Coolant Leak

[dani951]

Hi Guys was hoping for some advice. I have a coolant leak in my car I’ve noticed that it has been slowly decreasing when the car is warmed up and I have my window down I get whiffs of coolant occasionally but my main concern is to know whether it’s something serious such as a head gasket or not I checked the dipped stick but just wanted a second opinion to see if it looks alright ? Also idk if it’s me but I feel like it’s running a bit rough too small jitters here and there

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[ORRadtech]

Dipstick looks fine. Believe me, the milkshake is unmistakable.
Smell your exhaust on a cold start to see if it smells sweet. That would indicate a headgasket problem.
If the smell is inside the car, that would be a heater core and, besides a headgasket, your worst case.
Otherwise, get under the hood and start following all the coolant lines looking for wet or crusties. Check the radiator sides as well.

 

[dani951]

Thanks man appreciate your reply I’ll have a check in the morning also the smell seems to come from the front of the engine but I’ll do as you say and have a long look at it tomorrow

 

[ice445]

If you can smell it that's a good sign that it's something simple. My first things to check would be the water pump and the thermostat outlet/t hose right above it.

 

[Cobra Jet]

You have a 2016, most likely it’s the water pump…. Plastic impeller is known to deteriorate on those pumps… some make it to higher miles than others before failing, but it’s a common S550 issue on the early 2015-2017’s.

IIRC, I think there were threads in here where users were saying the new pump replacements have a metal impeller.

 

[Weyland-Yutani]

Probably water pump. I get a faint whiff of coolant from mine every now and then, but I'm not panicked about replacing it yet.

 

[ScottsGT]

I ignored the smell and two days later I was waiting on the side of the road for a tow truck. Water pump bearings went out and was dumping coolant. I had to replace it at 57,000 miles.
Going to swap it again with a new serpentine belt at 100,000 miles as a PM.
Carry a gallon or two of water with you until you figure it out. Might save you a tow.

 

[dani951]

Should I expect to see any leaks under the water pump ? I can’t see anything which stands out to me there

 

[ice445]

Should I expect to see any leaks under the water pump ? I can’t see anything which stands out to me there

See all that orange residue? Its from a leak. It must just only do it hot and then evaporate. To be safe check above the water pump as well, that plastic t junction is also notorious for leaking.

 

[ScottsGT]

Pull serpentine belt off and feel for play in the pump shaft.

 

[wingnutt]

Water pump…I got mine swapped (2016) just before warranty ran out

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