Why does my car smell sweet, like syrup?
A sweet, syrupy smell almost always means coolant (antifreeze) is leaking and evaporating on a hot engine part. If the smell is inside the car, especially with a foggy windshield or a damp passenger floor, the heater core may be leaking. Check the coolant reservoir when the engine is cold and watch the temperature gauge. A small leak can become an overheating engine.
Where coolant leaks come from
- Radiator hoses and heater hoses: cracked rubber or loose clamps
- The radiator: plastic end tanks crack with age
- Water pump: leaks from its weep hole when the seal wears
- Thermostat housing gasket
- Heater core: inside the dashboard; smell in the cabin, damp carpet
- Head gasket: white exhaust smoke, coolant loss with no visible leak
What to check
- With the engine cold, look at the coolant reservoir level.
- Look for green, orange or pink crust or drips around hoses and the radiator.
- Watch the temperature gauge on your next drive.
Never open the radiator cap on a hot engine. The coolant is under pressure and can spray and scald.
What we do
We pressure test the cooling system to find the leak, show you where it is, and replace the failed part. On older cars, we'll also tell you which other hoses look close to their end, so you can decide whether to replace them together.
From drivers who came to us
They had the best price… to get my radiator replaced. I also had a check engine light on and they were able to diagnose and fix that by adding more transmission fluid.
Excerpts from verified customer reviews on Yelp.
More questions
Is it safe to drive with a coolant smell?
For short trips, if the temperature gauge stays normal and the reservoir isn't empty. If the gauge rises or you see steam, pull over.
Why is my windshield fogging with a greasy film?
That often points to a leaking heater core, which releases coolant vapor into the cabin. The film can be hard to wipe off.
Can I just top up the coolant?
As a short-term measure, yes, with the type your car specifies, and only when the engine is cold. Then find the leak.