Quote Originally Posted by cmm47172 View Post
I just ran the car for 1 hour thru heavy stop and go traffic. The temp outside today is 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The fan never came on during or after the drive. The temp gauge reached the half way mark and went no further.
When I stopped the car I noticed two things that concern me.
First, as soon as I got out of the car, I could smell the sweet smell of DEX-COOL coolant. Looking under the hood, I could see no coolant leakage.
Second, I noticed that the level of coolant in the surge tank never moved. It’s was the same level as when the car was cold.
It makes me wonder if the thermostat is operating properly. I did notice that both the upper and lower radiator hose were hot to the touch and so was the surge tank so I would think that the thermostat did have to open even if ever so slightly. I checked all hose clamps and all are tight.
I have yet to test the relays. If they are not extremely expensive, I think I will by some to test with and just to have some on hand if ever needed.
At this point, my main concern is that I can smell coolant.
Any thoughts anyone?
If you can smell coolant, then you do have a leak. However, it may be a very minor leak, one that is not worth worrying about at this time.

I had a similar situation with my old '89 Celica. When I had a timing belt changed at 120K the mechanic told me my head gasket was leaking a bit at the very edge of it. I never did find the leak (and eventually sold the car many years later), but I could smell coolant when the car was hot, from under the hood. I lost about a pint of coolant every few months. I never had any drips or puddles - just the slow drop in the reservoir and the occasional smell of coolant. When coolant hits the hot engine block it will evaporate but leave an odor. A bad thermostat gasket might also cause it. A slow leak in a heater core could also, but then you'd smell it inside the car, coming from the vents, when cold.

As long as you don't run low on coolant, it's no big deal. Just check on it monthly to make sure it doesn't get any worse. Watchful waiting and adding coolant is much cheaper than than a motor tear down - as long as it's only a very slow leak.