Last few times I've drove my '01, it's smelled hot. Driving fine, all gauges within norms (150,000 miles, 125,000 mine-I know the vehicle), new radiator/hoses, new t-stat, no leak I can see (oil, transmission, radiator) But it smells hot, almost like a coolant leak, but not quite. Sound familiar to anyone? Random question, I know. Just fishing for a place to start.

 

Sounds perfectly normal for an XJ

 

my 99 does every once and awhile. i've checked everything over to, and found nothing. so hopefully it is normal.

 

Well, I can live with that if it's normal with age. Just a new quirk. I just don't want to be backwoods, on the second day of a two day supply, and a pump goes out.

 

Since u know the vehicle then u know the last few times u drove it something was out of the ordinary. I'd be poppin' the hood everyday just to be on the safe side. Got access to one of those point-n-shoot infrared temp guns.....point it at the t-stat cover? When the motor is COLD, remove the rad cap and look at the overflow bottle to check coolant levels. Even a slow undetected leak somewhere will eventually lower the coolant level......but u gotta check everyday.