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I have a problem with a mystery coolant loss in the 5.

Can't see any leaks, the drop in level appears to be sporatic but if its a hot day and the car is stuck in traffic 2 times out of 3 the coolant is low when I get home.

All hoses in the engine bay are new, so I'm presuming its radiator or heater related.

I've also noticed a coolant smell when you park the car after driving it, although can't smell it in the cabin so maybe that rules out the heater core.

Any thoughts? (I've thought a match might be good, last few months have been a bit of a pain with it).

on a previous car i had(92 Tx5) the plastic end tanks on the radiator cracked and did not always leak nor visibly look cracked, but would drible a few drops when i moved it around.
maybe a similar issue that leaks when pressure builds up, just check everywhere possible for a leak to rule out an engine related matter.
Matt.

might be a pipe securing clip - had the same thing in terms of smell of coolant & slight drop in expansion tank coolant level - pipes were ok, rad was ok, & likewise exp tank - then I noticed there was a slight seepage from where the top rad pipe connects to the thermostat housing - tighten or replaced the clip & no more coolant loss or smell.

You need to get a pressure test.

Radiator cap loose / crap??

thanks, I'll have a look see over the weekend.

Parked it two weeks ago in disgust (aren't relationships with your car a love/hate affair )

I would get the car warm, park it with the bonnet up and sit there and watch it. I reckon you would see or smell the leaks.

My water pump sporadically leaked before I replace it. It would go for weeks without anything then one day I noticed a small puddle of coolant on the ground. Then nothing for a few more weeks.

Andrew.

my car had the same symptoms over the past couple of months.

a few weeks ago i finally had it checked out - turned out that the thermostat housing gasket/seal was leaking. problem with a coolant leak is that there are so many possible places it could be, it's hard to track down unless you sit there and watch it or get it pressure tested.

Any coffee like goo in the oil = head gasket?