Anti-Freeze smell..Help!!!

After driving for about a half hour I'm noticing a strong Anti-freeze smell coming from the engine compartment. The dash gauge is in the dead center, and doesnt move any hotter than half way. I looked under the truck for any leaks, and didnt see any. I cant really tell if the water pump has any play in it, it doesnt feel like it though. All of the hoses "appear" to be in decent shape, aside from the obvious dusting of dirt and mud.
Anyone have any ideas? Any help woul be greatly appreciated.
Thanx

We have seen a few Xterra's come in with the same problem. There is a water hose running under the air cleaner that may have a loose clamp.

Hope this helps!

Steve

I had a similar problem with my truck, except mine was also getting a little hot on long uphill grades. I tightened down the hose clamps Steve mentioned and cleaned all the dirt out of my radiator with an air gun and that took care of it.

Is your truck running rough? Coolant smell with no visible leaks can sometimes mean a bad head gasket. Also, take a look at your floor boards, if they are damp, it could be a bad heater core.

Good luck, you probably just need to tighten down the hoses.

Dog

Ken
check if ARB VS stump has anything to do with it

is your coolant overflow bottle too full? maybe it is sloshing around a little. after a half hour your thermostat is nice and opened up. it will bleed coolant to the overflow bottle if the radiator is too full and cause the bottle to fill up too much and come near the top. also, check your clamps like DOG and PED were saying. this is common when you start to rack up some miles.

:p

I went to Nissan today (same place that warrantied
my alternator) and they had bad news for me..

My passenger side head gasket is leaking next to the
firewall. Its dripping quite nicely. They have to contact
Nissan and have them "Inspect" the truck, to see if
they will warranty the fix..
My truck has 31,900miles,
and problems with the head gasket already?!
They said that it "should" be covered, provided
I clean the mud and crap off of the engine, and provide
service records, ie. receipts for oil changes, mileage, etc..
mainly anything that has to do with the cooling system,
since the first scheduled coolant change is 60k (as per ESM)
, i think I'm covered. hopefully.

They said not to take the truck offroad, or beat on it until this is fixed,
or a cracked cylinder head might result..
So, I'll see what happens on monday when they contact Nissan
and me, Im driving the truck in the meantime until they schedule
an appointment.

I spoke to my Nissan dealership today and they said that "nissan" approved the head gasket change under warranty. Unfortunately, the service manager made me aware that if ANYTHING else is damaged or broken due to the head gasket they have to call for additional approvals, AND that he can't start on the truck until they get thenew head gasket from Nissan. So, for now. Im driving it around, I cant go wheeling until this is resolved, but its only a small leak and you only notice it by the lovely Burning coolant smel.
And they also informed me that they will NOT be giving me a loaner car for the few days that it will most likely take to repair my X.
I'll keep everyone updated.
On a side note, the engine is spotless (well sort of) a combination of powerwashing and the engine degreaser. Not fun at all...

I got my truck back this afternoon. The replaced the head gasket. The exhaust manifold (which was cracked in serveral places and a bolt sheared off). They spent 7.4 hours on the head gasket change and 2.4 hours on the exhaust manifold. All of it was completely covered under warranty with no deductable.