Strong smell coming out of the car on startup

Haoie · 12-04-2019, 09:04 PM

As title says, at random times I would smell some sort of rich smell, I have some issues with my coolant and how the top tank isn't completely filled. Could the strong smell be a result of coolant leaking into a gasket?

Jaxcam02 · 12-04-2019, 09:17 PM

Strong smell like what, gas, oil, sweet smell?

Haoie · 12-04-2019, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaxcam02

Strong smell like what, gas, oil, sweet smell?

It has a sweet smell to it, I would notice clear smoke coming from the exhaust whenever I would smell it too but today was just the smell

caSStro18 · 12-04-2019, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haoie

It has a sweet smell to it, I would notice clear smoke coming from the exhaust whenever I would smell it too but today was just the smell

First need to figure where the smell is coming from. Is it coming from the exhaust? If you pop the hood can you smell it there? These cars let out some smoke on cold starts, so that’s normal.

arpad_m · 12-04-2019, 11:44 PM

Sweet smell most likely means you have a coolant leak, I'd check the hoses and the radiator first.

LT4Greg · 12-05-2019, 06:26 AM

Could be a coolant leak somewhere in the cooling system.

pabex · 12-05-2019, 08:06 AM

I do have some type of smell too on startup but tbh I havent payed attention on whether its sweet or what. I just assumed it was normal startup smell. Ill look out tomorrow when I start it up. all you camaro owners, do you experience any kind of smell at all during startup?

LT4Greg · 12-05-2019, 09:19 AM

Yes gas and oil smell mix on start up when it’s cold but mostly oil smell and no blue smoke out of the tailpipes. Perfectly normal!

pabex · 12-05-2019, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LT4Greg

Yes gas and oil smell mix on start up when it’s cold but mostly oil smell and no blue smoke out of the tailpipes. Perfectly normal!

gotchya, that might be it for mee too

Justcruising · 12-05-2019, 10:12 AM

The only smell I get is the sweet smell of gas as the converters heat up, I could be wrong on that but all of my cars have smelled that way as they warm up

c4racer · 12-05-2019, 10:30 AM

These DI V8's start up very rich so there is unburned fuel in the exhaust - especially with an extended crank period when cold which is also much more common on these cars.

all normal and all very different from previous LS motors too.

My carb motor in the 71 starts up quicker than my LT1!

MackSteelPrivateEye · 12-05-2019, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haoie

It has a sweet smell to it, I would notice clear smoke coming from the exhaust whenever I would smell it too but today was just the smell

Oh Lord.

Sounds like a failed head gasket. I hope its under warranty.

MackSteelPrivateEye · 12-05-2019, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haoie

It has a sweet smell to it, I would notice clear smoke coming from the exhaust whenever I would smell it too but today was just the smell

Wait a sec...you say clear smoke. Is it in fact clear or is it white?

ctrlz · 12-05-2019, 12:27 PM

Reservoir low and sweet smell. Sounds like coolant leaking onto exhaust part. Any drips under the car?

12-04-2019, 09:04 PM	#1
Haoie Drives: 2017 50th Anniversary SS Join Date: May 2018 Location: Florida Posts: 83	Strong smell coming out of the car on startup As title says, at random times I would smell some sort of rich smell, I have some issues with my coolant and how the top tank isn't completely filled. Could the strong smell be a result of coolant leaking into a gasket?

12-04-2019, 09:17 PM	#2
Jaxcam02 Drives: 2017 Silverado/2017 ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Jax/Palatka FL Posts: 1,090	Strong smell like what, gas, oil, sweet smell? __________________

12-04-2019, 11:44 PM	#5
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,625 View My Garage	Sweet smell most likely means you have a coolant leak, I'd check the hoses and the radiator first. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

12-05-2019, 06:26 AM	#6
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,813	Could be a coolant leak somewhere in the cooling system. __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

12-05-2019, 09:19 AM	#8
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,813	Yes gas and oil smell mix on start up when it’s cold but mostly oil smell and no blue smoke out of the tailpipes. Perfectly normal! __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

12-05-2019, 08:06 AM	#7
pabex Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: New Jersey Posts: 123	I do have some type of smell too on startup but tbh I havent payed attention on whether its sweet or what. I just assumed it was normal startup smell. Ill look out tomorrow when I start it up. all you camaro owners, do you experience any kind of smell at all during startup?

12-05-2019, 10:12 AM	#10
Justcruising Drives: 2019 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Florida Posts: 275	The only smell I get is the sweet smell of gas as the converters heat up, I could be wrong on that but all of my cars have smelled that way as they warm up Last edited by Justcruising; 09-26-2020 at 02:04 AM.

12-05-2019, 10:30 AM	#11
c4racer Drives: 2016 SS Convertible Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: California Posts: 1,108	These DI V8's start up very rich so there is unburned fuel in the exhaust - especially with an extended crank period when cold which is also much more common on these cars. all normal and all very different from previous LS motors too. My carb motor in the 71 starts up quicker than my LT1!

12-05-2019, 12:27 PM	#14
ctrlz Drives: 2017 2SS, 50th pkg, M6, MRC, NPP Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Ocean City, NJ Posts: 3,181	Reservoir low and sweet smell. Sounds like coolant leaking onto exhaust part. Any drips under the car?

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