Coolant smell long after coolant change

[rick3015]

Six weeks ago (1200 miles ago) I changed the coolant in my 2008 GL1800 and since then I can smell coolant when stopped or at low speed. At first I thought it was spillage when refilling the system but, I shouldn't still be smelling it now. I have checked the overflow hose connections, the breather hose, radiator cap and the drain plug and all are tight and I can't see any evidence of leaking. Any ideas?

[Steve F]

Well, it really does take a while for the smell to go away. Even a small bit of the stuff sitting in a small puddle somewhere won't just evaporate, and it just sits there.
I was occasionally getting a slight, really faint wiff of coolant, and it turned out to be loose coolant hose clamps. The only fix was to take the seat off and remove the fuel tank to get at them. They all needed about a quarter-turn on the hose clamp screw and all was good again....but it took a LONG time for the smell to go away.

[Asphaltmaniac]

Is the overflow tank rubber cap on completely?

[WingAdmin]

Is your coolant level decreasing - i.e. do you have a leak? That will give you the best indication if it is residual coolant somewhere, or if you're actively losing it.

[rick3015]

Thanks guys. It doesn't seem like I am loosing coolant, just have the odor when it is running/warmed up. The reservoir cap is snug. I will wait and see if the odor eventually goes away.
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[Red Ron]

Very easy to make it overflow when refilling after a change. Seems like it took a month for the smell to go away last time I changed.

[Wingsconsin]

Maybe use the hose to wash off the area of any possible spill...?
Gently and low pressure...just let it run over and clear the antifreeze...?
Unless there are electronics in there to worry about (disclaimer)