i am wondering if anyone has noticed this on their car.
or maybe it is caused by something else.

i drive the sr; only change is the sri.

when i pass some vehicles, revs up to 4k to 5k for a few seconds,
the smell of burnt coolant goes inside, even with “circulation” on.
also, i keep seeing dried coolant around the area of the reservoir tank,
and down the paths to the bottom, where the engine oil plastic cover is attached below the filter.

when i checked the cap of the reservoir, there is no gasket on it.
i have not added fluid personally, but i guess the dealer adds some when i bring it.
am i missing something here??

fyi, i saw that dried coolant when i got the car two years ago.
(time to visit the dealer..?)

Sounds like your reservoir is being overfilled. What is the reading on the reservoir when the engine is cold?

it reads right above the minimum.
same for 90 deg or 60 deg F ambient.

I might try one more thing before getting the dealer to check this out. Next time you pick your car up from the dealer (or wherever you get regular service), check the coolant reservoir fluid level before driving off and getting the car up to operating temperature. Any fluid above the 'minimum' line will be gradually forced out as the car warms up. I have found that the service person in many dealerships tends to be very 'generous' with fluids. This does not bother me with some fluids, but can be annoying when, for instance, the oil level is well above the 'full' mark. In that instance, I return to the dealer and request that the oil level be brought back down to 'full'. I don't need the engine parts churning the excess oil, which causes aerated oil, which cannot be properly handled by the engine lubrication jets.

I don't recall whether the reservoir cap has a gasket. Some plastic caps are designed in a way that does not require a gasket. I would check my Maxima, but it is temporarily in a body shop many miles away.

thanks for the suggestions.
it will be awhile until i bring it back for service...
will also (try to remember to) monitor level before and after a drive..