My '02 Rubi gets warm and just reeks of antifreeze, smell seems to be coming from right under the front of the seat. Levels don't appear to be going down, I've crawled through everything on the motor and can't see a leak or obvious sign anywhere. Ugh, anyone ever run into this or have a good tip on tracking down what's going on??

TIA.

 

Isn't there a weep hole on the water pump?

Has the coolant ever been changed?

 

The coolant hasn't been changed, it's due pretty soon tho - was going to do it when the weather warms up a bit.

There's an inspection (weep) hole on the water pump, but I see no signs of leakage there...which is really getting me because that's RIGHT where the smell originates from. You can put your nose down there and it hits you. I might change the o-rings on the water pump just to eliminate the possibility, but it sure doesn't seem to be leaking there.

I know it's a generic problem, but I wondered if there's someone who's found a weird issue on the Rubi's like mine that's common or systemic to the design. Probably not, but it never hurts to ask.

Next step is a dye test, but I need to get a light from the auto parts store to check it.

 

My 2005 Rubi has the exact same issue. It has smelled like this since it was new and continues to this day. Surprisingl, it does not use a drop of antifreeze. I would love to learn what is making it smell like this.

 

I once noticed the same thing. Do you just shut the machine off right after a ride or do you let it idle then shut down? I idle mine for a moment, or at least turn the key back on after shutting down to see if the fan will come on. Then I wait to turn the key off until the fan shuts off. If you are still hot it may be venting through your res. I have not had to add any fluid either.

 

I will idle it for a little bit, to cool down, if I just got done plowing or ridding it hard. Mine seems to stink after I ride it for the first couple of minutes, then the stink goes away when it gets to operating temperature.

 

was there ever any resolve to this issue. mine is doing the exact same thing. Its a 2002.
I even went as far as to tear all plastic off of front of machine to check all hoses and blow out radiator.
But the smell is right under the seat. And I see no leaks and from what I can tell, Im not losing any fluid.

 

Mine is an 07 it has the Coolant smell fromt time to time but no leaks i got 1200 miles on it now i'm not too concerned i don't think you should be either. . .

If your is like mine the over flow or coolant reserve tank is in the rear of the quad and the radiator is in the front.
I'm sure you are just smelling to coolant traveling front to rear and vice versa. .

Mikey

 

For the second time in weeks I went on a plastic removing antifreeze smell hunt!

I was so focused on looking for a leak that I missed something so obvious, I almost laughed.

Sometime ago I had replaced my fluid and I remember reading in my repair book to REPLACE the washer that the drain bolt uses on the water pump.
Well Of course I did not. It was a sunday afternoon and I was 50 miles from my dealer.

What I seen next while on my knees with a flash light was a very light vapor coming from In between that washer and the head of the bolt. Kinda like when its cold out and you can see your breath. I think because it was so cold in my garage last night, was the reason I seen it this time.

The vapor was about like a candle flikering, Nothing huge but yet enough for that smell. Im ordering a new washer today. 2 bucks.

 

you'll have to throw some photos of this thing so i can keep an eye on mine then. . .
Dealer told me the smell was coolant transfer. . .
Never left anything on the ground radiator is always full. . .

Mikey