Vehicle carfax shows that at 92K, the previous owner took the car to the dealership back in 2021 to do the heater hose connector. Currently at 121,000 miles and it looks like the passenger side connector needs to be replaced again.

I've also noticed a burnt coolant smell from time to time for the past 2 weeks. Dipstick looked fine. No milkshake color. Didn't see any oil residue on the radiator and coolant reservoir.

Any thoughts?

 

First, I am biased. I have long advised that the plastic heater hose connector be replaced with a metal unit. Dorman p/n 56430 comes to mind though any ¾" straight connector will suffice. Irregardless of when the plastic crap was replaced, if it were me I would replace it at the next coolant service interval.

That said, about your "coolant smell." While checking the dipstick is fine, how is the level in the radiator/ overflow tank? Keep in mind that at that mileage and age many of those hoses are likely worn and need to be replaced regardless. The throttle body hoses are known to develop the smallest of leaks and the coolant evaporates leaving little trace (puddling).

Best advice, unless you have other symptoms not mentioned, at your next service interval, replace the connector and check all of the hoses and clamps. Replace accordingly.

 

Coolant is between min and max in the overflow tank and up to the brim in the radiator. I will give a little backstory, though:

Car overheated at 120K (bought the car at 119K). Photos show aftermath of event. Dealership performed a coolant flush and added OEM blue coolant. They also changed the coolant overflow reservoir hose to another ****ty rubber hose. I decided to buy a bottle of the blue OEM coolant just to be safe. 1K miles later, I noticed no coolant inside the overflow tank. Radiator was still fine. Added coolant to the overflow tank and it's still there (for now). Haven't noticed any leaks under the hood or underneath the car.

 

Don't see it in your pics, but there's supposed to be a clamp on there that holds the hose to the tube next to the radiator cap.

 

Yeah I noticed that. Took it to the dealership and they added the clamp.