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Coolant leak (or sweet smell)
High — fix right away
You find a green, pink, or orange puddle under the car, or you smell a sweet syrup-like odor from the engine. The coolant level in the reservoir keeps dropping.
Possible causes
- Leaking radiator hose — Most likely · Codes: P0117P0118
Check first: Squeeze the radiator hoses with the engine cold. Soft spots, cracks, or bulges mean a hose is about to fail. - Bad water pump — Possible · Codes: P0115
Check first: Look for coolant dripping from the front of the engine and listen for a whining sound. Both point to the water pump. - Cracked radiator or reservoir — Possible · Codes: P0128
Check first: Look for white or colored crusty stains around the radiator and the coolant reservoir. Stains mark where coolant has dried.
Questions, answered
What usually causes this?
The most likely causes are: Leaking radiator hose; Bad water pump; Cracked radiator or reservoir. If you are not sure what is wrong, have it checked by a qualified technician.
Is it safe to drive with this symptom?
No — stop driving and get it checked. This symptom can mean a serious problem.
Not repair advice. If you are not sure what is wrong, have it checked by a qualified technician. Cars differ by make, model and year.
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