Film on windshield/coolant smell

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Couple months ago I bought my son a ‘10 Crown Vic Police Interceptor. Over Thanksgiving I replaced the heater core cause there was a constant film on the windshield and a coolant smell in the car. About a week later the film reappeared and smell came back. Before I tear the dash apart again, is there anything else it could be other than a faulty heater core? I’m guessing not, but hopeful.

 

[fest3er]

Bad hose that allows coolant to 'spray' into the heater core housing?

 

[TFucili]

Bad hose that allows coolant to 'spray' into the heater core housing?

I have had this happen on a couple vehicles.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Bad hose that allows coolant to 'spray' into the heater core housing?

Do you mean like a kinked/collapsed hose that would cause a spraying condition? If so, no, the hoses going in and out are good.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I have had this happen on a couple vehicles.

How were your hoses bad? In what way?

 

[TFucili]

The hose had failed internally, and the coolant followed the braid and was spraying into the plenum. The actual failure was some distance from the connection, but in due time worked its way to the end of the hose.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

The hose had failed internally, and the coolant followed the braid and was spraying into the plenum. The actual failure was some distance from the connection, but in due time worked its way to the end of the hose.

Ok, I understand. On this car, the two aluminum in/outlets stick a couple inches thru the firewall into the engine compartment. When the hoses are slid onto the tubes, you can see the hose ends. Nothing is leaking out of or from the hoses. I actually tore the dash apart again today and replaced the heater core again. Nothing was wet in the plenum, but the smell of coolant was so strong I had to do something. After a couple minutes of riding in the car, it would start to burn your eyes and give you a dull headache.

 

[TFucili]

Did the original core actually leak? Is it possible coolant got trapped somewhere, or some insulation got saturated and it shows up as the core heats up? That's a weird one you've got there.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Well, I changed the original cause the windows started filming over and it stunk of coolant in the car. But, when I opened the plenum there was no sign of a coolant leak. I was a little confused, but I hoped maybe it had a pin hole and just leaked enough to make it film over and smell. After I changed it the first time the film and smell went away for about two weeks. When it came back it was a lot worse than the first time. I hope the third core is the charm.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Well, I changed the original cause the windows started filming over and it stunk of coolant in the car. But, when I opened the plenum there was no sign of a coolant leak. I was a little confused, but I hoped maybe it had a pin hole and just leaked enough to make it film over and smell. After I changed it the first time the film and smell went away for about two weeks. When it came back it was a lot worse than the first time. I hope the third core is the charm.

I hope it’s fixed too! Three timer heater core jobs suck.

 

[mwilson]

I hope it’s fixed too! Three timer heater core jobs suck.

One time heater core jobs suck.........can't imagine frigin' three of them.....other than one would get better at it.....

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

One time heater core jobs suck.........can't imagine frigin' three of them.....other than one would get better at it.....

First one took about 6 hours. I took my time looking for every nut, bolt, screw and clip to pull the dash in one piece without breaking anything. Well, I broke a plastic 90* slack adjusting elbow for the shift indicator while dropping the steering column. I’m now down to two hours start to finish with no left over parts or squeaks or rattles.