whenever i turn on the heater, it smells somewhat like coolant. more like a coolant and oil smell. anyway to get rid of it? i searched and read you can spray lysol or another antibacterial spray into the vents, but would this work for this type of smell or is it something else?

 

do you have a leak? They are closed system, should not smell at all. Lysol and that stuff only hide the smell really...check for leaks.

 

Check your hoses.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DeadEnd9009 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">do you have a leak? They are closed system, should not smell at all. Lysol and that stuff only hide the smell really...check for leaks. </TD></TR></TABLE>

actually, there is coolant on my block. went out eariler to check my oil, put more in, let it idle to see if it's still leaking and i see fresh coolant on the block. i thought headgasket, but no other signs show up. no white powder on the oil cap, nothing.

 

your heater core is leaking prolly check that its unde the glove compartment

 

A leaking heater core was my first guess also. However, if you're finding leaking coolant in the engine bay, it's possible that the smell is simply being carried into the cabin by the blower. Is the smell only noticeable when using the heater, or whenever the blower is on?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Padawan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A leaking heater core was my first guess also. However, if you're finding leaking coolant in the engine bay, it's possible that the smell is simply being carried into the cabin by the blower. Is the smell only noticeable when using the heater, or whenever the blower is on?</TD></TR></TABLE>

really only when the air is hot. i just turned it on when it was still cold and i smelled nothing. it's not that strong, but you can definitely smell it. it doesn't smell like clean air

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by idAno &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">really only when the air is hot. i just turned it on when it was still cold and i smelled nothing. it's not that strong, but you can definitely smell it. it doesn't smell like clean air </TD></TR></TABLE>

How about when the car is fully warmed up and the temperature selector is set to cold rather than hot. And also, have you been able to determine where the coolant is leaking in the engine compartment? Basically, you're trying to determine if the air is picking up the odour once it's inside the cabin, or if it's being drawn in from outside.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Padawan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

How about when the car is fully warmed up and the temperature selector is set to cold rather than hot. And also, have you been able to determine where the coolant is leaking in the engine compartment? Basically, you're trying to determine if the air is picking up the odour once it's inside the cabin, or if it's being drawn in from outside. </TD></TR></TABLE>

i haven't. i've been trying to find out that leak for a while. i'm guessing it's a headgasket, but no other signs are appearing. no white residue on the oil cap or anything. the leak is right where the head and block meet so it has to be a headgasket.

if the smell comes when it's only hot, what could that mean? what if it's both? i have to run some place here soon so i'll definitely check it out. if not, definitely tomorrow morning.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by idAno &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if the smell comes when it's only hot, what could that mean? what if it's both? i have to run some place here soon so i'll definitely check it out. if not, definitely tomorrow morning.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, if the smell occurs whether the selector is set to hot or cold, it's more than likely not the heater core, since the air would only be diverted through there when using the heat.

 

heatercore would be my guess...but i cant figure out why there would be fresh coolant on the block?? im kinda baffled