mclld

I have a 2001 EX, completely stock with 228k miles. Awhile back it was getting hot so I replaced the radiator and also replaced the water pump/timing belt(shop did that part). When I got it back I noticed it was still getting hot so I took it back in and found out I had a leaking head gasket so I had that replaced. Now my car runs fine but I am noticing a odd smell that I cant really describe. I am wondering if it is related to these jobs I had done. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

It could be related, could not!

Is it a sweet smell? Rotten egg smell? Burnt rubber smell?

So it seems as though it was mis diagnosed in the first place since the problem did not go away with the radiator/water pump replacement.

ezone

Sickeningly sweet smell is usually antifreeze.
Could be leftover from the work done, or maybe not.

Return to your installer and have them recheck it.

mclld

The first shop I took it to I just told them I needed the water pump/timing belt job done, they did that and I discovered it was still getting hot so i took it to another mechanic who told me I had a leaking head gasket. He pointed out the leak under the intake manifold where steam was coming from and I could see water leaking. I do not have any leaks now, I would say the smell is a really sweet sickening scent.

ezone

Even a tiny little minor ooze of antifreeze can make a whole lot of stink, might be good to have a recheck by the one that did the head gasket.

How long ago was this work done? Hours/days/months?

If the work/spill area wasn't thoroughly rinsed down with fresh water, it can take a while for the smell of spilled coolant to dissipate.

mclld

I just got it back a couple days ago, I put about 500 miles on it since then. I have a small amount of steam coming from my cap, I took my cap off and the piece in the middle was melted looking. I assume this was from before I had all my work done and it got real hot on me. I also am missing my reserve tank lid. Could this be the cause?

xRiCeBoYx

iTrader: (22)

Yeah, I'd bet.

mclld

I will post a pic of my cap shortly to see if you think I should replace it

ezone

Get a closeup of the inside of the radiator neck too.

mclld

Ok I snapped some pics, it had been sitting for about 30 minutes

ezone

Cap looks bad, replace that right away. Probably almost any parts store should have one.

Neck of the radiator doesn't look like it's damaged in the pic.
I don't see enough junk in the neck to be a concern, wipe out the flakes of whatever the residue is and fill it to the top with coolant.
Install new cap.

Make sure the overflow bottle is filled to the MAX line too.
You can use any old lid to cover it until you can get a correct part. (Cap might be laying somewhere, trapped where it couldn't be seen when it got dropped)

Overflow reservoir cap is part # 19109-PH1-620, about $6 at a dealer

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...=RADIATOR+HOSE

mclld

When I got my car back I had put a used battery on it and it kept dying. I took the battery off today and it looks like it was leaking acid, could that have been my smell? I bought a new cap and have not put it on an test drove it yet.

ezone

Battery won't make any smells that smell even remotely like sweet.

mclld

Well maybe sweet was the wrong word, it was nasty either way.

ezone

Oh no, hot antifreeze is definitely a sickeningly sweet smell.


Battery gassing and some typical acid activities would smell like sulfur or rotten egg farts.

mclld

I drove it today and the smell is gone, it must have been the battery