smelling coolant while i drive

[malloynx#2]

i worked on my car 2 days ago and now i smell coolant while i drive. last night i was driving it hard and there was coolant steaming out of the engine bay. i don't know where it was coming from and the car wasn't over heating. the only thing i can think of is that it's coming from the TB. i have a big dee tb spacer and i took my tb off the other day and i used the old gaskets. i wonder if there is a bad seal and coolant is getting in my engine or whatnot. but if i was seeing the coolant steam then it can't be going in the engine, maybe i have busted hose or something.. i need some advice on things to check..

[Big Tymer]

i get the same problem exact..... i cant find where its coming from... i never see the coolant low when i check it.....

[Distephano]

Watch your water pump. My car smelled like coolant for 2 days. Then, I got home from work, and there was steam. I opened the garage door, and pulled in. When I walked back outside, there was a big puddle of coolant outside the door. The water pump went out, sprayed coolant all over the engine, thus making steam.

I'd watch it carefully, chances are you are smelling the coolant boiling away on the engine now, if that goes out while you are driving, and you lose all your coolant quickly, you could be in a lot of trouble. Check the weep hole on the water pump to see if any is coming out there. If so, then it is for sure the pump.

Otherwise, check your hoses, ect.

[Distephano]

Oh sorry, didn't read the part about the TB Spacer. I'd check that really well, cuz seeing at though, thats what you just messed with, it would most likely be the culprit.

[malloynx#2]

yea i'm going to find the problem tomorow. i'm going to drive the car hard for like 15 min and see where the steam is coming from. the way it was steaming last night, i doubt it is the tb spacer cause i would have a vacuum leak and my idle would be bad. i have a good ldle. also where is this wee little hole on the water pump.

[apiccola]

There is a plastic bypass pipe connecting the belt tensioner assembly and the lower intake. It's not easy to see, but you can inspect it by using a mirror. The pipe is hidden underneath the portion of the upper intake manifold that lays above the timing cover/water pump. The pipe costs about $9.00 at a dealership.

[malloynx#2]

do i need to change this plastic pipe or what. also what does a new water pump cost

[ January 12, 2003: Message edited by: malloynx#2 ]</p>

[malloynx#2]

well i started the car today and i let it get real hot (190) and i popped the hood and the coolant steam was coming from the water pump area. i think my pump is going bad or something. do i need to replace the water pump or what?

[malloynx#2]

i just changed the waterpump everything is working fine. no more coolant smell :D