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Sometimes my 2010 has a coolant / antifreeze smell, but the coolant level has not gone down in 5,000 miles.  The coolant level was slightly low when I purchased her, but after topping it off, hasn't been low since.  I know this smell from previous vehicles that have had leaks.  Any idea where to begin looking?  Info: 2010 2.0L gas engine, only 47,000 miles.

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Heater core, maybe.  Hoses  deliver coolant to the heater core and return the radiator fluid back to the cooling system.  A fan blows that heat into your passenger cabin.  That is one way the odor of antifreeze can enter your cabin.  

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My 2012 TC had that issue. I inspected everything....I mean everything and found nothing. Then one day as I looked through the engine compartment from an unusual angle to the back side of the radiator I saw a little orange discoloration on the radiator fins. Van had 72,000  miles on it and some of the fins were leaking at the seams/creases. The van had spent most of its life as a port security vehicle at the Port of Norfolk. I can only guess/assume that at some point those fins may have been bumped, gouged, scratched by a mechanic or a curious person looking under the hood. The salt air may have done its work to the damaged fins. Just my guess. I had the radiator issue remediated and the smell is gradually going away. Who knows how much residue may be on assorted parts of the engine/body from the long standing process of decay. I may be opening a can or worms but here we go.....make sure you have the system filled with the Ford branded Orange fluid or a product that you have verified to be an absolute equivalent. I had some challenges with an abundance of conflicting opinions about that. I finally went to the dealer and gave up a few dollars....tired of hearing yet more, more, more than I wanted to hear about types of radiator fluid.

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Forgot to specify, the smell is outside the cabin.  I'm going to go with the theory that it's a tiny leak, or nothing, for now and keep an eye on the engine temp.  I'll look around the radiator and check for crust on the hoses.  Thanks everyone.

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Mr. Jackson, you are correct.  In modern vehicles, you should use the manufacturer specified fluid type.  Not a multi-vehicle coolant or antifreeze.  

 

On 3/24/2019 at 10:49 AM, Bill Jackson said:

. I may be opening a can or worms but here we go.....make sure you have the system filled with the Ford branded Orange fluid or a product that you have verified to be an absolute equivalent.

 

 

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