Open my hood up and the first thing that hits you is the sweet smell of antifreeze. Been that way since I bought the car....we're talking like almost 3 years ago. Its not leaking anywhere. I check the fluid level regularly and there is always the same amount in there. Replaced the water pump about 20,000 miles ago. Only thing I can think of is when I bought the car....the coolant line that runs under the intake manifold was leaking. Could there really still be any residual antifreeze under there....or at least enough to make it smell????

 

My car has done the same for 2.5 years. It runs at 170 all the time. I dont even worry about it anymore

 

Something is every so slightly seaping, the fun is finding it.

 

banana in the tailpipe?

 

With unmodified fan settings the coolant is going
to get up to about 220F, and that will make the
glycol be pretty aromatic (vapor pressure well above
ambient). When the radiator cap cracks you'll get a
good whiff out of the venting, and then it will likely
condense on everything cooler, and stick around.

Even if there is nothing abnormal, not to say there
isn't.

I run my fans & 'stat a lot colder than stock and don't
have any coolant smell. But I do recall it from when it
was new.

 

doesn't running a colder thermostat (like a 160) cause more wear on the motor esp. in a daily driver?

 

The cap for the antifreeze reserve(overflow) is vented. That's it...

Tommy