Possible coolant leak?

[SKroads]

During this winter, I noticed steam occasionally coming out of the front grill after running the van up for at least five minutes on the road to get the coolant up to regular running temperature. I pinpointed the area that it's emanating from from a spot in/around the radiator on the right side, a little towards to the center away from the rad cap. Could an O-ring started wearing out?

A coolant pressure test reveals a very minor leak is present, about a tenth to a quarter of a psi. The system seems to eat some coolant over time and no obvious leak is visible underneath the van.

Another thing is occasionally, I can smell a slight sweet smell coming from the air intake coming into the van.

Any ideas of how bad the issue could be?

 

[Steelcity]

As long as its not going into the oil or tranny fluid ,then i would wait till it gets worse. I guess you could fix it now. My mother has a chevy Malibu(3,1) and I a regal(3800) and both have a very small leak also . I may have to add a cup or so every 6 months and like you can smell it at times. What year is the van , miles ? I think you can get a rad for ~$100 .

 

[SKroads]

It's a 2001 Montana with over 268,000km. This started up earlier in the month. Preferably do not want to see milky motor oil since it's a head gasket meaning about 2K in repairs.

 

[Steelcity]

It's a 2001 Montana with over 268,000km. This started up earlier in the month. Preferably do not want to see milky motor oil since it's a head gasket meaning about 2K in repairs.

Right if you find antifreeze in the oil(milky oil) stop driving and fix before more damage is done . good luck keep us posted . (rockauto price for a rad is $103) I guess junk yd cheaper or even find a rad shop they can fix for even cheaper.

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[SKroads]

The original coolant pressure test was done in early January.

Took my van into a repair shop and it held no pressure. It was discovered that parts of the radiator were worn and rotted, making non-salvageable. The rad was taken to a rad shop for examination. Ended getting a new rad since they are a pain to remove. The part was $291 + 3hrs labour total (one hour each way to remove + install it, and testing).