Coolant Smell after sitting in hot sun? - Toyota Yaris Forums

Snappy · 05-30-2009, 03:29 PM

So, I liked my 2007 Hatch so much that I bought a second one used. Have had it for about three weeks. Recently became aware of a coolant smell after the car has sat in the sun for a while. Weather here just reaching the 70s-80s now, nothing too hot. Took it for a drive last evening, no smell. Went back to the car after I had been back for about an hour, no smell. This morning, went out, car in sun, opened door, coolant smell. Level in radiator overflow tank seems to have dropped 3/4 inch since I have had the car. If you unsnap the panel under the steering column, you can see the side of the heater core, and the connected metal water lines. No apparent dampness there. The car is a little darker in color than my other one, old one Meteorite, new one Bayou Blue, and the darker color does seem to soak up the sun a bit more. Beginnings of a leak in the heater core? Why doesn't it smell while I am driving? Anyone think of any other path for coolant smells into the cabin? (No puddles, drips, or visible wetness underhood or under the car.) The car was certified, and the original warrantee is still in effect for another month, so I will take it to the dealer. Heater core replacement seems to be a lot of work with the Hatch, requiring removal of the steering column as well as the windshield wipers and the whole dash according to the manual, so best I let the techs do it! Anybody have any input?

05-30-2009, 03:29 PM	#1
Snappy Drives: 2 Yaris Hatchbacks Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 44	Coolant Smell after sitting in hot sun? So, I liked my 2007 Hatch so much that I bought a second one used. Have had it for about three weeks. Recently became aware of a coolant smell after the car has sat in the sun for a while. Weather here just reaching the 70s-80s now, nothing too hot. Took it for a drive last evening, no smell. Went back to the car after I had been back for about an hour, no smell. This morning, went out, car in sun, opened door, coolant smell. Level in radiator overflow tank seems to have dropped 3/4 inch since I have had the car. If you unsnap the panel under the steering column, you can see the side of the heater core, and the connected metal water lines. No apparent dampness there. The car is a little darker in color than my other one, old one Meteorite, new one Bayou Blue, and the darker color does seem to soak up the sun a bit more. Beginnings of a leak in the heater core? Why doesn't it smell while I am driving? Anyone think of any other path for coolant smells into the cabin? (No puddles, drips, or visible wetness underhood or under the car.) The car was certified, and the original warrantee is still in effect for another month, so I will take it to the dealer. Heater core replacement seems to be a lot of work with the Hatch, requiring removal of the steering column as well as the windshield wipers and the whole dash according to the manual, so best I let the techs do it! Anybody have any input?