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2019 Q50 3.0t Pure - Losing Coolant, Sweet Smell, No Visible Leak

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Mike T. · rep 0 · May 25, 3:46 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2019 Infiniti Q50 3.0t Pure

Hi all,

I'm reaching out about my 2019 Infiniti Q50 3.0t Pure, which has about 60,000 miles. For the past few weeks, I've noticed that my coolant reservoir level keeps dropping, and I have to top it off every few days. I also occasionally smell a sweet, syrupy odor, especially after driving, but I can't see any obvious puddles or drips under the car.

I'm worried about an internal leak or something more serious. There's no smoke from the exhaust, and the engine temperature gauge seems normal, but the constant topping off is concerning. Has anyone experienced a 'hidden' coolant leak on their VR30DDTT engine? What should I be looking for, and what are the common failure points?

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 25, 3:46 AM

0

ClearTheCode admin answer:

Losing coolant without visible external leaks, accompanied by a sweet smell, is a serious concern and requires immediate attention. The VR30DDTT engine in your 2019 Infiniti Q50 has a few known areas where coolant can escape, sometimes in hard-to-spot locations.

Common 'Hidden' Coolant Leak Points on VR30DDTT:

  1. Turbo Coolant Lines/Seals: The twin turbos on the VR30DDTT are water-cooled. The coolant lines running to and from the turbos, as well as their seals and O-rings, are common failure points. Leaks here can evaporate quickly on the hot turbos, leaving no visible puddles but a distinct sweet smell.
  2. Water Pump: While not always 'hidden,' a slow leak from the water pump's weep hole might not immediately create a puddle but will cause a gradual loss of coolant. Check for residue around the pump housing.
  3. Thermostat Housing/Gasket: The plastic thermostat housing or its gasket can crack or degrade over time, leading to slow leaks that might only be apparent when the engine is hot and under pressure.
  4. Front Timing Cover Gasket: Less common but possible, a leak from the front timing cover gasket can allow coolant to escape. This can be challenging to diagnose without specialized tools.
  5. Heater Core: An internal leak in the heater core would typically manifest as a sweet smell inside the cabin, and possibly a foggy windshield or damp passenger footwell. This is less likely if the smell is primarily outside the car.
  6. Head Gasket (Less Common): While rare on a relatively new engine, a failing head gasket could allow coolant to burn in the combustion chamber (white smoke from exhaust) or mix with oil (milky oil). Since you don't have smoke, this is less probable.

When to See a Shop:

  1. Immediate Action: Do not ignore a persistent coolant loss. Driving with low coolant can lead to engine overheating, which can cause catastrophic and extremely expensive engine damage.
  2. Pressure Test: A professional shop will perform a cooling system pressure test. This involves pressurizing the cooling system while the engine is cold, making it easier to spot small leaks that might otherwise evaporate on a hot engine.
  3. UV Dye Test: If a leak is still elusive, a UV dye can be added to the coolant. After driving, a technician can use a UV light to find glowing traces of the dye, pinpointing the leak's origin.
  4. Professional Diagnosis: Due to the complexity of the VR30DDTT's cooling system and the potential for hidden leaks, it's highly recommended to have a qualified Infiniti technician diagnose and repair the issue. They have the experience to identify these specific failure points.
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