That Sweet Smell Is Your Coolant Leaving

Old vs. new coolant reservoir, side by side

A syrupy-sweet smell around the car, fog on the windshield, or a low reservoir — the coolant is going somewhere.

Finding where it went

Coolant leaves three ways: outside (water pump, radiator, hoses — look for pink, orange or green residue), into the engine oil (a milky dipstick — stop driving), or out through the heater core (sweet fog and a damp passenger floor). Each has a very different repair, which is why we pressure-test the system rather than guess.

Quick tips

Never open a hot radiator cap — let it cool completely
Note the puddle color: coolant is bright, oil is brown, A/C water is clear
A reservoir that needs topping every week is a leak, not evaporation

Need hands on the car instead of more reading? VIPCANIC comes to your driveway anywhere in the South Bay, 24 hours a day — call (310) 340-6775.

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Finding where it went

Quick tips

Stranded, stuck, or just done with repair shops?