Antifreeze smell on the inside!

[SHOstuff]

Hey guys , it's been a while since I've posted something for solving. But what's happening is that I've noticed today that I'm starting to smell antifreeze on the inside of my car and right where the defrost vents are by the windsheild I see where it's fogging up my windows and I don't see any leak coming from the heater core under the glove compartment nor is it over heating. Could anyone tell me what it is and how to resolve the issue? Personally I think the heater core is going bad. But I need some inputs guys, thanks!

 

[Freakazoid]

I have been changing a heater core in a 95 SHO at work (the garage where I work), and those were the same symptoms. The heater core I took out had a crack along the nozzle where the heater hose attaches, and it dripped/drained into the "box" where the heater core actually sits, and corroded the fins on the core. If you do change the core, be prepared for a lot of work! Good luck!

 

[cyanmauve]

I bet you got a heater core leak, and it probably needs to be replaced. I have had the same problem for a while now. The one thing that I might suggest you do before ripping out your dash and replacing the whole unit is running a couple of bottles of stop leak through the heating system. You can get this at an Autozone or O'Reiley shop. As for my situation, I am letting the dealership handle the problem. (Didn't want to rip out the dash)

 

[rangerj]

SHOSTUFF,

Anti-freeze on the inside is a heater core leak 99.99% of the time. Stop Leak is NOT a VIABLE option. It could cause more problems than it will cure, IMHO. It is time consuming, but worth the effort to fix it right. rangerj

 

[SHOZ123]

Before you tear anything up or use a stop leak try tightening the heater hose clamps at the firewall.

 

[SHOPWR]

if there is film showing up on the inside of your windshield, it is indeed your heater core leaking. keep in mind if you keep driving it with the heater on or a/c its hazardous to breath it in.

<small>[ December 18, 2003, 09:42 PM: Message edited by: SHOPWR ]</small>

 

[SHOZ123]

A lot of heater core failures are really the hoses leaking into the interior. Before you change out a heater core ALWAYS do a pressure check of just the core first. This is the only way to tell if it is indeed the core leaking. Way to much work changing out a core if it is just new hoses or tighter clamps needed.

 

[SHO SPD]

mines doing the same thing, but havent ben able to check it out yet.

 

[SHOstuff]

Thanks for the input guys. I was pretty sure it was the heater core but I wanted to be sure and get the experts advice. What I'm going to do is re-route the hose to bypass the core for now. Thanks again for the input. By the way, when I put the car on ramps to see where the leak was coming from, cause I saw water coming from underneath close to the firewall, It was coming from the drain hole for the a/c anything you can tell me about that and how to install the heater core?

 

[SHOZ123]

It was coming from the drain hole for the a/c

If the hoses at the firewall leak they will leak into the heater core and drain the same way as a bad core.

Pressure test, pressure test, cheap and easy, especially since you are already going to do a bypass.

 

[SHOstuff]

How do you go about changing the heater core, what all do I need to take apart?

 

[jutsin]

Here is a little advise, take it to a certified mechanic, it is the biggest pain in the a$$!! I got started on mine, so I thought, and 2 days later i had to take it to the shop. You have to take everything in front of the seats out. But hay, if you have about 3 days on your hands then get a chiltons and have fun, but i would take it to someone!! just my meaningless thoughts

 

[projectSHO89]

SHOstuff:
How do you go about changing the heater core, what all do I need to take apart?

Almost EVERYTHING (it seems).

You did pressure test it, didn't you?

This is not a job for the faint-of-heart.


See Taurus Heater Core Replacement Procedure.

Steve

 

[SHOPWR]

you dont even need a chiltons to do it.its very simple, just time consuming.ive done many of those jobs on different fords.when you take the heater core out there might be some antifreeze left in the core so dont spill it on your interior.

<small>[ December 23, 2003, 02:42 AM: Message edited by: SHOPWR ]</small>

 

[SHOstuff]

Hey guys, one question, once I take the instrument panel off how do you take apart the black plastic box that the core sits in? That's the only thing that's stopping me from doing the job? I can't get the box to budge from the firewall. madflame

 

[BigCaney]

SHOstuff:
Hey guys, one question, once I take the instrument panel off how do you take apart the black plastic box that the core sits in? That's the only thing that's stopping me from doing the job? I can't get the box to budge from the firewall. madflame

The heater box must be pulled back from the fire wall to be able to get to the heater core access panel on the top of the heater box. To pull the heater/ac box back from the firewall you have to remove the 3 nuts on the engine side of the fire wall that hold the heater/ac box in place. Of course the heater hoses will have to be unhooked from the heater core and guess what else has to be unhooked, yelp both of the a/c lines.

I just replaced the heater core in my '91 Plus back in November. The most important thing you will need is patience.

Good luck,
Mike