Coolant Smell/Leak

Will I Am · 09-29-2012, 06:29 AM

I've had my Z for a month now. It is an '09 with 10K miles on it. Problem is I keep smelling antifreeze, esp. when running AC. It is not inside of cabin, only outside from engine bay. I have searched everywhere trying to find a leak, even took off the undertray - nothing. Coolant level seems to be steady. Search on here found nothing of any help. Any help from anyone out there would greatly be appreciated!

Trips · 09-29-2012, 06:45 AM

Does it happen every time you have the Ac or while driving?

The reason I ask is because in traffic sometimes what you're smelling maybe coming from the car in front of you.

1st · 09-29-2012, 03:31 PM

I have smelt this to but its nothing its the radiator fluid doing its thing. I dont know what or how to explain it. Not only have i smelt it in the Z but other cars aswell if your fluid level is the same and no signs of leaking your just trippin.

Will I Am · 09-29-2012, 10:13 PM

Triple - Not so much when driving, but when I back into my driveway, I swing the door open so I can see the edge/end of it ( esp. since rearward view kinda sucks). The cooling fans blow the smell towards the back and I can really smell it. Even after I shut the car off and open the hood, I can still smell it. The only thing that looks suspicious is the small hose that goes from the engine to the overflow bottle is turning kinda crusty and white. Maybe the rubber is too porous? Don't ever see any leaks though.

2004YZFR1 · 09-29-2012, 10:53 PM

It might be a super small coolant leak from one of the heads. Too small to make a drip. the reason I say this is that on my wife's 2010 Altima coupe with the V6 it had a super small leak on one of the heads. They said that Nissan has had a problem with some of the V6 motors.

They pulled both heads and replaced the head gaskets under warranty.

kenny's 370z · 09-30-2012, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will I Am

Triple - Not so much when driving, but when I back into my driveway, I swing the door open so I can see the edge/end of it ( esp. since rearward view kinda sucks). The cooling fans blow the smell towards the back and I can really smell it. Even after I shut the car off and open the hood, I can still smell it. The only thing that looks suspicious is the small hose that goes from the engine to the overflow bottle is turning kinda crusty and white. Maybe the rubber is too porous? Don't ever see any leaks though.

that hose on mine is the same way so thats not it.do a visual check on your radiator cap making sure it doesnt need replacing.cause if it does,it will block the coolant overflow hose and excess pressure will cause the vapors to escape through the cap.

Will I Am · 09-30-2012, 08:16 PM

I assume you're talking about the metal pressure cap on the motor. I took it off and did a visual check - looks ok. The plastic cap on the bottle has no gasket, so I wonder about that one. I keep looking for a pinhole in the radiator, but found nothing.

SouthArk370Z · 10-01-2012, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will I Am

... The plastic cap on the bottle has no gasket, so I wonder about that one. ...

There is not supposed to be a gasket on the bottle cap. It is not under pressure.

drdre8424 · 11-22-2012, 02:03 PM

I thought i would add on to this thread instead of making a new one, but today i noticed by coolant reservoir very empty. Just a few weeks ago when i got my oil changed it was just below the min mark. i was just wondering how much coolant the Z should use up during the winter months?

2004YZFR1 · 11-22-2012, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drdre8424

I thought i would add on to this thread instead of making a new one, but today i noticed by coolant reservoir very empty. Just a few weeks ago when i got my oil changed it was just below the min mark. i was just wondering how much coolant the Z should use up during the winter months?

Your car shouldn't use any anti freeze. Unless you have a leak or it gets hot and comes out of the overflow it should stay at the same level.

09-29-2012, 06:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
Will I Am Base Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 70 Drives: 2009 Z Rep Power: 13	Coolant Smell/Leak I've had my Z for a month now. It is an '09 with 10K miles on it. Problem is I keep smelling antifreeze, esp. when running AC. It is not inside of cabin, only outside from engine bay. I have searched everywhere trying to find a leak, even took off the undertray - nothing. Coolant level seems to be steady. Search on here found nothing of any help. Any help from anyone out there would greatly be appreciated! __________________ 2009 PG 370Z Touring/Sport Auto

09-29-2012, 06:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
Trips Administrator Join Date: May 2009 Location: Disneyland, Ca Posts: 8,730 Drives: 🔰 Rep Power: 10	Does it happen every time you have the Ac or while driving? The reason I ask is because in traffic sometimes what you're smelling maybe coming from the car in front of you. __________________

09-29-2012, 03:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
1st A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: I 80 Biz U.S. 50 Posts: 1,708 Drives: Platinum Z Rep Power: 1616	I have smelt this to but its nothing its the radiator fluid doing its thing. I dont know what or how to explain it. Not only have i smelt it in the Z but other cars aswell if your fluid level is the same and no signs of leaking your just trippin. Last edited by 1st; 09-29-2012 at 03:37 PM.

09-29-2012, 10:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Will I Am Base Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 70 Drives: 2009 Z Rep Power: 13	Triple - Not so much when driving, but when I back into my driveway, I swing the door open so I can see the edge/end of it ( esp. since rearward view kinda sucks). The cooling fans blow the smell towards the back and I can really smell it. Even after I shut the car off and open the hood, I can still smell it. The only thing that looks suspicious is the small hose that goes from the engine to the overflow bottle is turning kinda crusty and white. Maybe the rubber is too porous? Don't ever see any leaks though. __________________ 2009 PG 370Z Touring/Sport Auto

09-29-2012, 10:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
2004YZFR1 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Las Vegas Nevada Posts: 308 Drives: 09 370Z yellow,auto Rep Power: 15	It might be a super small coolant leak from one of the heads. Too small to make a drip. the reason I say this is that on my wife's 2010 Altima coupe with the V6 it had a super small leak on one of the heads. They said that Nissan has had a problem with some of the V6 motors. They pulled both heads and replaced the head gaskets under warranty. __________________ K & N Filters \| HPS silicone air intakes\| Fast Intentions CBE with 18" resonators \|

09-30-2012, 08:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
Will I Am Base Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 70 Drives: 2009 Z Rep Power: 13	I assume you're talking about the metal pressure cap on the motor. I took it off and did a visual check - looks ok. The plastic cap on the bottle has no gasket, so I wonder about that one. I keep looking for a pinhole in the radiator, but found nothing. __________________ 2009 PG 370Z Touring/Sport Auto

11-22-2012, 02:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
drdre8424 Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: https://t.me/pump_upp Posts: 133 Drives: 09 Pearl 370z Auto Rep Power: 0	Coolant consumption I thought i would add on to this thread instead of making a new one, but today i noticed by coolant reservoir very empty. Just a few weeks ago when i got my oil changed it was just below the min mark. i was just wondering how much coolant the Z should use up during the winter months?

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