When I picked up my new Mr on Saturday; on the drive home I was smelling this burnt smell in the cabin. The heater was on> I did stop to check but couldnt see anything, so I got a bite to eat and resuming my drive home no new smell just the lingering after-effects. yesterday day 2 of my Mr's ownership no smell all was good, but tonight on the way home from work again with the heater on again a faint smell. So I pulled over and then I smelled a collant leak. yes it was that reaky smell of anti-freeze. I have looked and looked to no avail. It is strongest on the left side directly above the manifold and near the belts. It smells especially when the fan comes on.

Anybody have an idea of where/ what this could be?

Hopefully it is a loose hose or something similar.

I guess I'll call tomorrow where I bought it to see what to do next...oh well this is the life with a high strung auto....

Q

 

You shouldn't have any leaky hose issues on the left side, unless it's leaking from the hose to the overflow tank. The fan might spray it on the hot manifold when it turns on. You might want to check the coolant lines to the turbo. You'll see them on the right side of the cyl head, below the radiator hose.

 

On the 05s there was a TSB out for the water pump (freeze plug usually).. It is over in the area you described-- near belts, right above alternator. Check the freeze plug (the brass thing in the hole) in the water pump to make sure it is sealed off properly as they blew out quite often on some of then.. What year is the car? Did you buy it new or used?

 

coolant smells sometimes are headgasket problems

 

check your oil to see if theres any antifreeze color in it. If so your head gasket is on its way out. Unlikely but give it a check.After that bring it back to the dealer and have him check for leaks.

 

No antifreeze smell coming from exhaust. No Antifreeze in Oil, it seems to do this when the heater is on. The engine bay is so tight it's hard to see where it is coming from. But I definately will let the techs look at it. Tahnx for th heads up about the TSB. But it is an 06 MR new with only 450 miles and has been babied since I've had it. I am sure it is a heater issue cause that is when it happens.


Q

 

i've got antifreeze on the other side, seems to be either being blown onto my uicp or whatever... definitely on that side. i dont see any leaking coming from my radiator hoses or anything, and there is no antifreeze mixed in with the oil. Still trying to hunt this one down.