Every time I drive my truck, even a short distance, there's a strong antifreeze smell outside the front of the truck, but when I open the hood, I never see anything wet. Is this a common issue? Maybe there's something in particular I can look more closely at for a leak.
If you can't visibly see a leak your only course of action is to pressure test the system, or take it to a shop to have them look/pressure test the system.
Pay special attention to the radiator, particularly where the plastic tank joins with the metal cooling tubes - and also where the top radiator hose connects to the radiator.
Often, a small crack or leak in the top plastic tank will allow a little bit of coolant to seep out, but it evaporates before it can drip down the entire length of the cooling tubes. Result: Coolant smell, but no coolant dripping on the ground.
Sometimes, you can see residue from the coolant where it has evaporated.
Every time I drive my truck, even a short distance, there's a strong antifreeze smell outside the front of the truck, but when I open the hood, I never see anything wet.
Sounds like a small leak, have you had to add any coolant yet?
Anyway, I think I'd just check the ground under the truck regularly, and go "under" and look for a leak like once monthly. Likely pretty soon the leak will become visible, and unlikely that this will go to gusher leak all at once.
When I first bought my 2012, I swore I was smelling coolant occasionally, but was unable to find a leak. Turns out the wiper fluid that came with the truck had an awful coolant-like aroma, and when I cleaned out the reservoir, I no longer had the issue. Do you notice it more when you use the wiper fluid?
Had an 08 and now an 11 model with this same issue. No visible leakage, no fluid ever added! On the 08 I fixed it by replacing the cap on the radiator. Haven't replaced the one on the 11 yet. But strangely, never have to add coolant.
Hi: poppop... I smelled the coolant when leaving the truck. Nothing visible? I replaced the rad cap with one from NAPA but the caps are so different. Nissan Parts Dept. cap $50., 16# NAPA cap, under $20.
Haven't driven to much over the Holidays to check it out again though.
CanNissan N.S. of Lake Erie :hi:
I just ordered a new rad cap and overflow tank cap, as we had a strong smell of coolant when at the Turkey Rod Run in Daytona last weekend while sitting in traffic waiting to get in the speedway.
When we got home, there was a small bit of dried up crusty white around the radiator cap.
I've yet to find a leak anywhere near the radiator/hose, but did see this underneath when changing the oil. Looking from the top, I don't see any coolant though, only noticed a couple drops on the ground while I was under there.
That's the oil pan, torque converter housing, starter area in the pics.
I have some dried up coolant around my cap. It never ran down anywhere and I never noticed it until checking the oil. All fluids are at the top. Think i may purchase a new radiator cap and keep an eye on it.
Perhaps the caps have an issues since i see other people with the same year (2011) and issue?
Same here, and a bit of white residue around the cap, but never had to add any fluid. Took it to a dealer and of course they never found anything... truck never runs hot or gives me any troubles, but the smell is definitely there. I have moved to a different area, so I have a new local dealer. I'll have it checked out eventually, if changing out the cap doesn't help.
I remember when I had a 2008 tundra with 5.7L. It would loose coolant. But no visible leaks. In ended up being the cap after the techs pressure tested it and it failed. New cap and no more coolant issues ever again.
I got the rad cap and coolant tank cap from my Nissan dealer and they are different part numbers. I have the P/N's at home if anyone needs them. Anyway, I replaced them 2 weeks ago and no more smell.
Hi: All... These trucks sure would be expensive if you got 'em "One piece at a time"!!! I thought the Generals were made out of Gold.
CanNissan N.S. of Lake Erie :hi:
I drove my Frontier today and when I got home I took a sniff around the radiator cap... Sure enough, a strong smell of antifreeze but no noticeable drips or leaks. I ordered a replacement cap today today and will report back after I have it installed. <fingers crossed>
Just got the replacement radiator cap installed yesterday and drove it for the first time today. Coolant smell is still present but much better so I think I'm going to spring for the coolant tank cap too just to rule both caps out. I'm at 65k miles so it can't hurt.
What's interesting now is the smell seems to disappear quickly after shutting off the engine where before it would linger for a while.
After roughly 3 weeks I've noticed it's all but gone. I have a very narrow passage where I park & it used to be very strong as it idled in the driveway. During the summer when the electric fan was on it was really bad.
I noticed a very pronounced depression on the rad cap seal when replacing it. It looked a lot older than it should have.
It might be old leftover residue you're smelling. Maybe if it's not leaking anymore, the smell goes away quicker after it cools down because it's not still coming out. Just a guess. It'll probably take a long time to go away unless you can spray it off.
I am having same issues with my 2011 CC. Coolant smell out side truck, no visible leaks. I have replaced both caps with OEM from dealer, and smell is still there.
It does take a little while for the smell to dissipate. I went to the scrubby-bubby (do it yourself pressure wand wash) and DID NOT spray under the hood, but just rinsing fresh water through the grill seemed to help.