# Antifreeze smell

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/antifreeze-smell/44996>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** lesabre, buick\
**Created:** [February 23, 2010, 6:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/antifreeze-smell/44996 "2010-02-23T18:15:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mzzdaisy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8c91f0/32.png) [@mzzdaisy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mzzdaisy)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 6:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/antifreeze-smell/44996/1 "2010-02-23T18:15:26Z")

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Minor antifreeze smell, minor oil seeping near intake gastket area, new thermostat recently, no check engine lights, no overheating, heat works fine. Is mymechanic right in saying I need a new intake gasket?

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/antifreeze-smell/44996/2 "2010-02-23T18:27:53Z")

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Well, that engine does have a history of intake manifold gasket problems, so his assessment is likely to be correct.

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**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 7:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/antifreeze-smell/44996/3 "2010-02-23T19:12:35Z")

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The only way to know is to have the cooling system pressure tested.

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**Author:** ![golfnut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ad7895/32.png) [@golfnut](https://community.cartalk.com/u/golfnut)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2010, 11:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/antifreeze-smell/44996/4 "2010-02-23T23:05:24Z")

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i had the same problem with my 2004 Buick Lesabre. coolant smell. i hated the smell. my mechanic pressure tested it, and it leaked slightly. it didn’t leak a lot but it doesn’t take a lot for it to smell. every month i would put in a tiny bit in the fill tank, but the smell got the best of me. i didn’t want this to get worse —it could end up in the engine. i think it cost me around 250 to 300 to get it done. i can’t remember the exact cost because i had two new tires put on---- everything is now fine — i sleep a little better now —best of luck in your decision