Couple weeks ago I notice Coolant spray fluid around my radiator cap area. You can also see coolant on the lower engine cover. I bought a new cap and added the missing Coolant thinking maybe it's a bad cap.

I been watching it after I changed the cap and the problem stopped. I also monitored the temperature guage and also checked the coolant temp with my obd app and the car didnt overheat.

Today the Coolant smell came back. When I checked the same problem return. I found coolant spray around my radiator cap. I can't figure where it's coming from. Any idea?

 

Maybe the neck is cracked? How's the hoses look? I replaced the one from the overflow to the radiator as well and that helped with a smell I was getting. Might need to rent a pressure tester and then pump it up to see any leaks.

 

Is it a duralast cap? Haha I had this same problem with duralast caps. Eventually calcium built up around the little ring on top of the cap and plugged it. Hahaha

 

You can lend tools from your local parts store (autozone, o reilly) and pressure test your system. It should give you an idea if you have a leak.

 

I'll rent the pressure test tool to check for leaks.

the strange think about this is it only does it while I'm driving. After getting back from work I ran the car for another 20 minutes and nothing happened. I'm wondering if it only spray/leak when the thermostat opens the first time.

 

Found the leak. The top of the radiator is leaking. Time to get new radiator and I guess while I'm there new thermostat.

 

I will advise you right now to try to find a koyo aluminum rad. This cooling system is a long annoying process to bleed and these plastic rads are garbage.

 

The Koyo direct replacement? which one should I get? Thanks

 

I have similar problem, leak at the top of the radiator, I replaced my G35 Sedan with Spectra Premium radiator from Rock auto, perfect fit and under $100...

 

I went with the Spectra Premium also, perfect fit. I also change the thermostat. I was surprised how much crap I had between the radiator and condenser.

I have air in the system since the heat don't work. When I fill the coolant nothing came out of the relief valve.

 

I run the engine with radiator cap remove to operating temp , heater on high , when you see coolant drop in the radiator add more coolant as needed then open relief valve, small amount of coolant release, close valve add more coolant as needed, after few min. open relief valve, top off coolant, do this few time, heater should work..

 

I ran the engine with the cap removed but the coolant level didn't drop, Instead the coolant spilled out of the radiator. I ran it like that for several minutes with engine in operating temp.

 

Drive around the block for 5-10 mins let engine cool open radiator cap see if coolant drop, it seem the more I drive the warmer heater get, I think it purr out all the air that trap inside

 

I'll give it a try. Worse case i'll take it to Brakes Plus and do a coolant flush for $55.

 

Did it couple times and the heat is working.

I'm planning on taking the car to a shop to do a complete coolant flush to get all the old coolant and junk out. I do it every 24k miles.