I just bought a 98 ek hatch. It has 147,000 on the clock. Timing belt and water pump were done, it has new radiator. The issue is when I turn the heat on it smells like antifreeze. After its on for a few minutes it goes away. If I turn it off for a couple more minutes and then turn it back on then it smells again. Could this be head gasket or more likely the heater core? Its uncommon that the cores go, but maybe it needs to be since the radiator was done..any suggestions?

 

Sounds like a bad heater core, keep a close eye on your radiator fluid level in the radiator and dont open it hot, check it in the mornings. Pull the carpet back and see if there is any sign of leaking onto the floorpan, this may be a very minor leak but it will be one hell of a job to fix.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Duane_in_Japan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sounds like a bad heater core, keep a close eye on your radiator fluid level in the radiator and dont open it hot, check it in the mornings. Pull the carpet back and see if there is any sign of leaking onto the floorpan, this may be a very minor leak but it will be one hell of a job to fix.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats what Im thinking. They are not that hard to change. Floor is not wet and radiator is completely topped off. I will check tomorrow morning though.

 

I had the same problem, I changed the heater core and it's all good

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by numberone &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I had the same problem, I changed the heater core and it's all good </TD></TR></TABLE>

kewl, thats what Ill try then