It's been freezing the last few weeks (36-40F) so I use the remote start to warm the engine a few minutes before I get in the car . When I get in the car I turn on the heater and yesterday morning I noticed a funny smell. I need a tune up so I didn't really think much of it.

This morning, no remote start, but I had the heater cranked up to 85F for about 15 minutes while driving on the freeway. when I got out of the car there was this strange burning smell coming from the engine. I opened the oil cap - not it. Sniffed around and just couldn't find the source. Turned the heater of and the smell seemed to have went away. I just had an oil change and my fluid levels were fine.

Any ideas before I take it into the shop?

Thanks in advance.

//Darius

 

Maybe you smelling antifreeze,heater core could be cloged.Does it smell like syrup?

 

I don't remember it smelling sweet?

Would it be the same smell if I opened the cap on the radiator?

//

 

Almost,but not quite.Its a "weird" smell very hard to explain.

 

Rotten eggs? Catalitic converters? Maybe it's just your cabin air filter begining to get old and foul.

 

Yes! I smelled it again tonight. It DOES smell like syrup. What does that mean? IS it serious or just some leaves that may have gotten caught in the engine bay somewhere?

//

 

Sweet smell is a sign of coolant burning.

 

So is that okay or do I need my radiator flushed?

//

 

check for any signs of leaks near heater core. I believe when you activate the heater, it opens the valve for the coolent to enter the core. So there might be a leak after the valve.

 

Bad heater core.Might be behind the dash board.Not to sure on a GS.

 

A sickly sweet smell is usually a heater core gone bad. However, you usually also see "fog" coming through the vents and your windows can get a sticky buildup on them if you use the front defroster.

 

So this heater core sounds serious. I dont see any fog or steam coming from the vents but the smells is clearly there. Maybe if I don't get it taken care of soon, the steamy fog will follow.

Where can I find a heater core? Prior to this thread I've never hear of it.

Thanks for all the help!!!

//Darius

 

sounds like ur heater core is leaking. check ur coolant res. if its low