Smells like coolant!

eaglespeed91 · 12-04-2007, 12:42 AM

Every time i get home or any where that i go it smells like coolant. Is that somthing normal do all u guys get that same smell? Its not leaking or anything what do You guys think?

ketchup_xb · 12-04-2007, 12:58 AM

mine did that for a bit. but it went away. so i dunno.

wrczx3 · 12-05-2007, 10:30 AM

We dicussed this over at another forum and have come to the conclusion that it is some sort of pressure release device on the overflow tank that burps out the extra pressure in the cooling system. A lot of other people have the same smell but no coolant has to be added so obviously it isn't a coolant leak.

ToyotaTech · 12-08-2007, 01:56 PM

that is true about the over flow tank, of course its a fluid its gonna expand and retract depnding on the temp but if its anymore then a very slight smell then i would be looking closer IMO. the 2az in the 2nd gen and the 1nz in the first gen are notorius for water pump leakage so i would give it a look. i check mine at every oil change because i have replaced several in camrys etc under 10k. also the leakage may be so slight that u may not be able to tell by looking at the over flow tank it may take some time for the coolent level to drop, but u usally can see it visablly on the pump.

wrczx3 · 12-08-2007, 04:18 PM

Thanks toytech but I looked all over the engine compartment. I had it on a lift to have a look around too. I have had my XB for 4 months so even if it was a very very small leak at the water pump it would have needed coolant by now.

whitenoise808 · 04-16-2009, 06:56 PM

Any updates on this? I am a service manager at a Toyota dealership and have seen this in numerous vehicles and one client is especially concerned. Any help on this topic would be great.

BlackKnight · 04-17-2009, 08:33 AM

I have an 09, I've had it since last August. Every once in a while I smell the same thing on my, but it's usually after I've been driving it hard. My guess is the overflow receiving some of the expanded Antifreeze and it's giving off the smell because of the Steam...

I've had the smell on other cars before in the same way, so I'm figuring it's the same thing...

ronhawk62 · 04-17-2009, 09:18 AM

I've had the smell on mine off and on since new, with 18000 miles coolant level is still full.

TocsinXXVII · 06-23-2009, 05:09 PM

I havn't noticed this problem on my 09, but it is intresting that you are smelling it. If you havn't seen a leak it brings me to wonder, what about the heater core? Since the heater core is on the other side of the firewall and goes directly into the vents. Just an idea and because most problems on heater cores start off with the connections coming frail or loose.

ronhawk62 · 09-05-2009, 08:18 AM

I haven't noticed the smell in months, its just gone away.

Rattylumpkins · 09-21-2009, 07:14 PM

I was smelling something sweet while in mine but it turns out I dropped a lollipop on the exhaust manifold while pouring anti-freeze in it. I still smell it though......

Cracker · 01-13-2010, 06:27 PM

I know this is an old topic, but my 36k '08 started to smell a few days ago. Last night I popped the hood and there it was, the pink stripe on the black hood liner. Water pump seal is leaking and coolant is being "flung" in a perfect pink line.

Check under your hoods and look up for the pink line.