I smell antifreeze but nothing on the ground

[Mike6158]

I'm in Death Valley this week. I drove here from TX. I keep smelling the faint odor of antifreeze when I get out of the LC but I can't see a leak anywhere. The truck isn't running hot but the overflow bottle was empty. I filled it up when I left so either it leaks or the system is pulling in the water I added. All appearances are normal except the smell and empty overflow bottle.

 

[r2m]

Our rear seat heater condenser when out a few years ago and it was a similar issue. Are you getting any odor inside of antifreeze? Check your rear carpets and in that area too.

 

[TXLX100]

I'd check the back of the engine where the heater core lines are and all the corners on the radiator. Have the heater T's and thermostat been changed out?

Also, I think it's possible to leak in the valley of the engine, but you'd have a hard time seeing that.

 

[Mike6158]

It's just when I'm outside of the car. I checked the area of the tees. Water pump was changed about 65k ago.

Engine valley is possible but I can't see anything there.

Idk. I'll keep an eye on the overflow bottle and watch for fluid on the ground but so far nothing is wet underneath and nothing is on the ground.

Should be an interesting 1500 miles when I leave next week

 

[aljollano]

It sound like you have a small crack in the radiator.

 

[TheForger]

I had the same problem a few weeks ago except I did have spots on the ground. I had to get a new top for my radiator - not sure of the exact part name but I can find out for you if you'd like. One trick you can do if you have a garage (or even just a level parking lot) is tape a large sheet of white banner paper to the ground, park on top of it, and let it sit for 24hrs.

 

[mallard75]

Sorry to side track but can you replace just the tip of the radiator? I thought it had to the whole thing. If not I would be very interested in said part number

 

[TheForger]

@mallard75 I'm sorry I got a little confused. The top portion was what had the crack in it - it looked like the thermoplastic stuff was finally giving out in a few spots. However, the entire radiator did have to be replaced. I wish I could have just replaced the top part, I'm sure that would've been a lot cheaper (but probably not as reliable as OEM).

 

[Mike6158]

I just got back from Death Valley. After over 3000 miles and cruise speeds as high as 80mph (west TX legal limit) and I had no heating issues, no coolant loss issues, zip... nada... zilch. The level in the radiator is right where I filled it to in Death Valley... Yet I can still smell coolant when I shut the engine off when I fuel up (only outside the truck not inside). I put some water in at Death Valley one morning because the level was below the fins in the radiator. Maybe 2 pints? The level never moved when I checked it after that. I haven't checked it since I got home (1am this morning) but I will...

I have a couple of theories...

Overflow bottle leaks? I can fill it up to the cold line in the morning and check it in the evening and it's empty. No water on the ground though. That one is is a real head scratcher

Looking at the fluid in the radiator... it's very opaque. Not quite water clear but not at all like a good antifreeze color. I think the original owner may have run more water than coolant. He did so good with everything else I didn't check the radiator when I bought it... I'll be draining and refilling it with fresh coolant this week. In DV the altitude change on some days was from near 300' below sea level to around 11,500' ASL. If the coolant mix wasn't right the fluid could boil, especially at higher altitudes, when the engine was shut off. Steam wouldn't leave a mark on the ground but I should be able to see it easily, especially at altitude, and I never saw it.

IDK wth is going on... but I'm going to dig around until I find it (or maybe a combination of things)

 

[mcgaskins]

A few months back I had the same thing happen. I couldn't figure it until I took it to a Land Cruiser expert, and he crawled underneath it, pointed a flashlight at the bottom corner and of course there was a tiny crack in it. There was also a tiny crack on the other side that wasn't leaking yet, so I had the whole thing replaced with an OEM unit and the issue went away. Sometimes parts like that just develop cracks due to age, so I would carefully inspect the whole thing and replace if you have cracking. I figured the first one lasted 16 years, so that's a repair I don't mind making once in that time frame.

 

[Mike6158]

Was this in the radiator or coolant bottle?

A few months back I had the same thing happen. I couldn't figure it until I took it to a Land Cruiser expert, and he crawled underneath it, pointed a flashlight at the bottom corner and of course there was a tiny crack in it. There was also a tiny crack on the other side that wasn't leaking yet, so I had the whole thing replaced with an OEM unit and the issue went away. Sometimes parts like that just develop cracks due to age, so I would carefully inspect the whole thing and replace if you have cracking. I figured the first one lasted 16 years, so that's a repair I don't mind making once in that time frame.

 

[mcgaskins]

Sorry I didn't specify - it was the radiator that had a couple tiny cracks. Just enough to leak out a little bit to the point I could smell it, but not enough to leave any on the ground.

 

[Mike6158]

I definitely have a leak but a very small one. In two days and over 1,500 miles the radiator was down 1/2 gallon. I'll bet your problem and mine are the same...

 

[mcgaskins]

Sounds like it - I never suffered any ill effects like overheating or running odd, I just had the faint smell. I would personally recommend going with a new OEM radiator which is what I did, but I'm sure there are other fixes to seal up the old one too.

 

[Mike6158]

That's the plan (OEM). Toyota built a heck of a vehicle, no sense in messing around with something as important as the engine cooler.

There used to be radiator repair shops around that could rebuild the entire radiator if necessary but plastic parts and environmental regs have probably put them out of business by now.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Could be the o-ring on the thermostat housing, look around the front center on the top of the block. Lots of little nooks where coolant can hide and evaporate rather than running to the ground.

 

[Mike6158]

A few months back I had the same thing happen. I couldn't figure it until I took it to a Land Cruiser expert, and he crawled underneath it, pointed a flashlight at the bottom corner and of course there was a tiny crack in it. There was also a tiny crack on the other side that wasn't leaking yet, so I had the whole thing replaced with an OEM unit and the issue went away. Sometimes parts like that just develop cracks due to age, so I would carefully inspect the whole thing and replace if you have cracking. I figured the first one lasted 16 years, so that's a repair I don't mind making once in that time frame.

Resurrecting an old thread but today I found the leak(s). The radiator neck leaks and the lower corner, drivers side, is leaking. I don't know why I didn't think of it before but I had been adding water, not antifreeze so the system coolant level was diluted more and more every time I added fluid. I think this problem came with the vehicle and the last owner solved it by adding water. The cooling system was mostly water which turns to steam when it leaks. I added antifreeze about a week ago but only just now was able to go for a drive. The antifreeze doesn't vaporize and now I have fluid on the ground. Not a lot but at least I know what I need to do - replace the radiator.

 

[BKLYNLandCruisn]

[removed]

 

[97 AZ LC]

I'm new to this forum and new owner of a 1999 Landcruiser with 126k miles on it.

Engine started running a little rough - intermittently... sometimes while in motion and sometimes at idle / at red lights. The rough running is enough to cause some vibration and rear window rattle. I smelled antifreeze under the hood and the reservoir was low so i refilled and have been monitoring the level there in addition to engine temps which remain normal. Radiator appears to have plenty of antifreeze (im using the pink/red variety).

I noticed a small leak which im pretty sure is antifreeze from driver's side - front of engine bay (poss crack in left side of radiator?)

Would a cracked/leaking radiator cause the engine to run rough / vibrate more than normal?

i have not noticed any white smoke in the exhaust (yet).

Bad idea to post in two places. I would delete this one and go with the other one.