antifreeze smell while towing with an '03 V6

[Yogi9644]

Hi, I was towing a boat yesterday with my '03 4Runner V6 (with 76,000 miles) and towards the end of the 100 mile trip I began to smell antifreeze. I could smell it slightly in the cabin and also near the radiator. I've never smelled it before this time, but neither have I used the vehicle for towing. The boat is a 15 foot boston whaler sport. Not sure of the weight but fairly certain it's well under 5,000 pounds. I checked the antifreeze levels this morning (when it was cold) and the level was in between the high and low mark. Any ideas what the problem may be?

Thanks

 

[4boer]

Welcome Yogi. That boat shouldn't be a problem. Were you in "regular" drive? You shouldn't be as that has OD and trans might be hunting? Was it a hilly area? That will put more stress on the trans. Brakes on trailer sticking causing 4R to work harder? I realize all my comments are tranny related, but maybe thats the smell. Of course you might have just gotten a leak in the cooling system.

Glad you made it home. breakdown when towing is double-bummer. How's the boating in Maine this time of year?:biggrin2:

 

[Yogi9644]

it was in 4wd

I had it in 4wd with the differential unlocked.

 

[riverider]

If you smell antifreeze and your windows are all up chances are it's a leaking heater core.