Smelling antifreeze

I have a 2001 and I started smelling antifreeze today. If I'm driving I don't smell it unless I am stopped at a stop light or stop sign. It seems to be stronger when I am outside the van. I know when you smell it inside it is usually the heater core.

Such a pleasant smell isn't it.....


If you can smell it, then it's escaping from some where.

Can you get under the van with a torch and see where it's coming from?

Torch = flashlight in the USA.
Moppie is not advising that you go under your vehicle with an open flame.

Have you needed to add any coolant?
As advised, look around under the hood for any signs of coolant leakage.....it should leave light colored deposits when it dries.
Likely locations for leaks would be a split in the seam on the radiator overflow bottle, loose hose clamp......so leakage at the end of a hose, That crossover pipe that goes through the lower intake manifold, the water pump....near where the pulley shaft goes into the pump.....ususally a small hole there, Front cover.....aka timing cover...which is the cover that the water pump and oil pump mount on, lower intake manifold gaskets......or around the radiator.

You can still smell coolant from a leak under the hood.
Let's hope that it is a easy and cheap solution....heater core is a pain to change as is the timing cover.

Well I found where the leak is. There is a hose under that runs under the intake and it is leaking. Anyone know what it may be called?

Well I found where the leak is. There is a hose under that runs under the intake and it is leaking. Anyone know what it may be called?

8548
(KM-4386)
http://www.fordparts.com/Images/Logos/FordMotorcraft.gif
Engine Coolant By-Pass Hose
3.8L; Mounts to rear of intake manifold with bolt. includes rubber hose to 18663 waterpump tube; Includes o-ring 391356-S100
$62.
Engine by pass hose

Video on the fix

part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWomi-tfjoc (http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&key=915a3ef3a2c7fbe5ff056fd8727a518b&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.automotiveforums.com%2Fvbulle tin%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D1061148&v=1&libid=1323224764688&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DAWo mi-tfjoc&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.automotiveforums.com%2Fvbulle tin%2Fforumdisplay.php%3Ff%3D170&title=windstar%2FDIY%20videos%20-%20Automotive%20Forums%20.com%20Car%20Chat&txt=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DAWo mi-tfjoc&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13232248054254)
part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46T9DTYeppM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46T9DTYeppM)

FYI, the fitting at the end that hose on my '96 is a quick-connect plastic type. Over time the plastic becomes brittle, cracks, and a "slow leak" emerges. Eventually it fails catestrophically (mine did), so if your leak is coming from that it's best to attend to it NOW. The fitting can be replaced without replacing the entire hose assembly. Alternatively, I've been told that the hose can be clamped to the nipple on the manifold with a normal hose clamp.

Mine is rubber and metal no plastic. I am wondering if I could have it soldered instead of replacing it.

Replace is better than solder.
You have to take that part off anyhow and it could have other rusted spots ready to fail.
A replacement pipe should last at least another 5 years (worse case), so you will not have to worry about it again.