Hey gang,

This is not about the S, but thought I could get an answer here anyways. It's about an 01' Civic LX. I just noticed a scent of coolant coming from the ventilation system. The AC was on for the defroster. Car has 130k. No apparent leaks that I can see. Fluid levels look ok. I am planning on bringing it to the mechanic on Monday, but is the sign of a possible head gasket problem?

Mods - lock or move if this is the wrong place for this question.

Thanks!

 

Check your dipstick oil for creaminess.

I don't think the smell is indicative of anything (with the headgasket).

And IBTM (probably should be in UTH or Car Talk since it's not an S2000).

 

Heater core probably has a leak.

 

Check the top radiator core for hairline cracking. It's common for the plastic to crack very slightly - coolant vapor can escape, which gets sucked through the HVAC fan. Fairly common around that mileage. If the rad is bad, pick up an aftermarket one - the honda OEM rad is a lot of money and isn't of very good quality.

 

+1

The heater core is part of your HVAC ducting. A couple of things to do is to turn your heater on and change the dial to defrost and see if your windshield fogs up. Another thing to check is for dampness on the passenger side carpet.

 

+2

 

x3

 

heater core might be the problem, especially if it leaks on your feet while driving! it usually pools below the pedals. they say hondas have a problem with fresh air in the a/c the fungus-y junk forms in the pan. if you use the recirculate button on the a/c it may help. and that a/c freshener. my pathfinder's been doing it for years, and no core leak yet. i like kstokes' idea, but would a hairline crack show up with a cooling system compression check? it's true with the smell of rad fluid, a little goes a long way, smell-wise.....