Smelling faint hint of antifreeze in cab of 98 Malibu 3.1

[BoxMN]

It is not real bad smell, but definitely there. No hazing on the windshield inside, like my old Ranger did when the heater core went.

Not noticing that I have to really add coolant, though I do about once per year just to top off the reservoir. I already did the intake gasket, and not seeing any drips that are noticable on the garage floor, and I even put cardboard down there to try to catch it.

Not sure what it might be or where... any help is appreciated! Thanks.

[Jeremy airjer W]

you should be able to peak into the pulley for the water pump. Look for any dried up coolant residue on the pulley.

The other thing that comes to mind is the timing cover gasket. Which usually the next big thing to start leaking after the intake gaskets.

The timing cover will leak on the firewall side just under the head. it is visible from under the car.

[BoxMN]

Thanks airjer! I will check it out once it warms up a bit

[Eric Wettschreck]

My sons girl friend has the same car, and had the same problem. Look for coolant leaking from the pump housing and down the block. Tough to see with all the pulleys in the way so you gotta stare at it, while running and hot, with a lot of light.

It took a while to find it. Water pump was leaking. Pretty easy fix. Took right around a half hour with a beer break in the middle of the job. Make sure to vent the pump while filling.

[BoxMN]

Thanks guys! That's what I like to hear, something that I can likely fix, and ideally with a beer

-edit - is there anything special needed like notching that would help, or is it really pretty straightforward? Reason being I have a Trailblazer that I just put a new water pump in - or had it put in. Mechanic friend said that getting the fan housing out to get at water pump was a big pita, and started showing me where I had to notch the housing, and where to torque on it to get it out.... so I just left the car there for him to do It was too cold and my normal neighbor who helps me had bad shoulder and I didn't want to have him doing the work for me, so I let my normal garage do it. But it wasn't cheap, haha!

[Eric Wettschreck]

Different pump on this car. Transverse mounted v-6. There's no housing around the pump.

Remove belt, remove pully bolts, (Put a strap wrench on the pully to hold it) remove pully, remove the water pump bolts (6 or 8 if memory serves), remove pump.

Clean things up and bolt on the new pump with gasket. Re-install pully and belt. Open pump vent and fill with coolant.

Pretty sumple job and there's always time for a beer break.

[BoxMN]

Thanks a ton Eric!!! I owe you guys a beer or three