The smell of gas in the engine could be something else like a plugged pcv valve or improper crank case ventillation.
Im willing to bet that the colour could just be rust or its possible to be a leaking rad, if the rad has a transmission or oil cooler built into it, it could be leaking internally. otherwise it could be the headgasket. The simplest way to check for a coolant leak is to go somewhere that has a drive clean machine or gas analyzer, get the car up to operating temperature and stick the probe over the rad cap opening. then look to see if there is carbon monoxide in the cooling system, if there is any then it has to be a headgasket, its the only way there can be combustion gasses in the coolant. If its good then maybe they just spilt it everywhere when they did the engine.
If you are unsure take it to a reputable shop and pay the 1 hour for diagnosis, you want to be 100% positive on this potentially expensive repair.
Could be a slightly leaky injector as well as thats common and would cause a shakey idle.
As for the coolant smell it probably a small leak somewhere. Park on some nice clean white snow (should be easy enough to find) then check for leaks in the morning. Should be quite apparent.
I had the hood open with the car started, I could smell coolant from the wind being blown in my face from the clutch fan, so it does seem like a leak, but previously I smelled it from the exhaust… When the idle was rough, I put my hand in front of the exhaust. It felt like normal exhaust pulses, and after a few of the normal ones, there would be a bigger “puff” causing the shake. The car drives wonderfully however, no stalling, no smoking, pulls strong.
I’ve used up almost half a tank and gone 135 km’s…fail. Your injector idea definetely has a chance of being right.
I just did an oil change. The oil was dark brown, smelled a bit like fuel from running rich (i guess), and there was NO sign of coolant mixing in it. None of that brown mayonnaise texture whatsoever.
I am so relieved. Next I gotta pressure test my coolant system for leaks and get it flushed thoroughly. Hope that solves it.
Thanks guys for all the help. I will post updates after I do the coolant flush so this thread can be helpful in the archives of SON.
Honestly though, I don’t see what that would accomplish other than cause trouble and get a criminal record. I let SON know what happened in a previous thread so it doesn’t happen again; what’s done is done.
