Coolant Smell

[Figman]

Hello there:

I have a '01 SE7 with ACE and 50K; lately I began to smell coolant on and around the front of the truck. I check the fluids regularly and over this past weekend I noticed the coolant reservoir level low to the point that the lower hose that connects cannot suck any more coolant. It is not leaking on the ground, I park on the same spot every night and since it is a Land Rover I?m always checking for leaks. I bought the recommended Dexcool antifreeze and brought back to level. Last night while talking to my friend, I turned on the truck and the smell came so quick and strong that he started to check his car thinking it has a coolant leak.

Anyway, is this an indication of an internal leak; the smell is not always present, or at least I got used to it. Head gasket leak perhaps? What should I do? Should I wait to see if the level goes down again or should I drive straight into the dealership? I have the LR extended warranty.

Thanks

Figman

 

[barshnik]

I'll be watching this as well, my '01 D2 has had (intermitent) coolant smells since I got it. Coolant levels have remained steady though, so it must be a very small leak somewhere. Dealer has found nothing 'wrong'.

John F

 

[jsonova99]

If you have the warranty, I would take it straight in, why wait for something bad to happen. Mine did this a few years back and then somehow managed to fix itself because I no longer get the smell or notice any drops in coolant level, although I check it atleast once a week. When you find out what it is, let us know. My guess is head gasket, probably leaking down on the manifolds and evaporating.

 

[DannyDisco]

Check the back driver's side corner of your cylinder head. This is common, the coolant drips onto your catalytic convertor and evaporates, hence a strong smell and no puddle of coolant. Does your exhaust stink like rotten eggs? If so it'll be an internal cylinder head gasket leak.

PS: Bars stop leak worked for my leak

 

[dmcfan]

I have an 03 so I can't compare the 4.6 to your 4.0 but mine had the same smell and it was the gasket on the throttle body. That might be an 4.6 problem only though. Do a pressure test and you will find it.

 

[robertofollia]

Two possible cures and remedies.
If the coolant smell is more noticeable at idle, taking your head out of the window, thetwo spots are:
1.- Rad leak. Not noticeable as it evaporates before going to the ground. It's a design fault. The O-ring between rad tank and rad core simply goes. Mine did. You might see some drips(very small) in the steering bar which connects steering box with the swivel/hub. I needed a top up every 600 miles. Does not leak directly on the ground

2.- Hose leak. Only left 1 o 2 drips. As it is hot it evaporates. Open the hood/bonnet, look at the water pump (right of the engine, passenger side, your left as you're standing in front of the truck). You'll see 2 small rubber tubes which connect that and climb upwards, pass near the 1st cylinder of the right exhaust manifold and then go to the firewall to meet the heater matrix. Well, these pipes leak. You'll need a small torch in order to look down there (near the exhaust manifold). Feel it with your fingertips. Most probably your fingers will end wet. Why? Because the union of these flexi pipes with the metal pipe is held with an elastic clip that is crap. if that is your case (as mine was, too), throw that clip to the dustbin, buy a decent adjustable one and fit.

Problem gone!

Hope you on't have to renew your rad.

 

[DannyDisco]

I have an 03 so I can't compare the 4.6 to your 4.0 but mine had the same smell and it was the gasket on the throttle body. That might be an 4.6 problem only though. Do a pressure test and you will find it.

Throttle body de-icer is a problem for all Bosch engines, most problems with one will translate to the others.

 

[hywy61]

very common problem - do a search - this has been discussed quite a bit.

I had a leaky intake gasket. No noticable leaks but coolant level would drop a little.

 

[Figman]

Ok friends; I took the truck to the dealer, they checked for leaks on the cooling system and found nothing. Also, they did a pressure test and found nothing. I check my cooland reservoir and still is at the same level as last week when I filled up to the recommened level.

what should I do? or what should I expect? the cooland smell comes and goes

Thanks

Figman