I smell a light antifreeze smell when I first start engine

[Ayisha43]

When I first start my engine on my 01 GA GT w/ RAT I can smell a bit of antifreeze for like a minute, then it goes away. Also the engine sounds like it is going to just clunk out on me when I first start it, but this is only when I start it for the first time like in the morning or when I get off of work after 12 hours. What do you thnik this could be?

[Bjornboy81]

If it's leaking antifreeze, it might be the notorious LIM gasket leak.

[Ayisha43]

Fortunately, it isn't leaking anything whatsoever. Knock on wook.

[RocketFast321]

But keep an eye on your coolant to be on the safe side

[Desert Stallion]

By chance have you looked at your coolant and/or oil looking for evidence of either contaminating the other? This will make your coolant have a 'milk shake' appearance, where the oil and coolant mix creates a foamy nasty-lookin' throth.

If you find that, it means that you've got either a compromised head gasket(s) or that an intake gasket with a water passage in it has been breached, or another source that's allowing coolant into the engine where it's not supposed to be.

[levey]

Originally posted by Ayisha43
Fortunately, it isn't leaking anything whatsoever. Knock on wook.

Just because you don't see a puddle on the ground...doesn't mean it isn't leaking internally.
If you can smell it...it's coming from somewhere. Your heater core could be another thing to check. However....after reading most posts associated with the LIM gasket.....have somebody check your oil for purity.....just to be safe.


Just a quick question.....Is the carpet (front) in your car.... wet or damp?

[Ayisha43]

Originally posted by levey

Just a quick question.....Is the carpet (front) in your car.... wet or damp?
No

[Ayisha43]

Originally posted by Desert Stallion
By chance have you looked at your coolant and/or oil looking for evidence of either contaminating the other? This will make your coolant have a 'milk shake' appearance, where the oil and coolant mix creates a foamy nasty-lookin' throth.

If you find that, it means that you've got either a compromised head gasket(s) or that an intake gasket with a water passage in it has been breached, or another source that's allowing coolant into the engine where it's not supposed to be.
Where is this area where the two mix. How can i find it to check?

[levey]

Ok....Just watch for it.

[levey]

Just check your oil dipstick. If it looks kinda milky...or has bubbles in the oil ...you could have the LIM problem.
It's not hard to tell. If it doesn't look like clean oil...purified oil....have it checked right away.

[RocketFast321]

Most of the time it will leak the area under the air intake.

[Agquadon]

Originally posted by levey
Just a quick question.....Is the carpet (front) in your car.... wet or damp?


Carpet wouldnt be damp or wet because of the overflow pan that the heater core has. And that makes me think isnt it convenient that they made and overflow pan for the heater cores on these grand ams. I think they probably knew there was an issue but its probably just my parnoia setting in again :D

[levey]

Hmmm. I didn't even realize there was an overflow pan built on Grand Ams.