strange smell, help please

Hello, bought the wife a 2002 5 dr 1.8 with 85k on it, bought from dealer with RAC warrentee so no massive headache....yet. When it is hot there is a bit of a smell coming from under the bonnet, it has had the Head Gasket replaced with the newer ford part and runs well, no smoke, no gung inside the oil filler cap etc but has this smell, a little like a chemically smell, nothing on the drive afterwards but obviously coming from somewhere. Any ideas?!


Thanks in advance

Miles

Milesg said:

Hello, bought the wife a 2002 5 dr 1.8 with 85k on it, bought from dealer with RAC warrentee so no massive headache....yet. When it is hot there is a bit of a smell coming from under the bonnet, it has had the Head Gasket replaced with the newer ford part and runs well, no smoke, no gung inside the oil filler cap etc but has this smell, a little like a chemically smell, nothing on the drive afterwards but obviously coming from somewhere. Any ideas?!


Thanks in advance

Miles

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hairdryer left on? .....

nigel8 said:

hairdryer left on? .....

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nah, some buggers left the perming solution in there

yous aint bin givin er tratter boy er lift int gaylander . . . .if you have ,thats yer smell

Thank you but none of the above I'm afraid. Anyone got any real ideas?

Milesg said:

Hello, bought the wife a 2002 5 dr 1.8 with 85k on it, bought from dealer with RAC warrentee so no massive headache....yet. When it is hot there is a bit of a smell coming from under the bonnet, it has had the Head Gasket replaced with the newer ford part and runs well, no smoke, no gung inside the oil filler cap etc but has this smell, a little like a chemically smell, nothing on the drive afterwards but obviously coming from somewhere. Any ideas?!


Thanks in advance

Miles

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sounds like screenwash. If it were antifreeze it'd smell a bit like curry.

ratty said:

sounds like screenwash. If it were antifreeze it'd smell a bit like curry.

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Thanks chaps. TedShred, what was it in the end? Matrix or Screenwash?

I will be checking both tonight!!

Miles.

I ended up with a new engine under the Network Q warrenty and it has now gone!!

The Head gasket had gone and they could not get a good seal which is why it was replaced

I have checked this over the weekend, the smell is 'kind of' there but seems better with more water about!! Not wet behind stereo dash so fingers crossed not matrix.

Any other thoughts or is it just another Hippo thing I need to get used to!

Hi guys, I got out again tonight after the Mrs came home with it and I think it could be described almost as a bit of a curry like smell. Which could mean antifreeze loss - any ideas where to start, loose pipes or is it something more sinister. As I said, no smoke, gunk in cap or water in oil.

Cheers,

Miles

Milesg said:

Hi guys, I got out again tonight after the Mrs came home with it and I think it could be described almost as a bit of a curry like smell. Which could mean antifreeze loss - any ideas where to start, loose pipes or is it something more sinister. As I said, no smoke, gunk in cap or water in oil.

Cheers,

Miles

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Are you losing any coolant at all?

Next time you get the smell pop the bonnet and squeeze the hoses to check they are full of coolant, not overpressurising and are not too hot to touch.

Have a look for a leaks too. If it is a very slow leak it may evaporate as it comes out to make it hard to spot. Keep your eyes open for white powdery streaks (dried antifreeze/coolant).

cheers ratty, they seem to have some pressurising in them * - losing a 'little' fluid over a week or so but it does have white streaks in the engine bay - will check the pipes over!

* = when I squeeze the pipes the fluid in the expansion tank rises and falls.

Milesg said:

cheers ratty, they seem to have some pressurising in them * - losing a 'little' fluid over a week or so but it does have white streaks in the engine bay - will check the pipes over!

* = when I squeeze the pipes the fluid in the expansion tank rises and falls.

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If the streaks are around the expansion tank area it could be where it is overpressurising and the cap is allowing the pressure out. It COULD be poss head gasket on the way out. The pressure in the system could be gasses from the engine. I would get a sniff test done on it and if that comes up clear then get the cylinders compression tested. If you think it is just a coolant leak but can't see where from then get your local garage to pressurise the coolant system with the engine cold (they will use a pump to build the pressure up) to see where the leak is without the coolant evaporating before you can see it.

Right - it is losing fluid and I can see lime green coloured (coolant I think) - have looked everywhere and it is collecting on pipes near the fan belt and oil filter side - but I cannot see exactly where from. Before I throw it in to the garage does anyone have any suggestions?!

At least it is not the HGF!!

Radweld

Radweld. Really nervous about using this stuff - are there any massive issues with putting it in?

Thanks in advance again - will nip to Halfords if all clear!

do not use - likely to exacerbate HGF probability.

Milesg said:

Radweld. Really nervous about using this stuff - are there any massive issues with putting it in?

Thanks in advance again - will nip to Halfords if all clear!

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It likes to seal thermostats closed. I wouldn't recommend it's use.