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MG MGF Technical - Worrying Smell!!

Hi Guys,

Wonder if you can help. the other day, and again this morning I could smell a strange smell in the car. It only lasts for a minute or so and then goes away. The first time I wrote it off as coming from the car in front, but the second time I thought I had better start to investigate. Checked the coolant level when I got to work and it was about 3/4" below the seam. Will check again at lunch and see if this is any different again.

Could anyone suggest where to look for leaks? I'm gonna start going round the car at lunch and see if there is anything obvious.

Thanks in advance for any advice

Phil
Phil Brindley (Work)

Phil,

The smell means an external leak, so a quick list, probably not exhaustive:

rad bleed screw
rad fins
heater matrix
underfloor pipes
hoses (clips and splits)
head gasket above alternator (sorry but had to include this)

Any signs on the floor when the car is standing?

Hoses will need removal of engine bay cover to check and small splits will only leak when engine hot.
Dave Livingstone

Phil, can you chance a try at describing the smell?

Last nights curry? Old socks? Rapidly drying antifreeze leak?

My car gets a "clutch smoke" type smell every now and then. Stronger when I open the rear luggage compartment. Goes away after 30 mins and stays away for weeks.
JohnP

Heater pipes leaking coolant into car! are the carpets damp around the heater, leaking radiator ? as it gets warm you might get a wiff of antifreeze, leaking front to back coolant pipes.

All possible causes. What age is the car
Mike
Mike (@home)

Hmm, given a bit of thought to what the smell actually smells like. I would say that it is a sort of electrical smell. Definately something hot/burning. I'll update after lunch.
Phil Brindley (Work)

Sorry guys I was sleeping with the thread open didn't see the earlier replies.
Mike (@home)

Mike, Car is a 97R. Rad & Under body pipes were replaced by Techspeed Last October. Wonder if something around the heater got dislodged when I fitted the brake servo bracket? Since this involves removing heater ducting could a coolant pipe heve been knocked loose?
Phil Brindley (Work)

Have checked the level again (same) and topped up with water. Will keep a close eye on things over the next few days. Have checked around the heater, no apparent leaks, also nothing of floor under the car. So fingers crossed that it was coincedence.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll have a better look around the car/pipes when I can get underneath it tomorrow.
Phil Brindley (Work)

Don't forget the "Hot" smell from oil leaking from the oil filler tube gasket behind the engine. Most likely to occur after an oil change or very serious cornering.
Grant Vowles

Phil

Have a good look for Mayo or grease on the expansion tank cap or around the neck. If it's an HGF you should have caught it earlier. Hopefully it's something simple though.

Neil
Neil Stothert

Had a good look in the expansion tank and round the cap. Clear as day, no signs of mayo or grease (phew!) oil seems clear too. Will just have to keep a very close eye on things.
Phil Brindley

This thread was discussed between 27/02/2004 and 29/02/2004

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.