I'm not sure why but lately my air conditioning has begun smelling like anti freeze. It's most prevalent when the system is on MAX AC, but it still smells even on regular A/C mode. I do have a small, very small, radiator leak but it is near the top of the radiator and has been doing it since last summer, but the smell has just recently started.

A new radiator is already on order and should be here this week.

Any ideas?

 

Your heater core is leaking.

 

Just went out and tested... yep, no working heater anymore, so you are probably right. Great, I've heard they are just loads of fun to replace too.

 

Had that happen to my 83' Ford E150, and yes it was fun to replace

 

Should I just bite the bullet and go OEM on this or has anyone used the aftermarket units with any success? Money is tight and bills are high, but I know if I don't do this right I'll be paying again in the long run.

 

Heater cores are not expensive. I alway use OEM. Ford has a TSB on heater core failures which explains how to minimize chances of repeat failures. You might want to get a copy.

 

I refuse to use another OEM aluminum heater core. The work truck is in need of a replacement already,and I changed it almost a year ago. The copper/brass aftermarket unit I used on the Navigator is still working perfect with no leaks at all,and it's got more mileage on it since the change than the work truck does.
JL

 

Anyone else have trouble out of the OEM units? That's not the first time I've heard that too.

 

I've seen repeat failures on OEM and aftermarket. It isn't always the core its the cooling system and electrolysis. That is why Ford came out with the TSB. I prefer OEM parts because of proper fit and consistant quality.

 

I can hunt down the TSB but not knowing specifically what to look for, do you have it available to scan and post? If not, that's ok, I will try to find it tomorrow when I'm off.

 

Go to the top of the page and click on Recalls/TSBs. Then click on "Full Text TSBs". The TSB you want is 6-21-19. Your vehicle may already have a restictor. My 01 Expedition has one in the heater hose at the front of the intake.

 

Both of my vehicles have the restrictor,and both pass the tests for electrolysis. The OEM aluminum core is just a problematic part made of paper thin aluminum.
JL

 

You MUST change your antifreeze at least every 2 years because the corrosion inhibitors
become depleted due to the electrolytic action that is happening in the cooling sytem
24/7. This happens in every cooling system but is worse in modern vehicles due to the many different types of metal in the systems. Dan.

 

These heater cores are not fun to do. MIne went at about 140k. I bypasses it for about 8 months before I replaced it. You literally have to remove the entire dash to get to it.

 

What hoses do I have to couple to bypass it? I need my a/c today, the heater core can wait for now.