Smell of Antifreeze

liberty2701 · Mar 11, 2015

I have a thread over in Parts/repairs about an antifreeze smell on my DK50 titled pressure testing radiator.. Just wondering if anyone else has a similar smell with no detectable leak?

Looking4new · Mar 11, 2015

If you have a cab, take a good hard look at the blend valve for your heater, take the roof off if you have to.

liberty2701 · Mar 12, 2015

I have no cab. Murph in my other post noted Eric the Oracle had a problem with a hose leaking between the plies. I cannot find that post.

CJONE · Mar 12, 2015

Yep, mine has done it since new and it is for sure coming from the engine compartment. I have maybe lost a quarter of a cup in 500hours [just added for the first time]. All clamps are tight and no visible signs of a leak. CJ

murphy1244 · Mar 12, 2015

liberty2701 said:
I have no cab. Murph in my other post noted Eric the Oracle had a problem with a hose leaking between the plies. I cannot find that post.

Send Eric a PM I'm sure he will help you. Os Kioti guys stick together.

liberty2701 · Mar 13, 2015

CJONE said:
Yep, mine has done it since new and it is for sure coming from the engine compartment. I have maybe lost a quarter of a cup in 500hours [just added for the first time]. All clamps are tight and no visible signs of a leak. CJ

Glad I am not the only one. I am surprised more do not chime in especially since the service manager said that he hears this a lot. Then again, I am sure there are owners who do not know what the smell is . I only noticed mine at the 100 hr mark.

CJONE · Mar 13, 2015

Whatever it is, it only does it when it is hot. No smell when cold or warming up but after working the tractor hard in the winter or basically anytime in the summer you can smell it. Pressure test does no good, does not leak enough to see. The next step for me is a dye test but to be honest it is not worth my time, yet. CJ

Amvcane · Mar 13, 2015

I don't have a DK50, but my CK35 leaks antifreeze from the overflow tank threads only when the engine is hot and the fluid inside is sloshing around. There is no overflow tube running to below the frame to relieve pressure. Pressure is relieved through the cap. Hole in rubber cap gasket,hole in metal cap washer, sponge, two perpendicular slots in tank threads. Fluid drips onto the injector pump. Smells and stains engine. Rarely happens when the overflow fluid level is near the low mark. Talked to dealer about this and he showed me 3 different Kioti models all with different setups to relieve the overflow tank pressure. Not sure if this will help.

liberty2701 · Mar 13, 2015

I wonder if it may be coming from where the aluminum meets the plastic tank on the radiator. I am surprised from the service managers response that they hear it a lot and they are not looking into the cause. A smell is not normal under any conditions. Not from a car,tractor atv nothing unless there is a leak somewhere. I was a little disappointed with the service managers response that I would receive a bill because they will not find a leak for warranty purposes. I hope this is not an underlying problem that will show itself when my warranty goes out.

Apsterbobed · Mar 14, 2015

I don't smell antifreeze but I have noticed that occasionally there will be a quarter to silver dollar sized antifreeze drip on the concrete under the front axle. A couple of time I found a droplet or 2 hanging from the axle but the tank is still plenty full. I asked my dealer and was told the lower radiator clamp has a tendency to loosen on new tractors. I noticed it with just over 100 hours but I have not had the time to try and tighten it. I haven't smelled antifreeze but I thought I was smelling hydraulic fluid after the tractor was warm and I had been using the loader. Now I'm wondering if it is actually the antifreeze that I'm smelling?