I did a search and found two posts on this board but both involved actual leaks. I had Dealer check for a coolant issue on my 11 S last week when she was in for 60k service. When I get out of the car there is a strong coolant smell right by the driver side front wheel. No leaks, no warnings just the smell....any others had a similar issue?
Thanks.

 

I have a similar smell and have asked a few times on my 2011. Never have seen a leak personally - just a smell when hot.

 

I had this issue after I had done some work on the coolant pipe - had to drain some of the coolant for which you would need to open the drain valve. Once coolant heated up it would start to drain thru the drain tube which is where you are getting the smell from. It drained so much that the coolant level dropped and had to refill 1/4 gallon. Once I opened and closed the drain valve a few times it has gone away and no more draining. Make sure your coolant cap is tight, check coolant level and refill if needed, open and close the drain valve ring a couple times and see it that stops it. Make sure the coolant is not hot while doing this.

 

Thanks Yankee.....where would one find the drain valve?

 

Its the one with the rectangular metal clip and 2 hoses that have the blue tabs. The clip in the picture is in closed position. You lift it up to 90 degrees to open. To reach it you will have to remove the triangular cover over it. Ignore the rest of the picture as I have more than the cover removed.

 

Great many thanks for the useful response, i'll go and check that out. I had a similar issue on my 997 and ended up replacing the cap as the dealer never could find a leak...but they pressure the system to check with the cap off therefore never testing the cap!!!