Anyone wanna take a guess???

[ArcherAce]

i noticed the smell of anti freeze in the SHO on the way home from work last nite. Looked down at the temp guage and saw that it never got over 'L'. Since it's always pouring down rain, or freezing cold here, anyone wanna take a guess at where the leak might be? That might save me some time. I don't get the smell unless i run the blower (makes sense), and the radiator is full. Guess I should go out and buy a Chiltons for this car.

 

[Shoman94]

ArcherAce:
i noticed the smell of anti freeze in the SHO on the way home from work last nite. Looked down at the temp guage and saw that it never got over 'L'. Since it's always pouring down rain, or freezing cold here, anyone wanna take a guess at where the leak might be? That might save me some time. I don't get the smell unless i run the blower (makes sense), and the radiator is full. Guess I should go out and buy a Chiltons for this car.

Unfortunately I will have to say your issue is the heater core. Its located under the dash. This would explain why you smell it when the blower is on. There is the possibility that it could be one of the hoses going to it but you'll have to check it out.
Hope this helps.

 

[93SHOCOOL]

This might seem pretty stupid and petty but try and pressure test it. I found out my radiator was bad last Friday by pressure testing it, and for the longest time I thought it was a hose. Good luck if it is the heater core, I feel for ya. frown

 

[Mishney]

I have the same problem on my '95 ATX and just replaced the radiator in october. How hard is the heater core to change. Is it worth changing, like are there any downsides to leaving it in?

 

[89 Gary]

It's probably the heater core----I'd recommend you buy some Bars leak (stop leak) and pour that baby in. It's good stuff and should stop it until you have to change out the core. "Good luck doing that"

 

[Shoman94]

89 Gary:
It's probably the heater core----I'd recommend you buy some Bars leak (stop leak) and pour that baby in. It's good stuff and should stop it until you have to change out the core. "Good luck doing that"

Oh no no, do not do that...you'll end up effecting coolant passages in the motor and end up ruining the radiater down the road.
If you leave the the core to leak, you'll have to keep adding anti freeze but worst all is that you probably end up with a wet floor. It is a time consuming job, I never did one on a SHO but I'm sure it would take someone whos done it before a few hours anyways with everything said and done.

Anyways..just make sure you check it out well and actually find the issue before you go changing parts....
Hope this helps.

<small>[ February 19, 2002, 10:39 PM: Message edited by: Shoman94 ]</small>

 

[luigisho]

You need to check for leaks and/or pressure test. Don't just assume that it's the heater core. That job is a huge PITA. Ask anyone who's done it. I think the whole dash has to come off to get to it. I thought I had a bad heater core but it turned out I overfilled the coolant res. and the overflow hit the exhaust and the fumes got sucked into the cabin.

 

[drivinhard]

Check your hose connects at the heater core tabs under the hood. Make sure they are tight and you aren't dripping coolant there.

If it's the heater core, just sell your car It's a pain job. You have to removed the dash, and you have to dump the A/C refrigerant (evaporator is tied in to the heater core box). Lots of little plastic clips and screws for the dash stuff, make sure to keep it all together. I've only done 1 on a SHO, hope I never have to do another one. Think I'd rather do a motor swap...

 

[ArcherAce]

i did a heater core on an 88 mustang that was like that. it was a pain working on it with the dash in your lap. I think i'll give it a quick visual now that it's in the garage. If it's not obvious i'll get it pressure checked.

 

[Catfishphillip]

Okay! What did you end up with on the coolant leak issue? If you have a water pump leak, you will smell the coolant as it burns on the catalytic converter, especially if you're running the heater or vent fan, as it draws in the fumes. If it's terribly cold where you live, you may want the heater to work. But you could temporarily bypass the heater core altogether by installing a piece of heater hose to link the two metal pipes that feed hot coolant to the heater core. Good luck, as this stuff is between the intake manifold and the firewall and there's little room for your hands. While you're there, check to see if one of those hoses you're bypassing has a split in it. It could be leaking coolant and dribbling some into the car interior.

 

[mhodzic]

my guess is water pump leak. I have had same problem and it would drip on the cats and when the heat is on, it smells nasty inside.

 

[grn92shomtx]

if it is the water pump be very careful not to disturb the back half when you replace it. there are two o-rings behind the back half that seal it to the block. if you disturb them you might destroy them. and to replace them you have to remove the timing belt.

 

[pjtoledo]

ArcherAce:
i noticed the smell of anti freeze in the SHO on the way home from work last nite. Looked down at the temp guage and saw that it never got over 'L'. Since it's always pouring down rain, or freezing cold here, anyone wanna take a guess at where the leak might be? That might save me some time. I don't get the smell unless i run the blower (makes sense), and the radiator is full. Guess I should go out and buy a Chiltons for this car.

real men don't read Chilton's , they spend big bucks on a genuine FORD manual!!!
Look for dried green/yellow goop under the waterpump, that's the result of anti freeze leaking out the weep hole in the pump.
Perry Toledo,Ohio

 

[pittsburghsho]

I replaced my heater core last year without a manual. It was by far the worst thing I have ever done to a car. I ended up with 4 left over screws( but no rattles) and it took a total of about 6 hours to do. If it ever leaks again - I will take it to the dealer and gladly pay the $800 they want. With that said, it can be done and it is a good learning experience.