[vinmansbrew]

2011 with about 76000 miles.
So, I am just trying to track this down. I get the smell of coolant while running and for a bit after.
I am not finding any obvious leaks, but I also do not have white smoke or any sort of codes.
To be fair, since I got the truck, I have always been able to smell it. Just maybe a bit more now.
Level does seem to gradually drop, but the coolant looks fine, so I don't think there is any sort of leak going into the tranny.
Back in december, I got sideswiped and it got repaired. Though I think the repair could have been better. The shop did not fill the fluid completely, so I had cold air at idle, which would warm up while driving. I have put more coolant in, and that cleared up.

It seems as though the smell may be stronger on the driver side, but that would be hard to back up.

Are there common leak points to look for? Is it possible that since the system was never properly bled, that the smell is coming from air in the system? Do the caps leak a bit? The truck does not overheat, temp gauge stays nice, even with some idling in the summer.

Just looking for a couple things to check out.

 

[kms1990]

the system is self bleeding. the pressure cap is on the fluid tank and bleeds air out as you use the truck. can you smell it inside the truck or just outside or both? the 10+ shouldnt have any issues with SMOD coolant/tranny fluid mixing that was fixed after 09. cant hurt to check it though, check the tranny fluid if it looks like a strawberry milkshake you have it. otherwise checking the hoses and clamps on them for proper tightness and no bulging or holes would be a good place to start

 

[vinmansbrew]

No, nothing inside. Just outside. Seem cooling is working fine, but I did have to add coolant this winter after getting it back from the shop. Temp gauge sits good, even in hot weather with air going. Just odd about the smell. To me anyways.

 

[kms1990]

bet you over filled slightly and it pushed the extra out and you are smelling it as it heats up on something in the engine bay. look for white ashy deposits these indicate dried up coolant has leaked onto whatever the deposits are on. it sounds like you have a leak but it may be very minor and not in an obvious spot

 

[Alaric504]

2011 Xterra Pro4X with the occasional hot coolant smell inside. Only smelled when I turn the heat on and then only for the initial blast then it goes away and all is fine. I will test the temperature difference and post that later. There have been no leaks and I did the open radiator fill and burp routine. Levels remain good and coolant is clean. I have only used the Nissan Extended Life. Next I am going to drain and refill the coolant when I decide to change the engine bay heater ported connection at the firewall. The one nearest to the passenger side. I am awaiting the complete replacement heater hose with the Tee component. From what I understand, one cannot change these two parts without losing a lot of coolant so it may be best just to change drain the coolant at the same time. As there are no leaks or fluid loss I got these parts in the off chance that they may be needed. Any ideas?

 

[XT2015]

2011 Xterra Pro4X with the occasional hot coolant smell inside. Only smelled when I turn the heat on and then only for the initial blast then it goes away and all is fine. I will test the temperature difference and post that later. There have been no leaks and I did the open radiator fill and burp routine. Levels remain good and coolant is clean. I have only used the Nissan Extended Life. Next I am going to drain and refill the coolant when I decide to change the engine bay heater ported connection at the firewall. The one nearest to the passenger side. I am awaiting the complete replacement heater hose with the Tee component. From what I understand, one cannot change these two parts without losing a lot of coolant so it may be best just to change drain the coolant at the same time. As there are no leaks or fluid loss I got these parts in the off chance that they may be needed. Any ideas?

Sounds like a very small leak in the interior heat exchanger below the dash. Maybe not yet visible but you are smelling it.