I know, I know....I have been asking a lot of questions lately. Most of which I just needed an opinion on aftermarket items....but this one has me stumped.

About a month ago, I took off from a stop light and floored my truck until about 40mph. I had the air on...not AC, but it was on the "Floor/Panel" setting, and the temperature was on cold. As soon as I let off the throttle...it hit me. The vents were blowing some nasty smelling air. Smelled like fish....like old coolant that was being burned. Not through the cylinders...but through the air vents.

I checked the coolant level, and there is plenty in the reserve tank (I will admit...it is old, and starting to turn brown...needs a flush ASAP). Also...no smoke whatsoever is coming out the exhaust.

Fast forward to this past Tuesday. I start the truck up before going to work...and I hear the sound of water running. Sounds like it's coming from behind the dash. I tap on the throttle a couple of times...the the "running water" sound gets louder, like it's related to the engine in a way.

Back in August '05, I test drove a similar truck before I got mine...and heard the same noise...but no smell.

Everyday, for the past month....this smell has been "seeping" through the vents whether they are on or off, AC or no AC....and seems to be related to how hard I get on the gas. If Im easy on it...I just get a whiff of it every now and then. But if I get on it a couple of times...then the smell is much stronger....and for longer periods of time.

Please help. This is making my passengers (and I) nauseus...and is making the truck stink like crazy in this heat.

 

Yeah.....seems like you have the heater core weeping a bit. maybe not enough yet for the coolant level to drop much. A little bit of coolant creates alot of smell especially when it is hot. When it turns color like that pretty much means the additives in the coolant are broken down and is starting to get a little acidic. the brown color is rust and corrosion. You will need a good flush and possibly a heater core.
Good Luck.

Dan.

 

Your heater core is leaking. The gurgling, means that the coolant level is lower and air is being pushed thru the heater core. Turn the temp **** to hot and you will probably get a rush of stink from it.

 

I was afraid of that. I kinda had an idea that thats what it was...

I wonder how much this is going to set me back...

 

Well...I got a quote from Firestone (the only reason I called them...well...my friend works there, so he called his boss and asked for a price quote) and the books said $631!

His boss said he could get me down to around $500 though...Parts and labor (the whole dash has to come out )

Screw Ford and their stupid designs, and their high prices.

I will be bypassing it for now (hooking the inlet and outlet hoses together)

Mabey I can figure out something before winter rolls around