Small Coolant Leak/Burnt Coolant Smell Through Heater??? Please HELP ASAP!

[NebulaD]

Just a few days ago I had my cousin in my Car. (2002 Mercury Sable GS) When I turned the heat on my cousin commented that it smelt like buring coolant coming through the vents. I started to notice it as well. The car drives fine their is no noticable problems at all. The car is not over heating or anything like that. I did notice a few drops on the ground outside my job but nothing major. Yesterday when I got home from work I popped the hood open to hopefully find out where the leak was coming from. I could not locate it and I could not see any leaking coolant coming out. I did notice a hissing sound coming from the very front passenger side of the car when I was poking around under the hood. I checked the ground this morning before I left for work and their is no coolant on the ground. I do park on an incline in my driveway, so I don't know if that may be why their was no coolant on the ground.

Judging from the information I have provided what is the most likely culprit here? The car is still under warranty but the dealership is some shady mother fuckers and I would like to avoid having to go there unless this is going to cost me an arm and a leg. If its something cheap like just a leaking hose of some sorts then I dont mind paying $50-100 or so.

[NebulaD]

please help....

[NebulaD]

can I get some love here?

[Scrapper]

sunds like water pump...if not that gota be heater core..but my best guess would be water pump....
good luck.....

[RaceOn]

That sounds just like what I went through last fall. It was the radiator expansion tank. The tanks cracks right where it attaches to the vehicle and will leak fluid until the level drops below the crack, then it just hisses. You can get a replacement off e-bay for about $28.00. EZ fix.

[shakewell]

Originally Posted by RaceOn

the radiator expansion tank. The tanks cracks right where it attaches to the vehicle and will leak fluid until the level drops below the crack

I had the same prob on my '01.

[diofan]

May also want to check the thermostat if it's getting any kind of Back pressure in the Reservoir tank. I had this problem in my 96 Sable, replaced the thermostat, problem fixed!