Coolent smell
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
Coolent smell
for about 2 weeks now I sometimes smell coolent in my cab. what is strange is I smell it when I have the panel (vent) on, not the heater or A/C. (no drips on carpet) Yesterday I could see fluid dripping from under the passenger side towards the back of the engine. My truck had been sitting in the parking lot for 6 hours (I'd been playing golf)and when I got in the smell was strong and I looked underneth there was a small puddle with a few drops still dripping. Today I take it to the lube shop for a oil change & radiator flush, but told them about the problem. They pressured it a couple of times and could find no leeks. so no flush, got to find leak first. I ask the tech to see if there was a hose leaking above the 4 plug he said it was dry. Anyone got any ideas? 98 F-150 4.6
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 6
From: Coal country
Check your A/C drain on the firewall, where the condensate runs out. If coolant is in there, your heater core is leaking.
Since you have the smell in the cab, I am willing to bet that's the case.
If you cannot see the drain well, just stick a finger up into it. Touch your finger to the tip of your tongue, and if it tastes sweet (like antifreeze) you have found your problem.
Since you have the smell in the cab, I am willing to bet that's the case.
If you cannot see the drain well, just stick a finger up into it. Touch your finger to the tip of your tongue, and if it tastes sweet (like antifreeze) you have found your problem.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: LA
If you do this yoursel, you will miss more than a round of golf! It's a grand in my neck of the woods for this repair. It is by all means NOT an easy repair. Your entire dash has to be removed. This means pass. side airbag, lower the steering wheel, disconnect a lot of the electricals etc. etc. It took me a weekend. The better share of two days.
Do a search. There is a fellow that sends you instructions on the repair on this board. You can also get the CD manual on ebay which worked very well for me.
The heater core was the first nail in my trucks coffin. The head gasket was second. I sold it and went back a couple years to a 95 where all these things are much easier accessible.
As others have mentioned, there is no leak inside the cab, because the heater box drains to the outside. The leak may be small enough for the cooling system pressure checker not to pick it up. To smell something, you do not need a whole lot of substance, as you can imagine. Consider this one diagnosed, if it smells like antifreeze from out of your vents, you are up for a heater core.
Good Luck,
George
Do a search. There is a fellow that sends you instructions on the repair on this board. You can also get the CD manual on ebay which worked very well for me.
The heater core was the first nail in my trucks coffin. The head gasket was second. I sold it and went back a couple years to a 95 where all these things are much easier accessible.
As others have mentioned, there is no leak inside the cab, because the heater box drains to the outside. The leak may be small enough for the cooling system pressure checker not to pick it up. To smell something, you do not need a whole lot of substance, as you can imagine. Consider this one diagnosed, if it smells like antifreeze from out of your vents, you are up for a heater core.
Good Luck,
George
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
called the local dealership, est, of $700,,called another local automotive shop with a good reputation, $250. I thought about doing it myself after the $700 est, but now I think I'll spend the $250 @ the local automotive shop and go play golf this weekend!!
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: LA
If they quote $250, they work for $40 an hour, otherwise it can not be profitable. Ask them if they have done one like this before. Last thing you want is a mechanic to get frustrated because it takes too long and start taking shortcuts (because there isn't any). Make sure you buy a quality replacement NOT from the Ford dealer - unless you want to replace it again in 5-7 years.
George
George
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo - proof Hell has
I had my heater core replaced 10/05 by a shop that primarily works on semi's! They quoted arond $550 - it took nearly 16 hours & they only charged me the quote price! They ate nearly $1,000 in labor!!!!! 
Right now, they're replcing my gas tank. Ford wanted $742 for 1 & they found 1 for $250 & w/new sending unit, straps & labor the total cost will be about $642 including a new fuel filter I gave them to install! I LOVE this place!
Best of luck w/yours. I had the same symptoms & it was when I needed the heat so I had to get it done ASAP.
Right now, they're replcing my gas tank. Ford wanted $742 for 1 & they found 1 for $250 & w/new sending unit, straps & labor the total cost will be about $642 including a new fuel filter I gave them to install! I LOVE this place!
Best of luck w/yours. I had the same symptoms & it was when I needed the heat so I had to get it done ASAP.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 725
Likes: 0
From: Western Canada
I just had the same problem on my 86 bronco I could smell coolant but not see any inside. The core was leaking at the front side (firewall) and draining out the A/C tube. Cost $65 for the core and 30 minutes to change, real easy in this truck.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: LA
Originally Posted by mblayton
I just had the same problem on my 86 bronco I could smell coolant but not see any inside. The core was leaking at the front side (firewall) and draining out the A/C tube. Cost $65 for the core and 30 minutes to change, real easy in this truck.
I can not help but think that the factory does not care about long term ownership. Cost for long term repairs (like heater cores) is extremely high on the newer vehicles. They will get junked quicker, no question ...
George
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
Well I just got my truck back. I took it in @ 7:30 am Thursday, got it back 9:30 am Friday. A quote price of 250.00 actual charge of $360.00. Best 360 I ever spent, not having to do it myself! Everything looks great, by the way I left the 20 page document on how to change it out that I got from this website in the front seat, looked like it had been used pretty good! ha ha
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: LA
Great. Good idea to leave the instructions. There is TONS of fasteners that are somewhat hidden. So, its about knowing where to look and what to do first. Only if you have done this a few times you will be good at it. I do all my automotive work myself but I have to say, for $360 out the door, I would pay someone else als well!
George
George
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: LA
Funny that you say that, Captain Charlie. I had a 93 Passat with a bad core. You had to VENT the a/c to get to the darn thing. Also take the entire dash out. Fun! Once we got it out, it said "made in France" on the core. 
George
George
Guest
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,988
Likes: 55
From: north west new jersey
vw has never had a good core.plastic tanks on alloy cores, the plastic rots away when people mix the german antifreeze with the american green stuff.
back from 1985 to 1992 they even had a recall on heater cores in all models. then
just before i retired i had to do one on a toraeg suv, talk about a s job thats the big one .i would rather do a ford any day. any time you smell antifreeze inside a car or truck almost 95% of the time it's the core.
back from 1985 to 1992 they even had a recall on heater cores in all models. then
just before i retired i had to do one on a toraeg suv, talk about a s job thats the big one .i would rather do a ford any day. any time you smell antifreeze inside a car or truck almost 95% of the time it's the core.