Bad Headgasket?

[ttreat]

I have coolant leaking from a mysterious place (doesn't seem to be from the hose from hell). It doesn't seem to leak unless I drive the car hard. The car doesn't overheat but the coolant drips down on the exhaust and smells. I noticed coolant on top of the tranny case. That leads me to suspect a bad headgasket. I don't see any power issues, overheating, or white smoke out the exhaust. Is this likely a headgasket or some other problem?

[JekylandHyde]

If you are seeing coolant on top of the tranny, I would doubt a blown headgasket unless you pressurizing the system and it was blowing out everywhere ... everywhere.

It seems odd that you are seeing coolant, but not overheating.

I would check all of the fittings above the tranny ... especially your rad cap.

[skybandit]

I wonder if you flushed or changed the radiator or coolant??That might help,i think your coolant is coming from the overflow hose coming from the white plastic coolant tank.Its the plastic tank that says "coolant only"and its on the drivers side next to the engine fuse box.There are two hoses,one is an overflow and maybe the coolant is coming from that hose when your driving it hard and leaking on your tranny.Next time you take it for a spin,drive it for about 10 minutes,then park it and open your engine hood and look to see if you can see coolant driipin from the hose.I had the same thing happen to me,I'd drive for a little bit,the car would not overheat but i would smell coolant from the engine area.It was coming out of the hose and dripping on tranny and other hot areas near the engine.My problem was the two main cooling hoses under the car were shot and needed replacing.I also had to get the radiator hoses replaced,since its been fixed I have not had and coolant issues.Hope this helps.I also had the radiator flushed and changed the coolant.