Possible new radiator?

[1filthygp]

My ride, 02 Grand Prix GT, bone stock down to the air filter.

So recently I started smelling just on the outside of the car. The other day on my lunch break, I got the car up to temp to see and low and behold. Saw a brief puff of steam coming from below one of the cooling fans. Only lasted maybe 2 seconds. The smell persists but not getting any worse nor better. I have not seen the steam since and there is no residual coolant drips anywhere on the engine. So I'm assuming my intake gaskets are ok. Both rad hoses are bone dry as well.

The engine oil is as clean as can be, car just turned 73K miles and runs like a bear. Engine temp. stays right it should be, smack between the 160 mark and 210 mark. I'm going to let the car cool overnight and check the level in the radiator in the morning. Also getting it pressure tested first thing after work Monday.

Does all this sound like a rad replacement in the future? Will report back what I find at the shop.

[dsmuts]

I think you'll be fine if you don't see any think leaking or aren't missing any coolant.

[gpse2000]

Mine has smelled since I bought it and I have never needed to add coolant

[QUICKSILVER462]

I would not think you need a new radiation at only 73k. Unless there was somthing came in contact with it to puncture, or wear a hole. My car has 171k on the original radiator. It is a good idea to get a flashlight and look at all the joints, seems,seals pertaining to the cooling system, you never know what you will find.

I just recently fixed an issue with smelling coolant when exiting my car. I noticed a small stain running downward under the thermostat housing, it was very small, but wet when wiped with finger. I had not noticed any coolant missing from the overflow jug. The next day I pulled the thermostat housing off to inspect. I noticed a small spot of corrosion forming inside the flange the thermostat sits in. Fortunatly I had an extra "new" o-ring and installed it after cleaning the corrosion spot. It does not take a large amount of coolant leak to be very noticeable. Over time it can cause the system to become low on coolant and then air will get into the system and start corrosion.

[1filthygp]

I would not think you need a new radiation at only 73k. Unless there was somthing came in contact with it to puncture, or wear a hole. My car has 171k on the original radiator. It is a good idea to get a flashlight and look at all the joints, seems,seals pertaining to the cooling system, you never know what you will find.

I just recently fixed an issue with smelling coolant when exiting my car. I noticed a small stain running downward under the thermostat housing, it was very small, but wet when wiped with finger. I had not noticed any coolant missing from the overflow jug. The next day I pulled the thermostat housing off to inspect. I noticed a small spot of corrosion forming inside the flange the thermostat sits in. Fortunatly I had an extra "new" o-ring and installed it after cleaning the corrosion spot. It does not take a large amount of coolant leak to be very noticeable. Over time it can cause the system to become low on coolant and then air will get into the system and start corrosion.

It almost sounded too bad to be true that I need a radiator, stuff does wear out but I'll keep an eye on it. I've added no water to it at all. The plus side I took it to the shop, they didn't find anything and the system was holding pressure according to the little pressure gauge. Just run it overtime and see if it gets worse.