88yotaboy

I have been smelling antifreeze after the engines warms up a bit. I know its not the water pump or the radiator, i had that go out on me so ive already replaced that. I cant find any antifreeze dripping and the truck is still running at normal temp not overheating at all. And the coolant lvl in the radiator and overflow resevoir seem to be staying the same. Where is that damn smell coming from. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Andy

radrex

Heater Core

88yotaboy

I was wondering about that. Thats mounted in the cab behind the glove right? And what about would i check?
Thanks for the info.

jimbo74

yup its under/behind the glove compartment area

radrex

I'd bet the reason it isn't leaking inside your cab is because you have the heater turned off. Turn the heater on to full heat - I'll bet you smell / see antifreeze then.

Turn on your defogger and your windshield will most likely fog up and give you a nice wiff of antifreeze.

A quick summer fix is to bypass the heater core - just disconnect the two water hoses that go into the firewall - and connect them together with a piece of pipe and a couple of hose clamps.

88yotaboy

That'll work for the summer, but i will need it this winter. Will i be able to find one in a wrecking yard easily? And is it very difficult to repace it?
Thanks for the info.

radrex

You probably wouldn't want a used heater core - buy a new one from a stealership. Yes, they are fairly difficult to change out. You probably would want to find a good independent mechanic to do it - probably for a couple of hundred bucks. That's what I paid last year.

88yotaboy

Well thanks for info but im not about to buy a heater from the dealer, they over charge way too much and i dont think im willing to pay hundreds to have my heater fixed . Ive got the rest of the summer to put a new(used) one in there so bring on the challenge. By the way how can i be sure that it is the heater core?
Thanks,
Andy

jmoore9982

I have a similar problem on my Runner. Take a look at the connectors on the heater hoses turn now and where they are spliced with aluminum tube up near the firwall over by the brake master cylinder. If you see pink puffy growth there that may be where the leak and the smell are coming from.

scuba

Hey, Nice 5 year old thread bump, Dumbass.

Take a look at dates next time. Bet ya this guy already solved his problem.

jmoore9982

OK, so I wasn't paying attention to the date. EXCUUUUUUUSE me. Did it really make you feel better about your life to call me a dumbass. Obviously you take things a lot more seriously that most people. Seriously. What is it with people like you that get all bent out of shape when something or someone doesn't fit into your little plan about how the world should work. I seriously hope that you can now feel like a man now that you have given me a smack down on line. You are my hero.

DupermanDave

It's also good to add info (regardless of how old the thread it) for people who search. Like me. I'm having a heater core leak and I'm gathering as much info as I can for this PITA project

eddieleephd

maybe some body should help you with yours!?!?

Good info any how.

and guys like this might not find it if we didn't bump them every now and then!

[N8]

You'd think with nearly 7,000 posts that you'd know to be thankful for someone searching for a change.

jmoore9982 - thanks for searching.