Honda Car Forum

I have a 1996 Honda civic. For the past 2 days I smell a sweetish (slightly pungent) smell as soon as I park the car turn it off and get out (it goes away after a minute or so). I traced the smell to the point that its coming thru the radiator fins. Checked oil, coolant, ATF and dont seem to see any problems and their levels are fine too. Also no obvious signs of leaking coolant or white smoke coming out of exhaust. Would appreciate if anybody could give a hint as to what is causing this smell ? BTW I can only smell it if I get out of my car after I turn it off and I have never noticed the smell inside the car....so theres no smell inside even if I turn heater or ac on (both working fine also I checked). Also the weather has turned a bit cold the past few days so dunno if that is one of the reasons for this?!?!

Its anti freeze.

The sweet smell is coolant. You must have a leak somewhere, keep looking.

A sweet smell is the radiator fluid. (It almost smells like maple syrup)

maybe a pin holein a line?

sounds like coolant seapage,it doesnt take much to be noticable,have the system pressure tested for leaks

Antifreeze leak some where need to get checked by a mechanic he or she can do a pressure test if it run hot the motor is shot need to get it fixed.It want cost much to fix it now but it can if you let it go.

that sweet smell is anti-freeze . you got a leak somewhere.ethell glycole is the only thin that smells sweet .

You have a bad heater core....Good luck

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