Coolant smell in the cabin

[theboogins]

Comes and goes-strong - only last 15-20 seconds. Possible cause?

Thanks

[flyfishvt]

Heater core or exhaust fumes or you have coolant leaking onto a hot surface and changing to steam then the fumes get pulled into the car.

Do you have any wet carpet? You can look at the HVAC drain and see if anything is dripping out.

[jo3y]

i had the same problem in my e46, it was the water pump bearing going out on the pulley. I also had burning smell where the pulley wouldnt turn and the belt would slide on the pulley at times.

[flyfishvt]

First is to eliminate the heater core. If its the core then you'll be getting a film on the windshield. If there's no film then you move to the engine bay.