I recently replaced the radiator to a Koyo in my 2005 with 100K miles and noticed that whenever I take it for a drive, it would strictly smell coolant near the bleeder screw. I tried cleaning the area near the bleeder screw and it would smell in that vicinity after a drive. I can't visually see nor feel any leak. Any idea what might be causing the smell near that area outside of the bleeder screw itself? Anything around or under that might be causing the smell?

I initially had some seepage on the ends of the hoses highlighted in red, but changed and not leaking anymore.



I noticed after a 30-45 minute highway drive, I would lose approximately 1/4 inch on the overflow tank (when it was @ max).

Any help to point me in some direction on what can be possibly causing this would be greatly appreciated.

 

Did you bleed the system properly? There is a possibility that there is still air purging from the system and the space taken up by that air is being filled by the coolant in the overflow.

 

Same thought. Key test, if heater doesn't burn your fingers, you still got air.

 

I used the billman method (and thus spilled some coolant near the bleeder screw). The heater will burn my fingers within 5 secs or so, I don't think that's the issue and the lingering smell of coolant near the bleeder screw is bothering me. I feel like something is leaking, but I just can't seem to find it. The decreasing coolant--I believe is just a byproduct of that.

I used brake cleaner on a cloth to wipe off the area near the bleeder screw--making sure there wasn't any smell. Took it for a drive and once I popped the hood, I can smell coolant in the same vicinity again. I checked every hose near the area that might be the culprit but I can't seem to see any signs of seepage/leak. Would a weeping water pump or anything else that might make the smell very prominent in the bleeder screw area?

 

Are you getting super-hot heat in the interior in a short time, even on cold mornings? Right?

Thanks!

 

When it's just idling, it takes a bit of time but when I'm driving from a cold start without warming up--I would say takes approximately a minute to get very hot (enough to burn my hands if I place it there for 5+ secs)

 

Sounds like the air is out of the system.

Has the engine been overheating?

 

None. The last couple drives I've been driving with the scan tool attached. On a stop light, I'm around 90-92C ECT and 86-88C when moving.

 

If spilled coolant its all down side of block. Brake cleaner and rag wouldn't get it all. Also wrong tool for job.

Water. Hose. When engine cool, hose it down. Avoid direct spray of alternator, avoid tb and definitely make sure nothing goes near intake.

No need to blast, just run water over area.

 

Thanks. I'll try that again. That was actually the first thing I did to wash it down with a hose but I will report back after trying it again. Thank you