Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Coolant Smell In Cab

[DTangstrom]

I have noticed a smell of antifreeze the last week or two when I turn the heat on in the cab. I haven't been overheating and if I'm losing coolant it isn't enough to notice at this point. I pressure tested the system this past weekend and found no visible leaks or spotting, but it did lose about 10psi of pressure over a few hours. I haven't had a wet carpet yet but I'm thinking heater core. Anyone body else have this problem?

 

[Beach]

Are your window's getting foggy when you run the heat! I think that's one sign of the heater core leaking!

 

[GCurrie]

Do you have a 53 block?



I am having the same problem. I have yet to look to see if the heater core is leaking (actually if that is what it is, I will be very happy) but I have also been told that it is the first signs of the block cracking below the exhaust manifold. Just something to look for.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Yep its the heater core. I just had mine replaced in January. Be prepaired its $400-600 depending on how many hours shops rate it as.



I had two tell me it was 8 hrs, 1st one quoted me $600+. The second shop told me 8 hrs also, but when they went to draw up a quote their book said it was only 5 hrs... . lucky me it was just under $400. Oo. :{

 

[DTangstrom]

Like I said I pressure tested the system, and like after driving it I never see a drop of antifreeze. I have also looked behind the oil filter before and never found a 53 anywhere on the block.

 

[DTangstrom]

Yep its the heater core. I just had mine replaced in January. Be prepaired its $400-600 depending on how many hours shops rate it as.



I had two tell me it was 8 hrs, 1st one quoted me $600+. The second shop told me 8 hrs also, but when they went to draw up a quote their book said it was only 5 hrs... . lucky me it was just under $400. Oo. :{

I figured as much. I am a real pro at the dash removal. once on my 95 and twice already on the 2000 to get at the AC unit. The last time I did it I had it all buttoned up in four hours. If I took the fan down do you think I might be able to see anything?

 

[ata]

Like I said I pressure tested the system, and like after driving it I never see a drop of antifreeze. I have also looked behind the oil filter before and never found a 53 anywhere on the block.

The 53 will most likely be on the other side of your motor. Just above the oil pan rail and below the injection pump.

 

[Got Smoke?]

Another note I forgot to mention. I never got a leak in the cab when my heater core started to fail, just a faint odor of anti-freeze that increased over a period of time. The Friday before I finally got it replaced (following Monday) the smell/fumes were so bad that only driving the truck for 15 minutes would have your head hurting and wanting to get out.



Oh yeah, put a pressure gauge on the radiator too and still couldn't find a visible leak. Changed out the heater core and all the problems went away... ... well except the aching wallet. :{

 

[DTangstrom]

Another note I forgot to mention. I never got a leak in the cab when my heater core started to fail, just a faint odor of anti-freeze that increased over a period of time. The Friday before I finally got it replaced (following Monday) the smell/fumes were so bad that only driving the truck for 15 minutes would have your head hurting and wanting to get out.



Oh yeah, put a pressure gauge on the radiator too and still couldn't find a visible leak. Changed out the heater core and all the problems went away... ... well except the aching wallet. :{

Thanks for the help. I'm going to go as long as I can before I change it out, still cold mornings here in MA. If I have to I will pull the hoses off it and bypass it until I get a day to do it.

 

[sgoeing]

dealer is more like 1k.



I had mine replaced and then the shop assembled the dash wrong.



so the dealer redid the dash for 800. The core would have been another 100+, so an actual good dealer would be about 1k.



I got burned on the shop. Make sure you take it somewhere reputable. Mine ended up being 1400 and 3 days in the shop total instead of just 1000 and one day in the shop.



hindsight is wonderful.

 

[Got Smoke?]

dealer is more like 1k.



I had mine replaced and then the shop assembled the dash wrong.



so the dealer redid the dash for 800. The core would have been another 100+, so an actual good dealer would be about 1k.



I got burned on the shop. Make sure you take it somewhere reputable. Mine ended up being 1400 and 3 days in the shop total instead of just 1000 and one day in the shop.



hindsight is wonderful.

Seems to me they should have ate the extra for their screw up?

 

[johncameron]

How much is a heater core? Does anyone know somewhere to order online?



Thanks.

 

[DTangstrom]

I bought mine at rockauto.com. They had about 3 different munufactures to choose from.

 

[2-ND TIME]

Coolant smell in cab.

Glad to here that it isnt' a 53 block! What number is yours? Derrick dog soaked me for about $1100 bucks to replace the heater core when I told them that it was the heater motor that needed to be replaced!(that didn't need to be replaced) So girlfriend and I changed the motor at -12*C the one weekend I drove home from work with no cab heat!!!#@$%! that was along 11 hours of driving. IT has been working well ever since! ( just haven't found an honest dollarshop yet)

 

[TboneMan]

My truck is in the "shop" right now for its second heater core in 7 months.



The guy who does most of the work on my truck used a core from NAPA when he replace the bad OE (170,000 mile) back in March.



Last weekend I got the all too familiar interior fog and coolant smell.



He's replacing the NAPA part with a Mopar this time. He's warrantying the part and labor.



Hopefully, this is the last time I need to have this done.

 

[johncameron]

Does anyone have the procidure for changing it? I'd like to do it myself.



J

 

[2-ND TIME]

WoW

How did you find a dealership like that??????? I am impressed!