but i have no idea were at. there is no evidence of coolant on the dipstick or oil filler cap and the car only smokes on initial start up. after it warms up no smoke. floor is dry and the heater core was just replaced a little bit ago. i do notice a little bit of a sweet smell when i turn my heater on though. car is an 87 trans am with a rebuilt 350 carbed

 

Warm the engine then pull a valve cover and check the underside. If you have a white foam, your coolant is making its way into the oil (most likely from a bad head gasket). Checking the dipstick wont always tell you since the coolant is heaver than oil and sinks to the bottom of the pan.

 

if you really smell coolant in the car chack the hoses that go to the heater core they can be leaking be may not be coming in the car. if there are no streaks from the coolant over there you are burning it. in some cases there are no visible signs of any burning or leaking.

 

pull a valve cover. see whats on the bottom side

 

my advice to you is ... start tearing stuff apart at the heater core and check there... go all the way taking everything you need to take apart as if you were going to remove it... if you are smelling the coolant that means there's a leak.... there aren't more than a probable of 2 areas where you would get a coolant smell from...

 

pressure test it budd. go to pepboys, they have a radiator cap looking thing with a pump on it, pump it up till you find your self a leak.