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Why does my car smell like antifreeze but is not overheating?

Okay so my Corolla has a definite antifreeze smell but the car is running fine. The engine isn’t too hot either. Why does my car smell like antifreeze but is not overheating?

avatar
Nick Kunze · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
If your car smells like antifreeze but is not overheating, chances are you’ve caught an issue early, which will save you hassle and money in the long run.
If you’re smelling antifreeze, there’s almost definitely an issue with your car. However, since the car is not overheating, that means the issue has not escalated to a point where it is affecting drivability or your car’s health. The faster you deal with this issue, the less you are likely to
pay for repairs
, as less will be damaged and need replacing.
A few common reasons for an antifreeze smell are:
  • An issue with the heater core
  • A worn-out radiator cap
  • A leak in your radiator or radiator hose
Don’t stop at fixing your antifreeze issue—also fix your
car insurance
costs by using insurance broker Jerry.
Jerry
makes it easy to find great insurance coverage at a low price with competitive quotes and access to Jerry’s team of
professional agents
.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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