Sweet smell from exhaust.

[smellypaddler]

What's the most likely explanation for a sweet smelling exhaust.

I've been having overheating problems for a while now and I can't see any coolant in the oil. I also can't see any oil in the coolant and there is no white smoke on start up.

I've just forked out for a new water pump and re-cored radiator and only just smelt the sweet exhaust tonight.

Do you think it is likely to only be a head gasket or would the cylinder be cracked as well?

I had a recoed motor dropped in the car a couple of years ago and it cost me over $2000. I'm hoping it isn't going to cost the same for this latest issue.

[Hatsu]

You're right, a coolant leak can give a sweet smell to the exhaust, is it loosing coolant and if so, how quickly?
Do you still get it if you leave the radiator cap just on loose?
Do you see bubbles in the coolant if you leave the cap off and the engine is hot?
Damo.

[MightyMouse]

Sweet Smell = coolant

Headgasket or crack can't tell without a pull down. Least worst is a headgasket.

[smellypaddler]

Once the thermostat was pulled out buibbles were quite obvious to see so there is definatley a head problem.