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[markrl]

Hi, I've got something of a smell of hot coolant noticeable when you get out the car after a journey but no obvious coolant loss at the coolant reservoir. My wife has noticed this for some time as she has a rather more acute sense of smell but I could never really smell it. However finally I can now smell it as well. My initial feeling was a hose or the HBV but looking tonight in the dark with a torch after returning home it seems a little wet under the drive belt flywheels. Is this likely to be the water pump that’s beginning to let go ? Car is a 3 litre V6 with 70k miles that’s had the cam belt changed twice during its life last time 18 months ago at the main dealer (but no water pump change = bugger). I’m still a little puzzled by the fact the coolant level in the reservoir is not noticeably dropping but the smell is there and in the dark with a very bright LED torch the wet at the bottom of the engine is easier to spot. Top rear of the engine and hoses look dry. Bottom beneath the drive belt wheels looks wet    Any of you experienced guys out there got any advice/comments before I get a garage to take a look. Many thanks in advance.    

[achoo81]

Sounds very much like the water pump is going don't worry it's not driven by the cam belt.
Also check the two little hoses that feed water to the throttle body for splits.

[Mike Collins]

My 2.6 has always had a slight coolant smell after shutdown, no noticeable loss. It's now around 130000 miles and hasn't come to any harm.

I think it may just be pressure venting from the cap, if the engine isn't hot enough to trigger the run on fan and pump.

[kevinv6]

mine has the same smell. with no leaks in fact i just fitted myself a new water pump, oil cooler, thermostat, heater bypass valve and new cap

 

[markrl]

Many thanks for the replies I'm rather concerned that something will let go large but mystified why no obvious coolant loss that I can notice despite a recent 700 mile journey. There is what smells like antifreeze dripping onto a hot manifold.  I will have a closer look when its light tomorrow. Car is 3 litre Elite manual full service history at main dealers and mint condition, everything works (even all 4 heated seats). May well let the garage have a look it would be a pity to trash the engine with a catastrophic sudden coolant loss. Doubtless the garage will trash my wallet.

[markrl]

Thought I'd give you a quick update on this one for the sake of completeness. Good garage that I've used many times (for my old Senators and not Main dealer) has had a look today. Jury is still out on coolant leak but they did find one of the rocker covers leaking slightly and oil driping onto exhaust head shield. No oil in plug wells. Also sump gasket appears to have a slight leak. No coolant leak at the HBV or water pump but will strip and investigate furher next week when they get all the gaskets. The smell may be burning oil on exhaust shield but my money is on a coolant leak yet to be found but must be very slight. They will clean the breather system prior to fitting rocker cover gasket. Only one side leaking apparently. Will keep you updated  .      

[Omega3]

Funny one this. All three of my Omegas over the years have had this smell, I've noticed on more occassions than I can remember. My last two Omega's were aquired with only approx 8,000 miles on the clock and both have had this smell after a run. Never been able to get an answer as to why and no coolant loss on either car. I'd also be interested in any ideas from the experts out there.

[Entwood]

Its not unknown for the neck of the header tank to get hairline cracks, these will leak hot VAPOUR not liquid, as the system is very hot pressurised, when these vapours escape they are even hotter and can smell quite strongly. It takes very little vapour  to make a pungent smell (think arse/beer/curry    )

[albitz]

advise your garage to use vauxhall oe gaskets for the cam covers,aftermarket ones will leak again,also the correct sealant must be used.

[pscocoa]

I have a 3.2 V6 and had the same problem 4 years ago when car was in last week of original 3 year warranty.

To cut a long story short VX traced the leak to the bottom of the V being the oil cooler plate (you will see this referred to in other threads/posts on this subject) but then  also found a distortion in the the cylinder head - I was only losing a few drops of water but the smell was always around - they also rpepaced the cylinder heads and everything else under warranty. Has been fine since but I suspect you could drive round with that condition for years as others suggest - ie. you could run up some huge bills when it is something you could live with

[markrl]

Just thought I'd give an update on this one which has now been sorted (I hope). Slight oil leak from rocker cover sorted and breathers cleaned. Slight coolant leek found at thermostat housing which was a bit furred up. Coolant system drained and flushed. Slight leak at sump fixed by replacing sump gasket. Over 7 hours labour with all the stripping and reassembly and all now appears well. Total bill with parts £491 (London rates) .      

[Darth Loo-knee]

Just thought I'd give an update on this one which has now been sorted (I hope). Slight oil leak from rocker cover sorted and breathers cleaned. Slight coolant leek found at thermostat housing which was a bit furred up. Coolant system drained and flushed. Slight leak at sump fixed by replacing sump gasket. Over 7 hours labour with all the stripping and reassembly and all now appears well. Total bill with parts £491 (London rates) .      

I have just done the very same job today for the same reason..