Coolant smell while towing
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
Coolant smell while towing
I have a 2005 with the 6.0 PSD. When towing an enclosed trailer, it's about 5K, with a 8K tow program I get the smell of coolant. The gauge still sits about midway, factory gauge, and the truck seems to run fine but the smell is bothering me. As far as I can tell there's no leaks and the bottle isn't boiling over. I also don't put it in tow/haul since I have the program. Is this anything I should worry about?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
No smoke, level is fine. Just went from Orlando Fl to Murphy NC and level is good. Smell is mostly in the cab. Might even be coming from AC vents because the smell isn't really noticeable outside the truck till you pop the hood. But again, no noticeable leaks.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 516
Likes: 0
From: LA = Lower Alabama
Where there's smoke, there's fire - as they say. It's hitting something hot and turning to steam obviously - just gotta track it down. My buddy had the same issue and it turned out to be that it was a prequel to loosing his head gaskets. Not trying to scare you, but find the source...
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 1
From: Middleburg, FL
First, have you checked for codes? If not, I'd get them checked and go from there.
Second, if you're relying on the dash gauge, it's not really going to show a problem until you are way overheated and then it will sky rocket to H in a heart beat. Strongly recommend you get an Insight, scangage, or something similar so that you can really see what your temps are doing.
Third, if you're not getting any codes, start with a simple item first. That being your coolant reservoir cap. It may not be holding pressure any longer and allowing coolant vapors to escape, some of which are being ingested into your vent system.
Second, if you're relying on the dash gauge, it's not really going to show a problem until you are way overheated and then it will sky rocket to H in a heart beat. Strongly recommend you get an Insight, scangage, or something similar so that you can really see what your temps are doing.
Third, if you're not getting any codes, start with a simple item first. That being your coolant reservoir cap. It may not be holding pressure any longer and allowing coolant vapors to escape, some of which are being ingested into your vent system.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
first thing in troubleshooting is to determine what changed since it worked fine last time...
Then eliminate variables...
I would go back to stock right now just to ensure your coder didn't send you the wrong tuning program ....
many autozones, etc sell the scangauge and it is perfect for temp testing...
and while you are there, they can check codes for you....
good luck !
fyi, I had the same issue last year or two where I smelled it and the overflow bottle burped with the white residue all over....
it was the coolant level too high (should be at Minimum when cold) and the cap didn't hold pressure...
has run fine since then - course I DO keep up with all the maintenance like coolant swap, etc...
Then eliminate variables...
I would go back to stock right now just to ensure your coder didn't send you the wrong tuning program ....
many autozones, etc sell the scangauge and it is perfect for temp testing...
and while you are there, they can check codes for you....
good luck !
fyi, I had the same issue last year or two where I smelled it and the overflow bottle burped with the white residue all over....
it was the coolant level too high (should be at Minimum when cold) and the cap didn't hold pressure...
has run fine since then - course I DO keep up with all the maintenance like coolant swap, etc...
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