Radiator Coolant Odor

[Snowden]

Does anyone else experience this? So for years now I often get a strong coolant odor after shutting off my engine. Most noticeable when parking in the garage at home. The thing is I don't lose or drip coolant anywhere I can see and the temp always runs normal. I read many years ago something about a connecter hose running somewhere under the intake manifold on the 3.4 that can be a culprit of this but for the life of me I have never found that post again. Overall it doesn't impact anything other than making me go "hmmmm??" and keeping an eye on things. 1998 3.4 with 148k, automatic trans.

 

[jgue467]

I've never smelled hot coolant on mine. If it smells there is Something there. The reservoir does have to breath to the atmosphere, maybe that's where it comes from? :cowboy:

 

[Mellemel]

Mine always has a whiff of coolant after I park up. I have read this before on the forum, it might be one of querky those 4rnr things !
97' 3.4 Ltd with 394,000kms. She an older lady so s'pose she may smell a bit ! No coolant issues however.

 

[aontkos]

Perhaps is a leaky heater hose (passenger side close to cabin) that drips onto the exhaust manifold? It may not be the cause, but I think it's a good place to look.

 

[zoombyu86]

I have noticed this smell on mine too. Despite checking all fluid levels and color, they appear to be fine but always leaves that uneasy feeling.

 

[TillytheToyota]

I bought my 4Runner about a week ago- noticed that same smell and found it to be a leaky heater hose as someone mentioned earlier. Took me a bit of time underneath to find the slow drip but it was there..


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[Snowden]

Perhaps is a leaky heater hose (passenger side close to cabin) that drips onto the exhaust manifold? It may not be the cause, but I think it's a good place to look.

I'll keep looking thanks. I'll admit I did not look too hard because since the level does not appear to go down I assumed there isn't a leak. And at least not large enough to cause an odor. Maybe it doesn't take much more than a drip.