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Weird Sweet smell coming out from the AC on my brand new Tacoma

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Socialrafa, Jan 8, 2020.

  1. Jan 8, 2020 at 7:43 PM
    #1
    Socialrafa

    Socialrafa [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So I just bought a brand new 2020 Tacoma but in the past couple of days I have been noticing a weird chemical sweet smell coming from the AC.

    its sort of difficult to describe the smell, it smells like some sort of sweet chemical. Its not disgusting but it’s also not nice. It kind of resembles rubbing alcohol smell. My friend says it smells like radiator fluid/coolant.

    I have been trying to narrow down when the smell comes though and I believe the whiffs get stronger when I rev up the engine a bit when I’m driving.

    has anyone experience this on a brand new car? What can possibly be?

    is it because it’s new and some plastic parts in the engine need to be burn off?

    please help. It kind of puts a damn on the whole new truck enjoyment part when I smell this stuff.

    thanks y’all!
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2020
  2. Jan 8, 2020 at 7:44 PM
    #2
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    Warranty. Its what you got it for.
     
  3. Jan 8, 2020 at 8:00 PM
    #3
    Socialrafa

    Socialrafa [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Absolutely, I will be visiting the dealer very soon. I was just wondering if you any member has ever encountered this situation before.
     
    Superdave1.0 likes this.
  4. Jan 8, 2020 at 8:33 PM
    #4
    MaHoTex

    MaHoTex Well-Known Member

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    Yup. Same after less than 1k miles.
     
  5. Jan 8, 2020 at 8:41 PM
    #5
    BlackGT99

    BlackGT99 Well-Known Member

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    Coolant smells sweet (almost). Sounds like it’s time to visit the dealer.
     
    CaptainBart45 and Socialrafa[OP] like this.
  6. Jan 8, 2020 at 8:45 PM
    #6
    Amanelot

    Amanelot Member

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    Keep an eye on your coolant level...

    It could be something as simple as a tech spilled some when topping off fluids during the final check over before you drove it home, or could be something worse
     
  7. Jan 8, 2020 at 9:02 PM
    #7
    Socialrafa

    Socialrafa [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Did you have it checked, was it solved? Why was it?
     
    Superdave1.0 likes this.
  8. Jan 12, 2020 at 10:17 PM
    #8
    FormerEvoOwner

    FormerEvoOwner Member

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    Did you figure this out, was it resolved? I just bought a 2020 4Runner and am having the identical issue
     
  9. Jan 12, 2020 at 11:29 PM
    #9
    Socialrafa

    Socialrafa [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey there, so the smell felt super strong for about 2 or 3 days.

    After that it stopped and I haven’t smelt it again for the last 6 days.

    I think there may have been some remnants of coolant on the heater core and it smelled while it was getting burned off.

    I would say give it about a week and see if it passes.

    try running the heater too.
     
    Taco_Craig and over60 like this.
  10. Jan 17, 2020 at 12:11 PM
    #10
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    The heater core should never have coolant on the outside of it.

    The smell could have easily been coming in via the fresh air intake though, meaning something from underhood. Especially since the cowl to hood gasket isn't always a great seal.
     
  11. Jan 17, 2020 at 1:00 PM
    #11
    Socialrafa

    Socialrafa [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Sure. I really don’t know much about mechanics. All I know is that the smell is gone. Thank god
     
  12. Jan 17, 2020 at 1:26 PM
    #12
    ICU1

    ICU1 Well-Known Member

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    Is the smell possibly from a Taco Bell run...?
     
    MannyS likes this.
  13. Jan 17, 2020 at 1:27 PM
    #13
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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  14. Jan 17, 2020 at 1:31 PM
    #14
    Toy4me

    Toy4me Well-Known Member

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    Generally not a sweet smell. At least not to others :anonymous:.
     
  15. Jan 17, 2020 at 2:05 PM
    #15
    slvrtaco11

    slvrtaco11 Well-Known Member

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    I can smell coolant every once in a while and that's with the AC off.
    I can park my truck for hours and walk up to it and smell a light faint scent of coolant.
    I have about 14,000 miles.
    Coolant level has never changed so I'm not to worried about it.
    Like I said this is every once in a while with the smell.
     
  16. Jan 17, 2020 at 2:07 PM
    #16
    facefirst

    facefirst Well-Known Member

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  17. Jan 17, 2020 at 4:48 PM
    #17
    Socialrafa

    Socialrafa [OP] Well-Known Member

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    More like a run to Dairy Queen.lol.
     
    ICU1[QUOTED] likes this.
  18. Jan 17, 2020 at 6:27 PM
    #18
    TacoManOne

    TacoManOne YotaWerx Authorized Tuner

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  19. Jan 17, 2020 at 7:08 PM
    #19
    CaptainBart45

    CaptainBart45 Well-Known Member

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    Work in progress...
    Yep coolant, might want to take it in. Hopefully they will pressure test it. Don't want a hose connection etc going out at a bad time.
     
  20. Jan 20, 2020 at 10:54 PM
    #20
    Socialrafa

    Socialrafa [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The sweet chemical smell is back. I think I narrowed it down to when I turn on the heat and also reving up the engine a bit.

    I will need to take it back to the dealer so the can fix this situation.
     

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