smoke coming through defrost..help!

[luigisho]

Hey all. This is my first post on this forum. Hopefully someone can help with this problem. I was driving a few days ago and noticed dark smoke wafting up through the defrost vents (the climate control was off). I pulled over and looked under the hood but didn't see anything. Nothing similar has happened since and the heater seems to work fine. Any ideas where this came from? I have a small oil leak and was thinking it hit the cats? Also several months ago after a rain storm my defroster was stuck on full blast for a day or two. So I was also thinking electrical (bcm,heater core)? Anyone have any thoughts? Hoping to avoid a fire! Thanks.

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1990 sho
sho shop y-pipe
k&n panel filter
coming soon: udp's and sfc's

 

[slosho]

What can I say, It's a Ford!

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95' ATX Opal Frost
Cone Filter W/ heat shield
TB coolant Bypass
Bypassed a "PCV" line
Fog light mod
Reverse light mod
Sony head unit (el cheapo cdx-650)
JL Monoblock 500
JL 2-12w3's
Rear tint
More to come.

 

[NotoriusCSR]

my friend just had this same problem but it wasnt smoke. he said it was anti-freeze or freon or something like that. it was the heater core.

 

[edogg23]

defiantely the heater core and unfortunately its a very expensive job because they have to take the whole dash apart to get to it.

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Erik from Orlando 89 silver SHO 128k miles dynomax cat back w/out resonator, ss y-pipe, ss underdrive pulleys,eibach springs, koni struts, pp motor mounts, 17X8 fitipaldi polaris rims with 245/45/17 zr comp t/a tires SHO FEAR written across the windshield, v1 radar detector quantum tinted windows, custom cold air intake with a ractive heat shield. 14.8 @ 93 mph in 90 degree weather!

 

[jthomas68]

Yup,the smoke is the heater core.Wait until it gets really bad,you don`t be able to see

The other problem is a leak,letting water drip onto the blower control module.It shorts out the system causing it to run full blast.The module is fine,just find the leak.

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Jeremy Thomas
Modified 91+
Pic Of The Week:

 

[luigisho]

Thanks for the input guys. Is it possible to replace the heater core yourself? Has anyone ever done this? Also, I went to change the oil today and noticed that the sho shop y-pipe I had welded in is touching the fins on the oil pan. That can't be good. I have a small oil leak that tends to run down to the bottom of the oil pan so maybe it was oil? I'm still leaning heater core. Should I break the welds on the exhaust and try to move it?

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1990 sho
sho shop y-pipe
k&n panel filter
coming soon: udp's and sfc's

 

[NotoriusCSR]

my friend just finished (2 hours ago) replacing the heater core himself w/ the help of his dad. took like 5 days for them to do it in their driveway though.

 

[edogg23]

If you dont need heat in your car you can re-route one of the coolent hoses and by pass your heater core all together. If you wanted to do this Im sure someone on this board could give you much better dirrections. Otherwise I think it is like a 600 dollar plus repair ;-(

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_______________________
Erik from Orlando 89 silver SHO 128k miles dynomax cat back w/out resonator, ss y-pipe, ss underdrive pulleys,eibach springs, koni struts, pp motor mounts, 17X8 fitipaldi polaris rims with 245/45/17 zr comp t/a tires SHO FEAR written across the windshield, v1 radar detector quantum tinted windows, custom cold air intake with a ractive heat shield. 14.8 @ 93 mph in 90 degree weather!

 

[Mike Stitzer]

Sounds like a heater core to me too. I replaced mine in a Mersury topaz and that was a bitch, I wouldn't even try my SHO. I temporary fix would be to just bypass the core As long as you don't need heat. Mine got progressively worse over time.

Mike

 

[qiksho]

Sorry to here about ur problem. I had the same thing happen about a month ago. DO NOT DRIVE IT AROUND unless u want a big mess to clean up. I have seen them blow antifreeze all over the windshield and vents.

It took me and my dad about 6 hours to fix heater core. Not a hard job and new core is like $50 bucks. Just takes a lot of time. One big thing is u have to have air conditioning drained and have a small tool to take air conditioning couplers apart. (I borrowed some from a friend). Just takes time and patients. If u need some more help on it email me.

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[projectSHO89]

I started this job today.

Am stuck on trying to get the A/C lines disconnected.

Can't get my hands in there with those little plastic tools from Autozone. Got everything else loose.

I wanna find that rat $%##@% who put this thing together like this.

Steve

 

[Slaad]

mine did the same thing, i just bypassed it. i live in florida, i dont need a heater.

i'll get it fixed when i have the time and patience

 

[projectSHO89]

Slaad

Yeah, this one was bypassed when I got the car, so I knew what what was wrong.

Unfortunately, Missouri's winter won't allow that as an option.

Steve