99 ls400

Would removing the cable to it accomplish cutting off the heater core? Is it true that doing so will disable AC?

I took this pic from Google....but it's the same as mine.

 

Why do you want to cut it off ?? Leaking ? I'd just bypass it with a 90 degree pipe or tube.

removing the cable will prevent it from opening or closing. You should have AC. But you won't have heat

 

I smell it but don't see any leaks anywhere, no wet carpet, but the smell is there. Spring is coming and it'll be 100 for months soon so disabling heater core will buy me some time.

 

Well I say give it a go. Just close it and pop off the cable.

do you smell it on AC or heat? Recirculating or external air coming in ? Any coolant loss in the tea ??

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Close? How? It rests half way up. Only on heat and goes away when setting to recirc.

 

sure you can bypass the heater core and you will not have heat. just remove the cable and keep the mix valve in the closed position.
AC is on an independent system and should still work if the cable is not connected.

possible you have an coolant leak in the engine bay and the vents are picking up the smell in the cabin?
keep it on recirculate and see if the smell goes away.

 

When I switch to recirc it went away. Is the closed position at 9 o clock?

I know there's a leak somewhere but no visible leaks anywhere

 

If it goes away on recirculating you have a leak in the engine bay. Check the hoses running to the valve or the valve itself. They are prone to leaking at this age.

I can just twist mine to close. It doesn't pop open.

​​​​if you have the red coolant in your system it's easy to spot. It dries into a pinky white crud looking.

it will be labelled on the side facing the left fender. It will say which direction is closed

 

First thing checked were those hoses. Don't see anything. Must be a drip or so cuz I don't see any coolant leak on the ground. But the previous owner used green coolant.

 

Not having to refill it at all ? Temps all good ??

 

Temps good, I've refilled twice. Today was the second time.

 

Alright. Then we need to trace the leak. Remove the engine cover if it's still on and start following the hoses. You won't see a puddle on the ground because it's only leaking when under pressure.

take off the front intake above the radiator.

let it idle at running temp with the hood up and start waiting for it to smell. I'd say it's dripping onto the engine or exhaust and just evaporating.

if you can't see, head to a parts store or Amazon and grab a uv dye kit.

you want want to catch this quick if you drive it daily and a small leak can turn into a big leak quick. Especially if it's cooler over there and the car heats up to running temp

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Mine is leaking. This is what he residue looks like