Smell of anti-freeze

[mazdarichie]

My baby has had a antifreeze smell for about 2 years now. When it was still under warranty I had it checked at the dealer. They of course could find nothing. It does not leak anything at all. I have crawled around under it looking for any sign of a drip. It does appear to be losing a little fluid because once in a while I need to add fluid to the overflow bottle. It is quite irritating to have this strong smell and no sign of a leak. All you have to do is walk by it and that is all you can smell is Anti-freeze. Is this common to the Mazdaspeed Protege or is this a true problem?

 

[gadget]

If you aren't leaking, are you burning it? Exhust will be white if you are, esp. if you tromp on it.

(coffee)

 

[4orcefed]

The turbo on our cars are water and oil cooled. The turbo gets really hot and when the atifreeze runs through it, its bound to burn alittle. I have had the anti freeze smell since I bought it brand new.....

 

[mazdarichie]

Yeah that is where I feel it is coming from. The turbo was leaking oil and was taken care of under warranty. There is nothing white out of the exhaust either. I would hope there is nothing wrong with it. I only have 21,100 miles on it.

 

[mazdaspeedwerx]

I am pretty sure it's common

 

[BOOSTR]

Its all too common for sure. What cause the strong smell seems to be mystery all though there are a few theories.
Mine has had it from day one and yet its been pressure tested(no leaks), put different clamps on the hoses and checked thouroughly. So as long as it runs cool and doesn't smoke at startup and while running, its just something that you have to live with. I have another water cooled turbo mazda and it does not produce the same smell. Its another MSP quirk.

 

[tweakingmsp]

Mine had a real strong anti-freeze smell until the system got flushed out, now I can't smell it at all.

 

[mazdarichie]

Yeah I guy I work with suggested I flush it out. Probably time to do it anyway, Hopefully that will help.

 

[speed1585]

I have had the smell for the last 4 years since i got the car, I had to replace my tstat and I got a radiator flush after that I still smell it but it does seem like a little less.