Funny smell from wheel openings

[Commish]

Guys, wondering if I may have the beginnings of a water pump going bad. When I start my engine after any down time and I do a walkaround, I have smelled anti freeze lately. Ground is perfectly clean, no drips or anythings. 6,000 miles on engine, it's done alot of sitting in it's life as well. Sat for almost 6 months as a repo before I got it, not sure if that may have added to this, if indeed I got me a problem.

On Friday, I went by and did a few things to it (it's stored near house) and cranked her up and this time I had a little squeak, sounding like a belt, kinda, but there was the smell again. It does go away after a few minutes, the scent, and fluid levels are fine. Squeaked until I turned it off.

Taking trip soon to Disney, with what I described should I yank it and change it out for Chevy parts counter/auto zone?

I had someone tell me to check the weep hole for residue, true? I know my way around the engine pretty well but have never (knock on wood) had a bad water pump or changed one.

Thoughts? I'll hang up and listen.....

[Commish]

Guys, wondering if I may have the beginnings of a water pump going bad. When I start my engine after any down time and I do a walkaround, I have smelled anti freeze lately. Ground is perfectly clean, no drips or anythings. 6,000 miles on engine, it's done alot of sitting in it's life as well. Sat for almost 6 months as a repo before I got it, not sure if that may have added to this, if indeed I got me a problem.

On Friday, I went by and did a few things to it (it's stored near house) and cranked her up and this time I had a little squeak, sounding like a belt, kinda, but there was the smell again. It does go away after a few minutes, the scent, and fluid levels are fine. Squeaked until I turned it off.

Taking trip soon to Disney, with what I described should I yank it and change it out for Chevy parts counter/auto zone?

I had someone tell me to check the weep hole for residue, true? I know my way around the engine pretty well but have never (knock on wood) had a bad water pump or changed one.

Thoughts? I'll hang up and listen.....

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Commish:
Thoughts? I'll hang up and listen..... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>My problem was a slightly loose block drain plug. The plugs are located on the side of the block close to the 1-2 and the 2-4 cylinders. The odor of anti freeze was unmistakable however I never really saw a drip.

[Jeff H]

You might check the hose/clamps at the Evans unit for the A/C and heater.

["007"]

Check on top of engine block up front four clamps need tightening splice point for heater and hoses from engine block access. Have to remove dog house cover.

[Full-Timers]

It's what DriVer said. Mine was the same thing. It's a known issue with the 8.1L engine in these Workhorse chassis.

[Commish]

Ok, great info. I'll check on all.

Probably won't hurt since I got this coach blind/2nd hand as a repo, to go thru all clamps and possible screw-in's under there. Intruder's doghouse comes off real easy and has decent access to most items.

thanks

[John350]

Same probleum. Coolant smell on cold start, no drips. Smell disappeared with warm engine. My 8.1L leak was the engine coolant sensor located on the right rear of the cylinder head. Happy Motoring, John

[speed racer]

Some fuel additives smell like that and its more noticable when the engine is running cold but tends to go away as it warms up.These aditives are put in at the distribution point. I have found that phillips has the most its there to keep injectors clean but other brands have it to. Just a thought.