Strong Smell of Radiator Fluid

[Ada63]

I have about 600 miles on my new Mav. I am touring the Sierras before shipping it home to Hawaii.

Two times when climbing prolonged hills/mtns there has been a very strong odor. It smells like radiator fluid.

Popped the hood and nothing seems amiss. Engine temp is normal.

Is this a new vehicle break-in or should I be concerned? Thanks in advance!
Angela

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[Decayed]

Not normal call your dealer. Did you use the heater? It could be a heater core leak - the heat comes from the engine coolant and if the core leaks into the vents that might cause it.

Definitely not normal. .

 

[fossil]

my first move would be to monitor coolant level daily

hopefully not one of those exhaust system deals

 

[Ada63]

I have not had the heater on. I am leaving for another 200 mile segment through Yosemite tomorrow with lots of climbing. I am in Mammoth Lakes with no dealer close by. Ugh. Will call dealer today. Ty

 

[Ada63]

my first move would be to monitor coolant level daily

hopefully not one of those exhaust system deals

 

[Ada63]

What is a exhaust system deal? Ty

 

[AutobahnSHO]

MAYBE a little coolant was spilled in the engine bay?
But yeah I'd get it checked!!!

 

[Ada63]

Any opinions on the level of coolant used in 600 miles of driving. Seems like it should be max, but getting close to minimum.

 

[fossil]

What is a exhaust system deal? Ty

there have been leaks on the exhaust system battery heat exchanger requiring a complete exhaust replacement.
coolant level should not drop below min.

 

[Decayed]

Coolant level should not drop in a properly functioning engine. You could get coolant odor from the HVAC system even if the heat isn't on because IIRC there is always coolant circulating through the heater core and when you turn the heat on all it does is route the air over the core instead of the A/C.

Check to see where the coolant odor is coming from - the exhaust, the air vents and also under the hood. Any drips?

 

[Jah.]

Check coolant level at cold and after it reaches normal operating temperature . it does expand after hot .

 

[RedRider]

The 2.0 EB has always had a small problem with slight weepage from the waterpump bearing seal. Its a bad design that they have never fixed in 10 years and 3 engine redesigns. I'd bet that's where the smell is coming from. Its a really small amount of fluid, so it takes a couple of years to get to the point where you have to top it up. Fixing it is really expensive, since the waterpump is almost the last thing to come off when stripping the engine down.

 

[Ada63]

Coolant level should not drop in a properly functioning engine. You could get coolant odor from the HVAC system even if the heat isn't on because IIRC there is always coolant circulating through the heater core and when you turn the heat on all it does is route the air over the core instead of the A/C.

Check to see where the coolant odor is coming from - the exhaust, the air vents and also under the hood. Any drips?

Hi, thank you. The smell is in air vents and under hood.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I have about 600 miles on my new Mav. I am touring the Sierras before shipping it home to Hawaii.

Two times when climbing prolonged hills/mtns there has been a very strong odor. It smells like radiator fluid.

Popped the hood and nothing seems amiss. Engine temp is normal.

Is this a new vehicle break-in or should I be concerned? Thanks in advance!
Angela

Hi there, I'd be happy to look into your Maverick concerns on my end. Will you send us a message with your VIN and dealership info? I can look into things on my end.

 

[Ada63]

Hi, I am not in possesion of my Mav as it is on a boat to Hawaii. Please provide contact info and I will get you VIN. Dealership is Downtown Ford in Sacramento, CA

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