anubis757 · Oct 25, 2021

2004 HSE TD4 125k

Hello to all , hope everyone is ok.

SInce i goit my FL after a drive when its warm it smells like coolant or like radiator ......
but there not any leaks, engine bay or inside, the level is always on MAX, and the temp always on the middle.
Why it smells like coolant????!!!!!!

Any ideas?!!
Many thanks to all

flat · Oct 25, 2021

Probably a very slight weep somewhere that doesn’t do enough to make a drip but rather a mist of coolant when hot.

I had similar on my defender and eventually traced it to a weep in the radiator. I used UV dye to trace it eventually

anubis757 · Oct 25, 2021

THank you for reply
Been there done that....NOTHING!!!

The smell gets stronger close to reservoir but there is nothing there!!!

andyfreelandy · Oct 25, 2021

Cracked reservoir or bad cap letting out hot fumes but not liquid??

Nodge68 · Oct 25, 2021

andyfreelandy said:
Cracked reservoir or bad cap letting out hot fumes but not liquid??

This.

anubis757 · Oct 27, 2021

my friends nothing the reservoir is dry as a bone

kermit_rr · Oct 27, 2021

That's not good!
When it's cold, top it up to the correct level as marked then let the engine warm up, you may need to bleed the system.
Then check again for leaks

flat · Oct 27, 2021

anubis757 said:
my friends nothing the reservoir is dry as a bone

If the reservoir is dry as a bone then the system is under filled. Or it has leaked out.
How often do you check it?

miktdish · Oct 27, 2021

anubis757 said:
my friends nothing the reservoir is dry as a bone

Thats a major problem.....

GrumpyGel · Oct 27, 2021

miktdish said:
Thats a major problem.....

Mine has this major problem every week or so before I top it up.

Dunno if the TD4 is so forgiving as the L Series.

anubis757 · Oct 27, 2021

You gents didnt understand.
Dry as bone round the reservoir for leaks.
The level is always at maximum. the temp is always half i never need to top it no matter how many miles. Its always on level.
When i bought the car a year and half ago i bought a new reservoir i didnt like the yellow color on the old one. I have changed the coolant for new one and its been perfect since then. BUt the smell it smells like a radiator the you put water instead of coolant....

Nodge68 · Oct 27, 2021

anubis757 said:
Dry as bone round the reservoir for leaks.

Are you sure there's no cracking around the filler neck? It's very common for them to crack and gas off slightly after shutdown.

anubis757 · Oct 27, 2021

I have tested the reservoir with pressure, it was a test i did when i bought it . And the smell was there before the replacement of the reservoir. I have checked all pipes for leaks. I used XSPC EC6 Recolour Coolant Dye and i left there for 4 weeks and there was no trace. Only the smell
And it is still there. if it is stronger sometimes than others...maybe but its still there

GrumpyGel · Oct 27, 2021

Have you been drinking that cheap wine that's got anti-freeze in it again?

kermit_rr · Oct 27, 2021

Maybe some has been spilled on the past and you can just smell residue when it gets warm?

htr · Oct 28, 2021

I know you sense the smell strongest near the coolant reservoir - All pipe clamps secure? How about down at the IRD cooler pipe connections as I've read that the metal connections can corrode.

If the radiator is the original then I'd also suggest having a carefully look at where the horizontal tubes go into the side tanks. That joint area can crack and you get a weep. Check all sides - front & back, left & right. You may see a coolant stain. You will need a bright torch.

miktdish · Oct 28, 2021

GrumpyGel said:
Mine has this major problem every week or so before I top it up..

Nah, thats a real problem the level really shouldn'd change from month to month.
Undo trhe screw on the radiator and top up untoil fill/ Undo the cap on the thermosatat housing mnd fill an then fill the res up to the line.
Rumn the engine untoil 'hot' amd then fill the exaansion tank up to the line and put the cap on.
Turn of the engine and sqqueeze all the pipes and check the res'
If its low repeat, youcan get air locks.

If the res contines to empty, and you cant see a problem, (ie no pink residue auound the pipes. pump or engine) check the area under the heater. If the heater is cold you need to undo the pipe clamp from the heater that goes back to thje pipe on the head, run the engine till hot and water/coolant pi55ed out and refit.

anubis757 · Oct 28, 2021

My friends. The level is always on max. There are no variations. Meaning is not loosing coolant. When i used the dye i looked everywhere . up down around everywhere. there was no leaks or moist around anywehere.

flat · Oct 28, 2021

If you aren’t loosing coolant then just get on with your life and don’t worry about it lol

miktdish · Oct 28, 2021

miktdish said:
Nah, thats a real problem the level really shouldn'd change from month to month.
Undo trhe screw on the radiator and top up untoil fill/ Undo the cap on the thermosatat housing mnd fill an then fill the res up to the line.
Rumn the engine untoil 'hot' amd then fill the exaansion tank up to the line and put the cap on.
Turn of the engine and sqqueeze all the pipes and check the res'
If its low repeat, youcan get air locks.

I really must wear my glasses ... and figure out why the spell checker doesn't work on this forum ???

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