Smelling coolant

[5strmtrp]

Hey guys been a while. With my accident that took me out of commission far longer than I ever wanted. The loss of my wife’s mom and my step son all in a matter of 2 weeks it’s been a rough ride.

ok ok, been driving the Tahoe a lot! Recently starts smelling/tasting coolant outside of the truck when I park it.

Coolant level is constantly at the correct level.

However, the upper hose is rock hard once the truck warms up. I know it’s hot side of the radiator reverse flow, but is this a sign of a possible water pump. Currently nearing the 120,000 mile range. If it’s the pump I have Sunday to do this.

Thanks
Paul
5trmtpr

 

[wjburken]

Hey guys been a while. With my accident that took me out of commission far longer than I ever wanted. The loss of my wife’s mom and my step son all in a matter of 2 weeks it’s been a rough ride.

ok ok, been driving the Tahoe a lot! Recently starts smelling/tasting coolant outside of the truck when I park it.

Coolant level is constantly at the correct level.

However, the upper hose is rock hard once the truck warms up. I know it’s hot side of the radiator reverse flow, but is this a sign of a possible water pump. Currently nearing the 120,000 mile range. If it’s the pump I have Sunday to do this.

Thanks
Paul
5trmtpr

Sorry to hear that life has dealt you a pretty tough hand lately.

Are you getting any heat out of the vents?

 

[CaptainAmerica1]

With the engine not running... WITH THE ENGINE NOT RUNNING... grab the water pump pulley and see if there’s any play...

 

[OR VietVet]

Yea, what you are smelling and tasting is likely a leak and may be at the water pump weep hole. A mirror and light can look for the corrosion stain there. Or seepage someone where else. Heater hoses at the firewall and tee's area. May need to pressure test system, both cold and warm.

 

[PG01]

Hey guys been a while. With my accident that took me out of commission far longer than I ever wanted. The loss of my wife’s mom and my step son all in a matter of 2 weeks it’s been a rough ride.

ok ok, been driving the Tahoe a lot! Recently starts smelling/tasting coolant outside of the truck when I park it.

Coolant level is constantly at the correct level.

However, the upper hose is rock hard once the truck warms up. I know it’s hot side of the radiator reverse flow, but is this a sign of a possible water pump. Currently nearing the 120,000 mile range. If it’s the pump I have Sunday to do this.

Thanks
Paul
5trmtpr

Hey Paul, my 13 I bought brandy new has the same smell.... probably since new.... I just check the overflow every now and then and top it off if need be.
That said, my radiator drips, not leaks, drips, since new-ish about 20k. Driver side plastic crap tank of radiator, drips onto the frame rail, evaporates and never hits the ground. I had the dealer I bought it from look at it when I brought it in for a new rear shock that was leaking and they claimed no leaks from radiator ..... it was under warranty so that explains that.....I’ve driving it like that since newish and I’ll get the whiff of coolant every few weeks check the over flow and fill if it needs. Just something to look at. Mine is an lt with towing pkg, etc so it should be same as your ssv in that area.

 

[FrankU]

Don't overlook the plastic heater "T" fittings on the firewall , notorious for weeping. Sneaky little suckers.

 

[5strmtrp]

Sorry to hear that life has dealt you a pretty tough hand lately.

Are you getting any heat out of the vents?

plenty of heat into the truck

 

[1BADI5]

Don't overlook the plastic heater "T" fittings on the firewall , notorious for weeping. Sneaky little suckers.

Yup, was exactly what I dealt with about 2 weeks ago. I went to the dealer, bought both of them and got it done in about 45 mins

 

[Geotrash]

Yup, was exactly what I dealt with about 2 weeks ago. I went to the dealer, bought both of them and got it done in about 45 mins

Good call. I went with the billet tees from gruvenparts.com for both rigs and also used the Dorman metal Y to replace the one that sits down by the water pump. It's a good feeling to know I'll never have to deal with that problem again.

 

[FrankU]

Those Gruven T's are sure expensive, but it gives piece of mind that the plastic T's don't.

Link to Gruven parts :

https://www.gruvenparts.com/billet-gm-heater-core-coolant-tees/