2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Antifreeze Smell - Heater Core??????

[hammersley]

I don't seem to have a leak BUT at times I can swear I smell that antifreeze sweet smell - it's not permanent and I don't see any leaks - any idea where it could be???????? I was wondering about the heater core and a shop told me that it was a frigging nightmare to change - like many many hours - any experience on this?????

 

[WDimig]

i know for sure mine is leaking, hoping to be a spring project, there is a write up on the procedue in issue 50 or 51? i cant remember which one it is, but joe donnelly does a good job on showing you how to do it without taking your entire dash out, sure it would be easier that way, but significantly more time involved in the project. while your in ther i would also do the evap core, its just cheap insurance. good luck.



wes

 

[hammersley]

Joe did one -

I'll have to go back and look - thsnks

 

[JMLambert]

I had the same problem last year but it turned out to be the 53 block was cracked, to check look at the rear r/h side of the block down by the freeze plugs. I hope this is wrong.

 

[OL RATLR]

I don't seem to have a leak BUT at times I can swear I smell that antifreeze sweet smell - it's not permanent and I don't see any leaks - any idea where it could be???????? I was wondering about the heater core and a shop told me that it was a frigging nightmare to change - like many many hours - any experience on this?????

it was a frigging nightmare to change - like many many hours - any experience on this?????[/QUOTE]



You said it all. :{

 

[mediccummin]

I have had the same smell and problem last couple weeks, I just started using the block heater for the first time, finally been cold enough here in socal. Not sure if that had anything to do with it, Turns out I now have the dreaded CRACK in my 53 BLOCK. Probabley just a coincidence it happened after I started using the block heater. Noticed some coolant running down the block in the area of the heat exchanger, right were the problems happen, sure enough watched the coolant seep out the crack, cant see the crack unless the engine is running and coolant is seeping. Now I have to figure out what to do.

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

If you notice the coolant smell when you first turn on the heat, but it goes away in a minute or two, then your heater core is just beginning to sweat. They can last a long time like that. Change it when you've got the time. The entire dash is supposed to come out of the truck to do it, but after you've done a few of them, you can sneak them out of there witout completely removing it... not that it saves you lots of time. My heater core has been doing that for about 75,000 miles. I can't seem to find the motivation to change it. I'll probably do it once I notice coolant disapearing.

Joe

 

[Msilbernagel]

You didn't mention under what circumstances the smell of antifreeze was there, but note that if it is after you've warmed up and then shut off the engine - it could simply be the residual heat in the engine block causing a brief spike in temp and pushing AF into the radiator's overflow container (and therefore a little of the smell escaping the vent).



... a thought.



Mark

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[BLively]

i have the same problem- antifreeze smell and windshield fogging up. i took the dash out just to see what it was like, the dash isnt the hard part... so far :-laf . i will probably try to motivate myself to finish it when there isnt ice all over the place!