Thread: Really strong antifreeze smell.

I just rechecked under the hood of the SOUL after about 70 miles of mostly highway driving in 90 degree heat with the a/c.
When I got home, I raised the hood with the engine off. I do not see any signs of of any coolant anywhere. The revovery tank is still on the full mark. It has been right on the money when hot since purchased. The smell is definately on the left side of the car. I cannot smell anything from the cap over to the right side. Only the left side, especially down lower.
If others who are smelling coolant would check the same areas on the cars and try to pinpoint the area of the smell and post it here, I'm sure it will help in diagnosis and repair in the event that a leak is actually discovered. Thanks. Phillip

I just took my Alien in for some of the TSBs and they found that my radiator cap was only holding 13 of 16 pounds pressure. They had to order some sort of filler neck assembly for it. It was all under warranty. You may want to have your dealer check it out. I'm not sure if it's a common problem or not.

OMG I am not crazy after all. My family always makes fun of me because they say I can smell a baby fart from 100 miles!! I have said that I can sometimes smell antifreeze. It is always when the car has been running for a good while. The temp gauge is okay and the levels are okay but I am going to keep on checking.

Originally Posted by Soul Sailor

OMG I am not crazy after all. My family always makes fun of me because they say I can smell a baby fart from 100 miles!! I have said that I can sometimes smell antifreeze. It is always when the car has been running for a good while. The temp gauge is okay and the levels are okay but I am going to keep on checking.

like previous owner, you should have dealer pressure test the cap. during hot summer, more pressure can build inside and it can be releasing small amount of "steam" hence antifreeze smell but not enough to cause watermark to go down.

Originally Posted by Rodville

No. I still swear I smell it and the level has not dropped. The wife thinks I am crazy. I will let you know if there is anymore updates.

When the antifreeze overflow/reservior bottle is filling and contracting normally it will resparate air which will of course smell like antifreeze.
One thing about the Soul is they seem to bring every odor possible from outside to inside through the huge blower intake at the bottom of the windshield. when you are idling in a parking lot the blower sucks in the air that smells like anti freeze and fills the cabin with the aroma.

I still smell the anti-freeze smell upon raising the hood when the car is warm. I am now at the 13k mile/16 month mark of ownership and have noticed a drop in the coolant reservoir tank. Only about 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch, but a drop none the less. I am going to have the dealer check the radiator cap. I don't know where the loss could be from as I never see a drop of fluid on the garage floor. Nor is the smell on the interior. Anyone else having this issue? Thanks, Phillip

Me too, I smell antifreeze as well.

Originally Posted by Phillip

I still smell the anti-freeze smell upon raising the hood when the car is warm. I am now at the 13k mile/16 month mark of ownership and have noticed a drop in the coolant reservoir tank. Only about 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch, but a drop none the less. I am going to have the dealer check the radiator cap. I don't know where the loss could be from as I never see a drop of fluid on the garage floor. Nor is the smell on the interior. Anyone else having this issue? Thanks, Phillip

If the rad cap is not holding pressure it won't spill on the floor, the antifreeze will evaporate. Under pressure heated liquids boil off at higher temps than normal. That is why the cap is rated for 16 psi. If the Rad cap is not holding the correct pressure the antifreeze will escape as steam and cause the smell.

This is actually common for all Kias. I've noticed it on all three of mine. Rondo, Optima, Amanti. At operating temp the Rondo and Amanti's temp gauges are always just below half, and the Optima has 5/12 bars. Remember that cooling systems need to "burp" air for maximum cooling efficiency. When antifreeze cools and contracts, it pulls air in through the overflow tube. When it heats back up, the fluid needs to get rid of the air in the system. That is the MAIN purpose for that hose coming from right under the radiator cap. The cap regulates the pressure and lets excess air out through that tube - to the overflow, and out the overflow tube. That is where your antifreeze smell is coming from. It is the way our system was designed.

I understand the cooling system design and it is the same design of any car I've owned since I can remember - certainly not one exclusive to KIA.
The radiator cap is of a pressure design allowing for the expansion and contraction of the coolant. The rubber hose that runs from radiator filler neck to the coolant recovery tank along with the radiator cap allows the coolant to travel back and forth. It is known as a sealed system.
The loss of coolant and the odor tells me there is a leak somewhere. I'm going to leave it up the dealer to find it.
I will post the results once I get them. Thanks, Phillip