Strong coolant smell in the cabin when I turn the heat on...heater core gone bad?
#1
Rotary Freak
Thread Starter
Strong coolant smell in the cabin when I turn the heat on...heater core gone bad?
How hard is it to fix this thing? I have read that you have to pull the dash to get at the heater core. Has anyone done any work on their heater core. Is there a good write up with pics somewhere?
#4
Yeah, Heater core, I am replacing mine now, not a hard job, just time consuming as hell. Taking the dash off was a bitch, just take your time and don't go ripping **** off like I did. Damn plastic cost me $96!
#5
don't race, don't need to
Hey jpandes. Do you find your interior steaming up pretty bad? Even with the air recirculating turned off? (arrow on the little car button points in from outside instead of a little circle. I know you know this, but others...) This is one of the best symptoms for recognizing heater core problems.
I will mention that when I had a slight leak form one of my TB hoses, I would get an occaisonal coolant smell with the heat on, but it would also be there with the temp turned to cool (not with A/C on). Sounds a bunch like it is your heater core.. (what ELSE can go wrong with it!!?? Sigh... I know the feeling)
You will need to pull the dash to get at the core. Way to go mazda. Look in this section for dash pulling advice. Not as hard as one might think, just involved (like THAT'S anything new!!)
How is your engine doing, BTW?
I will mention that when I had a slight leak form one of my TB hoses, I would get an occaisonal coolant smell with the heat on, but it would also be there with the temp turned to cool (not with A/C on). Sounds a bunch like it is your heater core.. (what ELSE can go wrong with it!!?? Sigh... I know the feeling)
You will need to pull the dash to get at the core. Way to go mazda. Look in this section for dash pulling advice. Not as hard as one might think, just involved (like THAT'S anything new!!)
How is your engine doing, BTW?
#6
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Join Date: May 2003
Location: MIA
Posts: 3,639
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do I have heater core problems if my heater doesnt shoot heat very well? As soon as I pot it on heat, it shoots the heat then just sorta warm air not HOT. The car also doesnt seem to be getting hot enough to even reach the 16lbs cap its got.
Trending Topics
#8
Rotary Freak
Thread Starter
Originally posted by spurvo
Hey jpandes. Do you find your interior steaming up pretty bad? Even with the air recirculating turned off? (arrow on the little car button points in from outside instead of a little circle. I know you know this, but others...) This is one of the best symptoms for recognizing heater core problems.
I will mention that when I had a slight leak form one of my TB hoses, I would get an occaisonal coolant smell with the heat on, but it would also be there with the temp turned to cool (not with A/C on). Sounds a bunch like it is your heater core.. (what ELSE can go wrong with it!!?? Sigh... I know the feeling)
You will need to pull the dash to get at the core. Way to go mazda. Look in this section for dash pulling advice. Not as hard as one might think, just involved (like THAT'S anything new!!)
How is your engine doing, BTW?
Hey jpandes. Do you find your interior steaming up pretty bad? Even with the air recirculating turned off? (arrow on the little car button points in from outside instead of a little circle. I know you know this, but others...) This is one of the best symptoms for recognizing heater core problems.
I will mention that when I had a slight leak form one of my TB hoses, I would get an occaisonal coolant smell with the heat on, but it would also be there with the temp turned to cool (not with A/C on). Sounds a bunch like it is your heater core.. (what ELSE can go wrong with it!!?? Sigh... I know the feeling)
You will need to pull the dash to get at the core. Way to go mazda. Look in this section for dash pulling advice. Not as hard as one might think, just involved (like THAT'S anything new!!)
How is your engine doing, BTW?
BTW, my engine is running great(cross my fingers), I also just installed my midpipe, and I love it!
Does anyone have a good, non leaking, nor clogged heater core for sale - cheap? ****
Last edited by jpandes; 04-15-04 at 01:31 AM.
#10
Rotary Freak
I have it also occasionally but then again, when I do short and calme drives there are coming ome coolant fumes from unther the bonnet (airpump,turbo's area)
WhenI leave it idling to cool down this event occurs.after about 5 minutes it passes slowly.
When I'm driving an dneed to stop at the red lights I get a bit of acollant sense in the car. It goes away when I'm driving again. really weird.
I don't think it has anything to do with the heater (airco is down due to no airco liquid) but that I'm having a leak in the "small" coolant circuit. As when I have driven the car for several miles and leave it idling there is no sign of coolant fumes. So i guess it's something before the themostat opens towards the radiator, no???
I'm really guessing here. I need to change the belts next week so I'll have a look at the coolant hoses.
Any tips here???
WhenI leave it idling to cool down this event occurs.after about 5 minutes it passes slowly.
When I'm driving an dneed to stop at the red lights I get a bit of acollant sense in the car. It goes away when I'm driving again. really weird.
I don't think it has anything to do with the heater (airco is down due to no airco liquid) but that I'm having a leak in the "small" coolant circuit. As when I have driven the car for several miles and leave it idling there is no sign of coolant fumes. So i guess it's something before the themostat opens towards the radiator, no???
I'm really guessing here. I need to change the belts next week so I'll have a look at the coolant hoses.
Any tips here???
#11
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
Join Date: May 2003
Location: MIA
Posts: 3,639
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by Speedworks
I have it also occasionally but then again, when I do short and calme drives there are coming ome coolant fumes from unther the bonnet (airpump,turbo's area)
WhenI leave it idling to cool down this event occurs.after about 5 minutes it passes slowly.
When I'm driving an dneed to stop at the red lights I get a bit of acollant sense in the car. It goes away when I'm driving again. really weird.
I don't think it has anything to do with the heater (airco is down due to no airco liquid) but that I'm having a leak in the "small" coolant circuit. As when I have driven the car for several miles and leave it idling there is no sign of coolant fumes. So i guess it's something before the themostat opens towards the radiator, no???
I'm really guessing here. I need to change the belts next week so I'll have a look at the coolant hoses.
Any tips here???
I have it also occasionally but then again, when I do short and calme drives there are coming ome coolant fumes from unther the bonnet (airpump,turbo's area)
WhenI leave it idling to cool down this event occurs.after about 5 minutes it passes slowly.
When I'm driving an dneed to stop at the red lights I get a bit of acollant sense in the car. It goes away when I'm driving again. really weird.
I don't think it has anything to do with the heater (airco is down due to no airco liquid) but that I'm having a leak in the "small" coolant circuit. As when I have driven the car for several miles and leave it idling there is no sign of coolant fumes. So i guess it's something before the themostat opens towards the radiator, no???
I'm really guessing here. I need to change the belts next week so I'll have a look at the coolant hoses.
Any tips here???
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
befarrer
Microtech
3
08-22-15 05:52 PM