Smelling coolant on a 2012..

I've had my 2012 Tacoma now for 5 months and since the first month I've smelled coolant coming from the front grill. I've taken it in twice now and nothing can be found. They did replace the cap....nothing. There's no leaks and the coolant in the over flow tank is always at the same level. When I get home my whole garage smells like coolant, but no leaks. The guy at the carwash said I must have a leak cause it smells so bad. I'm taking it in again next week..... What a PITA...

 

I have same odor with my V6 2009. It is most likely frm the venting of the overfow tank. Had it now for three years and no coolant lose but smell evaporating antifreeze every now and again.

 

Look for a white residue. If its on a hot part of the engine it can evaporate before you see a drip.

 

Possible your mistaking the coolant smell for the smell of a new engine that is breaking in?

 

No...It's coolant and the smell is coming from the driver side of the engine bay. The overflow bottle is on the left side. If you stick your nose on the driver side of the grill you can really smell it, not so much for the pass side...

I'm taking it back for the third time next week.

 

From reading your posts, if you such a strong smell of antifreeze, you must have some sign of a leakage. Do you smell antifreeze inside you cab with the windows up ? You should have some liquid on the ground for such a strong smell. I am not saying you are wrong, but a smell of any product, be it Oil or Gasoline or Antifreeze is a sign of a problem.
When you do make a trip to the dealer, have them warm the engine to operating temp. , turn off the Taco, then apply a pressure tester to the radiator and look for leaks and see if the gauge loses pressure. To me, if you smell it that strong up front, one of the tanks of your radiator may be failing.
Good Luck.

 

If you can, leave the truck overnight and have them pressure test it cold as well, as most leaks actually turn up when cold, and stop leaking when warm. It can go the opposite way as mentioned, but bottom line, any leak should show up if is pressure tested both cold and hot.

Another thought, do you know what an overcharging battery smells like? It's the location you describe, and can create an awefull smell. Either a faulty voltage regulator or a shorted cell can cause it.

 

I have this exact same thing on my 2012. Did you figure it out. I would like to figure mine out too!

 

i say this, this happened on my very first truck (1995 f-150) the timing gasket was old and only leaked when it was cold, when it warmed up, i went away because heat expands metal so it would close back up.


but this would be a good place to start, leave at the dealer overnight or drop it off EARLY in the morning when they first open and ask them to pressure test it later in the day after your truck cooled off

 

My 09 has that smell its been doing it since the day I got it new in oct. of 2008 took it in twice and they said they find nothing wrong with it. My coolant level has never dropped. The funny thing is my dads 2006 Colorado does the same thing.

 

Same here with my 2009. I noticed this very early on and watched the reservoir level and water pump shaft closely. Was worried about it esp seeing the high water pump failure rates on some other Toyota models (GF's 2009 Camry wp died at 22k miles). Also thought about it being an intake or head gasket that would be harder to diagnose. But I have never had to add any coolant so it isn't leaking. Just get the smell once in awhile.

 

Had a bad head gasket on an old van which caused this smell.

 

I use to get that coolent smell, found some residue on the overflow tank line where it connects. Finally realized my radiator was loose, once I tightened it up, no more issues.

 

the dealer didnt pressure test it?

my wife's car..did this. i must have the nose of a beagle. it was there, i could smell it. nobody else could. drove me crazy. i MADE the dealer pressure test it..we found it. it was a tiny, leak where the thermostat was..the plastic cracked.

trust your nose.

 

subbed for resolution.

 

In4sub. Going to see I can notice anything with our '12

 

Wife's nearly new Edge smelled of antifreeze w/no visible leaks or loss of coolant. 4 visits to the dealer later it has a new water pump. It doesn't take much at all for you to smell it when it's hot. New parts can fail too.

 

I've never noticed this smell with my truck and I'm pretty anal when it comes to noticing new ticks, rattles, smells, etc...

The only time I've ever smelt anything different was right after my supercharger install I could smell the the rtv sealant/formagasket or w/e as I was breaking it in.

I just went out for a solid rip and came back and smelled nothing coolant related.

Dunno, hope you guys figure it out

 

Give the engine a good hose down and cleaning when cold.

Maybe at the build some coolant got on the exhaust headers and puts off a smell when warmed up?

 

OP any updates? My 2012 only has the smell right after driving. It's gone after a few hours I can care less about the smell just dont want to have a problem.

Also no visible signs of a leak just the smell only and same spot drivers side up by grill

Sunday I will go over it with a fine tooth comb and watch my overflow tank like a hawk.