Smelling coolant while using heater....
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Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 608
Likes: 131
From: Indiana
It's that or an external leak in the engine bay that is picked up by the HVAC intake. Are you losing coolant? Maybe look under the mats or main carpeting up front. to see if you see puddles or trails.Hopefully it's just something simple!
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,278
Likes: 317
From: ct
It sure smells like it would be. Oops, I mean sounds like it. 
As mentioned, check for wet floor. Passenger side under dash right near center console. Usually when the heater core goes ya get fogged windows and a greasy film on the windows also. When mine was bad in my 93 the coolant leaked into the heat ducts in the heater assembly, not on the floor. Steam would come out all the vents and defroster, especially after I turned the car off.
Also, as mentioned, it could be something in the engine bay. Check the heater valve located on the firewall.
As mentioned, check for wet floor. Passenger side under dash right near center console. Usually when the heater core goes ya get fogged windows and a greasy film on the windows also. When mine was bad in my 93 the coolant leaked into the heat ducts in the heater assembly, not on the floor. Steam would come out all the vents and defroster, especially after I turned the car off.
Also, as mentioned, it could be something in the engine bay. Check the heater valve located on the firewall.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 66
From: California
It sure smells like it would be. Oops, I mean sounds like it.
As mentioned, check for wet floor. Passenger side under dash right near center console. Usually when the heater core goes ya get fogged windows and a greasy film on the windows also. When mine was bad in my 93 the coolant leaked into the heat ducts in the heater assembly, not on the floor. Steam would come out all the vents and defroster, especially after I turned the car off.
Also, as mentioned, it could be something in the engine bay. Check the heater valve located on the firewall.
As mentioned, check for wet floor. Passenger side under dash right near center console. Usually when the heater core goes ya get fogged windows and a greasy film on the windows also. When mine was bad in my 93 the coolant leaked into the heat ducts in the heater assembly, not on the floor. Steam would come out all the vents and defroster, especially after I turned the car off.
Also, as mentioned, it could be something in the engine bay. Check the heater valve located on the firewall.
Last edited by Sin1UZFE; Feb 7, 2019 at 12:54 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 223
Likes: 14
From: OR
I have this same issue. Add in that my heat doesn't actually get hot, and I have disappearing coolant and a good bit of white smoke. No leaks anywhere. No coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant, but I'm questioning the head gasket at this point.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 66
From: California
I'd say head gasket on your case. Mine ended up being the water pump seals. It's gonna be replaced free of charge so I'm good.
it's very rare to see a head gasket failure in these cars, even if neglected!
most of the time when the heater doesn't work, it's simply air in the coolant which needs to be bleed out properly (takes time).
white smoke could be from power steering pump burning the fluid (not to be confused with normal condensation during first start up which burns off after driving when the pipes get warm).
to the OP as for the smell, make sure there isn't a leak in the engine bay that the smell is being introduced into the cabin, as Fit1too stated.
most of the time when the heater doesn't work, it's simply air in the coolant which needs to be bleed out properly (takes time).
white smoke could be from power steering pump burning the fluid (not to be confused with normal condensation during first start up which burns off after driving when the pipes get warm).
to the OP as for the smell, make sure there isn't a leak in the engine bay that the smell is being introduced into the cabin, as Fit1too stated.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 66
From: California
it's very rare to see a head gasket failure in these cars, even if neglected!
most of the time when the heater doesn't work, it's simply air in the coolant which needs to be bleed out properly (takes time).
white smoke could be from power steering pump burning the fluid (not to be confused with normal condensation during first start up which burns off after driving when the pipes get warm).
to the OP as for the smell, make sure there isn't a leak in the engine bay that the smell is being introduced into the cabin, as Fit1too stated.
most of the time when the heater doesn't work, it's simply air in the coolant which needs to be bleed out properly (takes time).
white smoke could be from power steering pump burning the fluid (not to be confused with normal condensation during first start up which burns off after driving when the pipes get warm).
to the OP as for the smell, make sure there isn't a leak in the engine bay that the smell is being introduced into the cabin, as Fit1too stated.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 66
From: California
Exactly! Lol I only got it for 400 I figured there would be issues. As for what works, everything other than what hasn't been fixed lol. I think it sat for much more than was claimed. I have taken it on 300 mile trips so plenty works lol.
Last edited by Sin1UZFE; Feb 26, 2019 at 10:56 AM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 707
Likes: 61
From: Colorado
I'd pit my $300 special against yours for who has done the most work.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 223
Likes: 14
From: OR
I'm about 99% on it not being air in my coolant. I've deleted the ACV on my PS pump, so it's definitely not that. I've got it drained now and I'm replacing the coolant inlet housing because the fill bolt is seized, so I'll be running the fill process again soon and I'll make sure to count the amount of coolant I put in.
But this is (supposed to have) a new water pump. I've been chasing down a code 12 on this for a while and I've had the front covers off several times. I haven't noticed any sort of gasket seal, but I haven't been looking for one either.
So should I just go ham on this and pull all the way back to the pump and replace the gaskets, or pay to have a gas test done?
But this is (supposed to have) a new water pump. I've been chasing down a code 12 on this for a while and I've had the front covers off several times. I haven't noticed any sort of gasket seal, but I haven't been looking for one either.
So should I just go ham on this and pull all the way back to the pump and replace the gaskets, or pay to have a gas test done?
