deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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Well, my 12v has been driving absolutely fine, but as it's a relatively high miler (67k) I check the oil frequently, at least 2 times a week.
No mayo what so ever, and the usual bit of white after a short journey i.e. condensation.
Anyway, I thought of smelling the coolant tank today, as that is another sign of the head gasket going (murky water and smelling of exhaust fumes).
So yeah, I smelt it, and it seems to smell of. . .toffee sauce or something like that  but not really exhaust fumes 
Is this just the smell of the anti-freeze, or should it smell of nothing?
The antifreeze is relatively new, as I had a new radiator etc about 2k miles ago.
Thanks 
Deano 
[Edited on 03-05-2007 by deano87]
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CorsaKen1
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Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire
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probably is alright when my head gasket went the coolant smelt really vile like a fishy type of smell
edit: - apperantly to check coolant for head gasket signs start it when engine is cold with the coolant cap off and check for bubbling which it should not have - but don't quote me on that
[Edited on 03-05-2007 by CorsaKen1]
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Kurt
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Registered: 23rd Oct 05
Location: Hi
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you can get a sniffer test done too, you put this chemical in like a turkey baster type thing and it sniffs the tank and changes colour if it finds emissions/carbon monoxide in the header tank which are signs of a failed gasket
[Edited on 03-05-2007 by kurtofcc]
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
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Deano Man, you need to stop worrying! You will know when a head gasket goes, it really does go!
Antifreeze does have a little bit of a wiff, but until there is major mayo and the coolant seems an oily colour, itlll be fine!
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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pah, it must be fine.
pow - I do worry, ever since my missus engine has gone kaput at only 55k miles 
Ken - I don't think it really bubbles.
It doesn't use hardly any oil, no blue smoke and no mayo so I knew I was fine, just wanted to see what it should smell like
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CorsaKen1
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Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire
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if it runs perfectly - sounds as normal, fluids stay the same (i.e. coolant, oil) etc then no need to worry - in my personal honest opinion
mines got a few leaks and the engine looks a mess but runs very well very economical and keeps all its fluids but I used to be the same worrying about something and always under the bonnet and even under the car checking
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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Yeah, another reason I asked is because there is oil, like thick, sticky and not running on some of the joins/seals on the engine, but everything seems fine. I suppose that is what is to be expected for an 'old' engine!
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CorsaKen1
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Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire
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mines older being 13 yrs with 74000 (no sh) on the clock and me doing 400 miles a week - yours has another 7/ 6 years on mine just think like that and mines still going strong (should not have said that lol)
in reard to the above have you had a oil change recently?
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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quote:
Originally posted by CorsaKen1
mines older being 13 yrs with 74000 (no sh) on the clock and me doing 400 miles a week - yours has another 7/ 6 years on mine just think like that and mines still going strong (should not have said that lol)
in reard to the above have you had a oil change recently?
Not for 7k miles. Was serviced on exactly 60,000 miles (no actually joking ) so the next service is due very soon. I do about 1k miles a month.
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
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I get mine done every 5k, keeps the engine healthy
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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Could do it myself really, but no point now until the full service.
The oil is still really clean and looks healthy, so never really done it.
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CorsaKen1
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Registered: 22nd Nov 06
Location: Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire
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The oil I do according to haynes which is 9000 - I do everything according to the haynes manual - bit worried about the 18000 mile service as it covers brake fluid coolant renewal spark plugs etc could get a tad expensive
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
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But in contrast, the Vauxhall manual says the coolant should last the lifetime of the vehicle 
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topshot_2k
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Registered: 1st Dec 03
Location: Northampton Drives: Pug GTi-6
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my coolant smells sweet, i change it every year
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deano87
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Registered: 21st Oct 06
Location: Bedfordshire Drives: Ford Fiesta
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by topshot_2k
my coolant smells sweet, i change it every year
Sweet, that is another word to describe it looks like mine is fine then 
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