antifreeze smell

smokeum · 09-21-2007, 04:40 PM

I was talking to the mech at the dealership the other day about this but got no good answer. Sometimes I can smell antifreeze but there are no leaks and it always runs cool. He (mech) said they had other reports with the same problem but never found anything, some kind of venting issue? Anyone else ran into this?

artacus · 09-21-2007, 04:47 PM

Same here a few months ago in my 05. Turns out my radiator cap was leaking a bit ( splatter stains on the hose and engine cover). Just went and got a new one, about 13-14 bucks.

Energizer · 09-23-2007, 10:19 AM

I had my radiator cap replaced twice when I got my truck, and it stopped with the smell and obvious drips of green, but I could occasionally smell something...

Although I'd look at the skid plate each time the oil was changed, I finally found residue on the skid plate, which pointed to the transmission cooler lines on one hose (at both ends).

I guess over time it finally leaked enough where I could locate it.

RB's Titan · 09-24-2007, 12:04 PM

have the dealer document your files for the smell and that they could not find anything. My radiator cracked at 58K and they were not going to replace it but since I had the 3-4 previous "we smell it but can't find it solutions" they finally fixed it. $700 to replace it at dealer by the way.

bshort · 09-24-2007, 09:13 PM

I have the same problem with my 07'. I smell the antifreeze, but there is no obvious leaks and the coolant level remains the same.

BigJ · 09-25-2007, 01:51 AM

How weird I thought I was the only one with this problem. My 05 Frontier had this problem for about the last 5000 miles I had it, before I traded it for my Titan. I would smell it with the a/c running, I suspected the heater core but the dealer could not locate (imagine that).

Clint · 09-25-2007, 07:45 AM

I had a tiny drop coming out where the over flow tube connects to the filler neck. Not enough to lower the level but just enough to make it smell when hot and if you look there is a small green mark there. New clamp on and no more smell.

Clint

dacyj · 10-06-2007, 07:01 PM

Yeah, my heater core is going out! I need to get a new one but I cant find any online and was told it was going to cost me $1100 bucks to take it to a shop, Ive googled it, ebayed it and no luck. Any one know a web site that has parts let me know.

TitanBlue · 10-07-2007, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dacyj

Yeah, my heater core is going out! I need to get a new one but I cant find any online and was told it was going to cost me $1100 bucks to take it to a shop, Ive googled it, ebayed it and no luck. Any one know a web site that has parts let me know.

Go to forum page and find a site sponsor who is a dealer. Locally, you may find a radiator supplier in the phone book. We have one called Radiator Warehouse, that sells wholesale, to anyone. Much better price than auto parts store would give. Bigs savings.

Heater core replcement can be more involved than a radiator on some vehicles. Lots of dash parts to get out of the way, and you work in a tight place, so it is a bit more tediouis.

TitanBlue · 10-07-2007, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by artacus

Same here a few months ago in my 05. Turns out my radiator cap was leaking a bit ( splatter stains on the hose and engine cover). Just went and got a new one, about 13-14 bucks.

It is important to note on threads like this, that our radiator cap is not a normal one. It is not a typical pressure relieving cap, just a cover. It must be replaced with same type of cap to maintain OEM design. I've not found an aftermarket that matched. The Plastic cap on the overflow bottle, is a Pressure and Vacuum cap design.

I believe the smell of antifreeze is either a result of that cap when relieving pressure and fumes (but not spraying fluid) or possibly the Radiator cap, since it does have a rivet in the top, and may allow fumes at high presure.

I get no spray, but do smell antifreeze many times. I've already replaced my cap, and see no evidence it is faulty.

smokeum · 10-11-2007, 05:48 PM

I replaced the radiator cap. I couldn't tell anything was wrong with the one I took off but its been a couple of weeks now and so far so good. Probably won't know until next summer while sitting in traffic to see if this really fixed it.