I smell it just done see any leaks anywhere. So I guess I'm burning it but no white smoke. Is this normal. I've noticed every now and then I need to add water and coolant maybe every 600 miles or so. BTW the smell is apparent when I shut engine off and the smell coincides with the heat coming off the engine.

 

Ususally that sweet coolant smell is a faulty headgasket.

 

Have someone follow you while you are accelerating and stopping...etc to verify if there is white smoke or not. Also check your dipstick to see if any oil and coolant has mixed,

You know what sucks, being stuck in stop and go traffic on a hot day with no airconditioning behind a minivan with a blown headgasket. Every single time traffic moved, i was blinded by a cloud of white smoke coming from the exhaust. Now burnt coolant isnt that bad of a smell, but being exposed to it for 30+ minutes just sucks. This went on for a good 4 miles...im surpised the minivan made it that far!

 

Well apparently I do have a leak. Its very minimal. Even after driving for hours my net result is a leak thats the size of a quarter. I gotta get under to see where its comin from but it leaks just pat the firewall like under the shifter somewhere.

 

Check your heater valve, if its leaking it will cause corrosion on the engine ground points.