Antifreeze smell and steam!!!
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'12 CLS 550 4matic
![Exclamation](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/icons/icon4.gif)
I noticed a couple times the smell of antifreeze, when I pop the hood or sometimes after pulling in the garage. I have never seen anything on the floor, or engine, etc. Also the temp guage is always normal, just above 80. Yesterday in traffic, I noticed steam coming out of the grill / hood region a few times. It was raining, but I couldn't figure how the rain was hitting something hot like that to cause steam. This morning, I did another inspection and found what appears to be dried antifreeze on the resevoir. Once it cools down, I am going to check on the cap once it cools, maybe its loose and allowing the fluid to bubble over or the rubber seal maybe failed in it. Here is the pic, what are your thoughts. I am taking it in, regardless.
Last edited by FEGELEIN; 05-19-2010 at 09:57 AM.
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Essex County, NJ
Posts: 978
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
2011 E350 Sport 4Matic - P2 & Drivers Assist / 2010 C300 Sport 4Matic - P2 / 2013 Porsche Cayenne S
I had something similar once on a C Class. At times the fans would blow in some strong burning smell usually after starting the car up in the morning. Once I even saw some blue smoke rise from under the hood while stopped at a red light. I freaked out and thought the car is going to burst into flames. I took it to MB of Manhattan three times with the same issue until they finally confirmed the smell and figured out where the smoke was coming from. Turns out a rubber seal was not sealing correctly and a drop of oil would drop onto the hot engine and burn up; hence the smell and the smoke. Once the faulty seal was replaced the problem went away. I bet you have something similar going on.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'12 CLS 550 4matic
I had something similar once on a C Class. At times the fans would blow in some strong burning smell usually after starting the car up in the morning. Once I even saw some blue smoke rise from under the hood while stopped at a red light. I freaked out and thought the car is going to burst into flames. I took it to MB of Manhattan three times with the same issue until they finally confirmed the smell and figured out where the smoke was coming from. Turns out a rubber seal was not sealing correctly and a drop of oil would drop onto the hot engine and burn up; hence the smell and the smoke. Once the faulty seal was replaced the problem went away. I bet you have something similar going on.
#6
I have the same issue with the coolant/ antifreeze smell. Everytime I get out of the car after a long drive, I can smell a distinctive coolant/antifreeze scent.
I have yet to investigate and I am curious to see what MB has to say about it.
Please keep me update.
-M
I have yet to investigate and I am curious to see what MB has to say about it.
Please keep me update.
-M
#7
Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Seattle
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2010 E350 1999 Ninja ZX7R 2006 Ninja ZX10R
Antifreeze/coolant is actually odorless. What your probably smelling is comon when engines are new. It took a couple of thousand miles before my Porsche Cayman stopped giving off what seemed like a burnt chemical smell similar to the one from my new E350.
Trending Topics
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'12 CLS 550 4matic
I have always been able to smell antifreeze, it's a very distinctive smell.
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: NYC
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'12 CLS 550 4matic
Does your resevior cap / top look like the pic I posted?
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Europe
Posts: 6,384
Received 297 Likes
on
249 Posts
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
I had something similar once on a C Class. At times the fans would blow in some strong burning smell usually after starting the car up in the morning. Once I even saw some blue smoke rise from under the hood while stopped at a red light. I freaked out and thought the car is going to burst into flames. I took it to MB of Manhattan three times with the same issue until they finally confirmed the smell and figured out where the smoke was coming from. Turns out a rubber seal was not sealing correctly and a drop of oil would drop onto the hot engine and burn up; hence the smell and the smoke. Once the faulty seal was replaced the problem went away. I bet you have something similar going on.
#16
MBWorld Fanatic!