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Coolant smell with heater on?

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by atk411, Dec 10, 2021.

  1. Dec 10, 2021 at 10:13 PM
    #1
    atk411

    atk411 [OP] New-ish Member

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    Orange County, CA
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    2022 Barcelona Red Off Road Premium
    Brand new (less than 1,000 miles), and there's a light coolant (sweet, like maple?) smell whenever I have the HVAC set to heat. I don't smell coolant when I'm outside.

    Is that normal, or is it likely what I'm finding on Google (heater core leak, etc)? Curious, before I bring it in to the dealership~
     
  2. Dec 10, 2021 at 11:41 PM
    #2
    Slopemaster

    Slopemaster Slope Survivalist

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    265-70-17 Ridge Grapplers, TRD Pro rims, 3M precut bra, N-Fab nerf/steps
    Sounds like a leaking heating core to me. Warranty time.
     
  3. Dec 11, 2021 at 12:07 AM
    #3
    onaquest

    onaquest New Member

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    Congrats on the new runner! I noticed the same thing when I got mine in 2018. It went away shortly after :) I got mine in the later part of the year, so I too was using the heating while it was brand spanking new.

    Enjoy your 4Runner.
     
  4. Dec 11, 2021 at 12:51 AM
    #4
    Toy4X4

    Toy4X4 New Member

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    RevTek 3" front- 2" rear leveling, JBA uca's, LED interior lights, Cooper 275-70-17 AT3 LT
    Or a clamp on the heater core hoses not tight. Warranty time.
     
    2Toys and LandCruiser like this.
  5. Dec 27, 2021 at 12:19 PM
    #5
    Jeff1

    Jeff1 New Member

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    Has anyone figured out what causes this? I have a 2022 with 400 miles and noticed once it gets up to temp I smell coolant for about 1-2 minutes then goes away.
     
  6. Dec 27, 2021 at 3:01 PM
    #6
    LandCruiser

    LandCruiser I have Toyotas

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    Make sure that yours hasn’t burped coolant. Sometimes they overfill at the factory and the heater core redistributes flow. But, yeah, that sounds like a leak.
     
  7. Dec 30, 2021 at 5:59 PM
    #7
    mrmike7189

    mrmike7189 New Member

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    Driving through New England in the fall, I ,often smell maple syrup too.!
    Just joking, sounds like a heater core issue for sure. Get it checked. If you are Canadian, I;d say it's just some spilled drinks in your ride!
    Mmm MapleScreenshot 2020-02-18 at 9.35.49 AM.jpg
     
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2021
    K-Paul and LandCruiser like this.
  8. Jan 5, 2022 at 1:10 PM
    #8
    TRD8

    TRD8 New Member

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    any updates on this?
     
  9. Jan 5, 2022 at 1:25 PM
    #9
    atk411

    atk411 [OP] New-ish Member

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    2022 Barcelona Red Off Road Premium
    Thanks for the nudge! As much as possible, I've been running with the windows cracked, heater on high, and highest fan setting. I wanted to see if I could dry any residual spillage and rule that out before taking it to the dealership. I think it worked, because I don't smell it as strongly anymore....that, or I've become noseblind to it...
     
  10. Jan 5, 2022 at 2:03 PM
    #10
    K-Paul

    K-Paul Looking for a water crossing

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    Dude you know you spent a brass monkey ballz amount of cash on that Runner :bananadance:

    Take

    It

    To

    The

    Dealer

    :bananadead:
     
    mrmike7189 and Toy4X4 like this.
  11. Jan 5, 2022 at 2:12 PM
    #11
    Doubleduty

    Doubleduty Life is better on the mountain

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    Check for wet/dampness on the front of the passenger side floorboard.
     
    mrmike7189 likes this.
  12. Oct 31, 2022 at 3:58 AM
    #12
    SYTY

    SYTY New Member

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    THE ARM PIT OF AMERICA NY STATE THE ROTTEN APPLE
    I'm having the same problem windshield fogs up for about a minute or two then it clears up. No leaks under the heater box & no leak on the drain hose in the engine compartment. I have 10,100 miles on my 2021 TRD Off Road, not very happy about this now that winter is coming.
     

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