Smelling Antifeeze

[ToyotaDoodz]

Over the last 10 days I've started to detect the smell of antifreeze in my engine bay. It's fairly faint but is getting stronger over time. I only smell it inside when the windows are down so I don't think it's a heater core leak. The overflow container has never overflowed and the level is correct when the engine is hot and cold. I've checked all the hoses and detected no leaks and I don't see anything around the water pump.

Any ideas? I'm trying to find it before going to the dealer.

PS, I've got about 35,000 miles on this 03.

 

[Koz]

Take it to the dealer for a pressure test, as long as it is under warranty.

Koz

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Yes, I am going to take it in, but I hate going in without a good idea of what's wrong first.

 

[Sac State]

Doodz, I am at 35,500 miles also. I have always smelled coolant when I park the rig in the garage. Always concerned me, but with the warranty getting ready to expire, I had the dealer look at my concern.

I have never had the coolant overflow bottle raise up or down, I have never added coolant and the level stays exactly at 'Full'. The dealer did a pressure test, I mentioned heater core or head gasket, and found no leaks.

So in a nutshell, nothing was found by performing a pressure test. I don't know where the sweet coolant smell is coming from. Alot of unusual smells, this '03 Runner.

I had my radiator flushed and refilled at the 30K service. I haven't noticed the smell as much after replacing the original coolant from the factory.

I wouldn't trade her for anything though, she runs like a well oiled clock. That smells on occasion.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

I've been hammered at work and can't seem to get it to them.

That really makes me wonder now. The antifreeze smell only just started on mine so it is a change from what's been normal.

Your symptoms sound very familiar. You'd think that if there was a leak the fluid level would change but it hasn't. If I wasn't doing a 5,000 mile trip in a month I wouldn't be quite as concerned.

Not that I don't trust the dealer mechanics . . . . OK, I don't 100% trust them. That's why I usually try to diagnose as much as I can before taking it in.

 

[PROZAC]

ToyotaDoodz, sorry to hear that you are experiencing the dreaded fear of antifreeze. And hope you find resolution.

I'm a ways away from 35k but cripe... I don't want to be on this board making the same kind of post.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

I'll let everyone know what I find out.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Update.

The smell has progressively been getting worse since my first post. The fluid level in the overflow container has not changed. I only smell it inside the vehicle when the vent is open or the windows are down so I don't think it's a heater core.

I took it in this morning and they found nothing. They also said they could not smell it. Bull Shit! The service writer smelled it when I pulled in. They drove it around to get the thermostat open and pressure tested it and found nothing.

I haven't found anything either. I've looked at every fitting and hose and connection point and see no evidence of current or past leaks. The overflow container has never run over.

Soooooo, I'm doing a 5,000+ mile trip to Canada at the end of this month. This bugs the heck out of me going on a trip and smelling antifreeze. Not sure what I can do at this point. Any ideas besides taking a case of duct tape with me?

 

[kglueck]

I was just thinking about your post from a while back and wondering what you'd found...I'm sorry to hear the answer is nothing, yet...

I'm surprised that there wasn't anything on a hose or the overflow tank. that seems strange. so if you close the windows and hit recirc, you don't smell antifreeze? that would be the "definitive" test for the heater core (which I also think is unlikely the culprit).

Could there be a small seeping leak between the overflow container and the radiator? that location is kind hard to see. dunno, tho. Have to think about it some more.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

I was just thinking about your post from a while back and wondering what you'd found...I'm sorry to hear the answer is nothing, yet...

I'm surprised that there wasn't anything on a hose or the overflow tank. that seems strange. so if you close the windows and hit recirc, you don't smell antifreeze? that would be the "definitive" test for the heater core (which I also think is unlikely the culprit).

Could there be a small seeping leak between the overflow container and the radiator? that location is kind hard to see. dunno, tho. Have to think about it some more.

Hi KG. Nice updated avatar!! Thanks for the reply.

I've ruled out it being the heater core. The only way I smell it inside is with outside air coming in. When I pull in the garage and get out it hits me in the face and also when I open the hood. I don't ever notice it until the engine is warm enough to open the thermostat. To me that rules out the block.

I've looked for any signs of seepage at all connection points of hoses, water pump, water jacket, freeze plugs, radiator cap, and overflow.

I'm not imagining it. I really do know what antifreeze smells like no mater what the dealer implies. It's maddening. I might get a new radiator cap anyway. I can't ever remember seeing fluid moving in and out of the overflow. It seems to stay at the same level. I'm going to watch it closer.

 

[kglueck]

Hi KG. Nice updated avatar!! Thanks for the reply.

hehe, thanks...had to get the other radio in the pic...sometime when I have better light, I'll snap a better pic of it. :

I've ruled out it being the heater core. The only way I smell it inside is with outside air coming in. When I pull in the garage and get out it hits me in the face and also when I open the hood. I don't ever notice it until the engine is warm enough to open the thermostat. To me that rules out the block.

I agree. I'll have to pull out my maintenance book this evening to view the details of the system.

I've looked for any signs of seepage at all connection points of hoses, water pump, water jacket, freeze plugs, radiator cap, and overflow.

I'm not imagining it. I really do know what antifreeze smells like no mater what the dealer implies. It's maddening. I might get a new radiator cap anyway. I can't ever remember seeing fluid moving in and out of the overflow. It seems to stay at the same level. I'm going to watch it closer.

Yeah, if it's a strong enough smell, you'd think you have a large enough leak somewhere to be able to see it. even if it was a pinhole leak somewhere, when it's pressurized you'd at least see where it's spraying onto and be able to see the "aftermath." Very strange. I presume the engine temperature is "normal" and not running "hotter" than it has been?

My old '76 plymouth volare station wagon (yes, it even had faded wood panel siding) had a smell like that at one point, but it had a definite source and would left a tell-tale spot where it had "dripped" for us to find it. Man I'm glad I don't have that vehicle anymore...

I completely understand your frustration...especially with the dealer. Yeah, antifreeze has a pretty obvious and easily identified smell to it. For the service people to suggest you don't know what it smells like, well...tell them next time, that you can't smell it anymore because of all the bs that you're having to wade through listening to them... :bash: :cursin:

 

[socky3850]

I've smelled the odor of antifreeze since since I bought my 4R new. I now have 26K on my 04. I only smell this when I pull into my garage after the engine is warm. When I first bought the truck I took it to the dealer for this problem but they coudn't find anything. Like everyone else, there are no leaks and the level in the overflow has never changed in the 1.5 years that I've owned my 4R. I've stopped worrying about this but would be interested to see if anyone can figure this out.

 

[Sac State]

I've smelled the odor of antifreeze since since I bought my 4R new. I now have 26K on my 04. I only smell this when I pull into my garage after the engine is warm. When I first bought the truck I took it to the dealer for this problem but they coudn't find anything. Like everyone else, there are no leaks and the level in the overflow has never changed in the 1.5 years that I've owned my 4R. I've stopped worrying about this but would be interested to see if anyone can figure this out.

I only notice the smell when I am in the garage after just shutting off the engine. Never while I am driving or after it has cooled off. The overflow bottle has always had the same amount in it hot or cold. My temp gauge sticks to the same spot since day 1.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

My old '76 plymouth volare station wagon (yes, it even had faded wood panel siding) had a smell like that at one point, but it had a definite source and would left a tell-tale spot where it had "dripped" for us to find it. Man I'm glad I don't have that vehicle anymore... [/B]

Remember the Vooooooolarie song? Voooolarie, woooouuOOO, vooooolarie, wooooOOOOOoooo.

I've smelled the odor of antifreeze since since I bought my 4R new. I now have 26K on my 04. I only smell this when I pull into my garage after the engine is warm. When I first bought the truck I took it to the dealer for this problem but they coudn't find anything. Like everyone else, there are no leaks and the level in the overflow has never changed in the 1.5 years that I've owned my 4R. I've stopped worrying about this but would be interested to see if anyone can figure this out.

We have the exact same symptoms, but mine only started at 32,000 miles a couple of weeks ago. The change was what made me wonder. Unless they've changed from the way vehicles used to be, the radiator cap should allow for expansion and contraction of the anti-freeze and we should see the level change in the over-flow. Apparently none of us are seeing that happen. Curious?

I only notice the smell when I am in the garage after just shutting off the engine. Never while I am driving or after it has cooled off. The overflow bottle has always had the same amount in it hot or cold. My temp gage sticks to the same spot since day 1.

I agree but I also notice it if my windows are down and the wind is blowing toward the cab. That is only once the engine is warm.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

Guys, I appreciate all the feedback. It's making me feel better about going on the trip but it's still very curious.

Perhaps I didn't smell the anti-freeze before this because the sulfur exhaust smell offsets it? LOL, just kidding. I got that fixed a year ago.

 

[X5Runner]

Over the last 10 days I've started to detect the smell of antifreeze in my engine bay. It's fairly faint but is getting stronger over time. I only smell it inside when the windows are down so I don't think it's a heater core leak. The overflow container has never overflowed and the level is correct when the engine is hot and cold. I've checked all the hoses and detected no leaks and I don't see anything around the water pump.

Any ideas? I'm trying to find it before going to the dealer.

PS, I've got about 35,000 miles on this 03.

Man! There you go again. This is really make me nervous. Anyones of you remember, there was a massive number of 96-98 model 4runners were recalled due to the failures of the head gaskets. At this time, we had 2 4runners (96 & 98) in our family. It took the dealer a few months (in & out dozen of times) to figured out the leak on my sister 96 Runner. They only replaced the gasket on one side of the engine unless my sister willing to pay $600 bucks to replace the other side (which was not leaking).......until years later. When the recall was announced. My sister then again took her Runner back to the same dealer. Now, they went ahead and replaced both with no charge. They also did the same to the 98 Runner. Replaced both gaskets at no charge. I hope Toyota is not making the same mistakes that they made years ago.

 

[socky3850]

This doesn't seem like a head gasket issue. No coolant is being sucked into the engine because the coolant level doesn't change and no oil is being blown into the coolant. Could it just be that there is some plastic component on the engine or in the engine bay that smells like coolant when it gets hot?

 

[Cliff s]

The cooling system is self purging, so what
you are smelling is the purging action taking place.

The cooling system (if working correctly) contains
no air, so when the motor heats up the coolant will
vent a small amount of fluid(note: the hot and cold
levels marked on the overflow tank). Since the radiator
cap is the highest part of the system this is where any
air would collect. When the cap ventilates, this air is expelled.

When the motor cools it will take in the coolant that was expelled.

The reason for self purging is that if you have no air in the system
it cannot generate steam.

Cliff s

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

The cooling system is self purging, so what
you are smelling is the purging action taking place.

The cooling system (if working correctly) contains
no air, so when the motor heats up the coolant will
vent a small amount of fluid(note: the hot and cold
levels marked on the overflow tank). Since the radiator
cap is the highest part of the system this is where any
air would collect. When the cap ventilates, this air is expelled.

When the motor cools it will take in the coolant that was expelled.

The reason for self purging is that if you have no air in the system
it cannot generate steam.

Cliff s

Cliff, read my post up above. This is exactly what I was expecting to see but the level in the overflow never changes. I'm going to replace my cap and see if it helps.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

Same smell once in a while

It comes from the coolant expansion tank. It's normal. If you actually see anti-freeze on the ground that isn't normal, of course.