'04 venture, NO coolant loss, NO over heating, however..

[bleepster]

Once in a while i get a faint smell of antifreeze when i first start up the venture.

If the car is cold, i dont smell it. but if i drive a while, and stop to get gas, when i fire it back up i get a faint smell of antifreeze that lasts maybe 30 seconds.

i have 47k miles on it. NO coolant loss, NO over heating, oil is fine.

its still under warranty, however i suspect that if i call the dealership - they will tell me "why fix something that aint broke?"

we keep the heater on defrost/floor blend. could this be a super small leak in the heater core?

antifreeze looks brand new as well.

if i take it to the dealership - ands they "pressure test it" - would they charge me for that?

again:
2004 venture
3.4 v-6
47k miles
never a problem

[cdru]

They likely will charge you for anything if you take it to the dealership unless it is covered under the warranty. I'm not sure if diagnosis in this case would be. You could always call and ask.

As an alternative, you can borrow a presure tester from Autozone. It will cost $80 or so up front, but that is just a deposit in case you don't return it. Return it and you get all your money back.

But, to your actual problem, where do you smell it at? Inside or out? If it is just inside and you've never smelled it outside, particularly around the air intake at the base of the windshield, I'd be suspect of a heater core leak although your van is still fairly young. That's really the only place where antifreeze could get into the passenger compartment. Don't forget if you have rear heat that you also have a rear heater core.

If you only smell it outside, it could be any one of a couple of different places such as a leaky hose, clamp, or the usual gasket leaks.

[bleepster]

I smell the antifreeze on the inside. from the front, not rear heat.

also - i see no puddles or anything on the ground.

going to call the dealer ship now and see what they say.
i thought the intake problem was resolved by '04??

i havent seen any '04's listed here with a bogus intake gasket problem.

['97ventureowner]

The intake gasket problem has pretty much been taken care of with the introduction of a redesigned gasket midway through 2002. I, too, haven't seen any post 2003 Ventures with the problem that plagued previous years. However that doesn't rule out a defective gasket,(from the manufacturing process,) or some other engine problem that could lead to the intake gasket to start leaking.

[bleepster]

Just called the dealership - exploring leaks is covered under warranty. gonna do a pressure test tomorrow at 1:30. what they find i will post back here.

i wonder if i can get them to change out the throttle body to eliminate the high pitched whistle on exceleration???

[cdru]

Originally Posted by bleepster

i wonder if i can get them to change out the throttle body to eliminate the high pitched whistle on exceleration???

You cna ask them. I beleive there was a TSB on the topic.

[bleepster]

wow - i went to remove the radiator cap on my '04 venture last night to check coolant level. I CANT EVEN GET THE CAP OFF!!!! Just push down and turn, right? mine wont even budge.

what gives? this normal?

anyway sheduled today for pressure test - will let you know whats going on.

this rad. cap has me baffled

[cdru]

When I first got '97 in '02, it was the same way. I had to use some channel lock pliers to get it off. It was just a tight fitting that had gooped up some.

Also, Turning it counterclockwise (as you look down) is the way to get it off. You know, righty tighty, lefty loosey.

[bleepster]

wife just called - van is all set. there was a pin-hole in one of the hoses. and it only leaked when they really put a lot of pressure on it. - so they replaced the hose.

if we smell it again, bring it back.

good news