME btw. They rebuild starters and alternators, and have a decent amount of mail order only business from it. Anything custom, bigger batteries, bigger alts, etc.

If anyone needs em, I would recommend em.

Plus, 4 hour turn around from calling them to fixed on a Friday afternoon - you just CANNOT beat that

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&r...ator%2C+austin

LONGHAIR · 03-02-2008, 02:32 AM

The only "cooking" batteries I every was near smelled like rotten eggs. The water boils off and the sulfuric acid is concentrated.
I has it happen to me just outside of St.Louis on the way to Texas....from Ohio. Nothing like a road-trip breakdown or the story that goes with it.

**truckster** · 03-02-2008, 04:17 AM

BTW, that was a great Skynyrd song.

chrislehr · 03-02-2008, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckster

BTW, that was a great Skynyrd song.

I take great pride in choosing catchy subjects

LONGHAIR · 03-02-2008, 06:28 AM

...........Oak tree you're in my way

Joes69c10 · 03-02-2008, 08:51 AM

Have a blow for your nose....

BurnoutNova · 03-02-2008, 09:12 AM

now i got to go find my lynyrd cd! lol

pyro883 · 03-02-2008, 07:18 PM

Lynyrd rocks nothing is better then litsening to a good ole lynyrd cd while cranking out some work on the truck

Joes69c10 · 03-03-2008, 05:39 AM

After I posted last night I kept singing it to myself.

03-01-2008, 08:16 PM	#1
chrislehr Engine n00b Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Austin Posts: 1,031	ooo that smell After running her a little hard, I am getting a sickening sweet smell. Antifreeze, I figure. I have no leaks.. however, the radiator usually hisses for a little bit while its cooling down. The smell's pretty pungent... sign of a failing head gasket? Anyone? Other things to look and check? 350 - stock - never rebuilt I checked oil, and added a quart, low but still a wet stick the tranny (powerglide) fluid is actually pink, so no burning there I don't think....

03-01-2008, 08:28 PM	#2
Bishops Trucks KEEP ON TRUCKIN' Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sterling, Va. Posts: 5,730	Re: ooo that smell Look at your oil, if it's brownish white looking you have a head gasket going on it. Check your floorboard on the passengers side for dampness, that would indicate a bad heater core. Can you trace where the hissing is coming from on your radiator, could be a small pin hole. __________________ JIM '97 GMC Sierra K1500 '95 Chevy Silverado C1500 '71 Cheyenne Z71 / LT1 & 4-Speed SWB K/10 Father/Son Project http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l689JKXPnA http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php "LIVIN' FREE FOREVER"

03-01-2008, 08:32 PM	#4
Bus Ted Knuckle Son of a gun Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 1,636	Re: ooo that smell Radiator cap probably needs replaced. Take to a shop and have them pressure test you cooling system, that'll tell you if you have a leak. And it should cost very little to have done. If you were local, I would be happy to do it for you for free. __________________ Bill BEATERS ARE NEATER

03-01-2008, 08:33 PM	#5
Bishops Trucks KEEP ON TRUCKIN' Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sterling, Va. Posts: 5,730	Re: ooo that smell The hole you talking about for the cap? If so, get a new cap and start from there. __________________ JIM '97 GMC Sierra K1500 '95 Chevy Silverado C1500 '71 Cheyenne Z71 / LT1 & 4-Speed SWB K/10 Father/Son Project http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l689JKXPnA http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php "LIVIN' FREE FOREVER"

03-01-2008, 09:54 PM	#6
greasy68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: austin texas Posts: 202	Re: ooo that smell Yep, I would go with a new cap and see what happens. It should not hiss. __________________ Mike 68 C10 LWB midnight blue metallic 307ci, 700R4, HEI front discs, leaf spring rear tilt steering wheel, stock ride height, rally wheels, 2007 Dodge Charger(Hemi)

03-02-2008, 01:43 AM	#7
chrislehr Engine n00b Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Austin Posts: 1,031	Re: ooo that smell Turns out I was way off. That sick sweet smell was acid eating my metal. Battery was cooking cause the voltage regulator and alternator went south. $100 installed for a higher amperage one with an in unit regulator. The place was AWESOME btw. They rebuild starters and alternators, and have a decent amount of mail order only business from it. Anything custom, bigger batteries, bigger alts, etc. If anyone needs em, I would recommend em. Plus, 4 hour turn around from calling them to fixed on a Friday afternoon - you just CANNOT beat that http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&r...ator%2C+austin

03-02-2008, 02:32 AM	#8
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	Re: ooo that smell The only "cooking" batteries I every was near smelled like rotten eggs. The water boils off and the sulfuric acid is concentrated. I has it happen to me just outside of St.Louis on the way to Texas....from Ohio. Nothing like a road-trip breakdown or the story that goes with it.

03-02-2008, 04:17 AM	#9
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,976	Re: ooo that smell BTW, that was a great Skynyrd song.

03-02-2008, 06:28 AM	#11
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	Re: ooo that smell ...........Oak tree you're in my way

03-02-2008, 08:51 AM	#12
Joes69c10 Proud Father Join Date: May 2007 Location: Duff, Tn. Posts: 102	Re: ooo that smell Have a blow for your nose.... __________________ 1969 Chevy C/10 "My dad's, May he rest in peace" 1988 GMC Suburban 1/2 ton 2wd 1952 Ford F-600 1989 Toyota P/U "The Beater"

03-02-2008, 09:12 AM	#13
BurnoutNova Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,057	Re: ooo that smell now i got to go find my lynyrd cd! lol Last edited by BurnoutNova; 03-02-2008 at 09:13 AM.

03-02-2008, 07:18 PM	#14
pyro883 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Beaufort, SC Posts: 244	Re: ooo that smell Lynyrd rocks nothing is better then litsening to a good ole lynyrd cd while cranking out some work on the truck

03-03-2008, 05:39 AM	#15
Joes69c10 Proud Father Join Date: May 2007 Location: Duff, Tn. Posts: 102	Re: ooo that smell After I posted last night I kept singing it to myself. __________________ 1969 Chevy C/10 "My dad's, May he rest in peace" 1988 GMC Suburban 1/2 ton 2wd 1952 Ford F-600 1989 Toyota P/U "The Beater"

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.