The last few weeks, since its gotten colder, i have noticed a light smell of antifreeze coolant when the truck gets to the temperature where the temp gauge is pointing straight up( just before the fan kicks in i guess) As soon as i smell it, i look at the gauge, its straight up, then it slowly cools...down to normal. Thats the only time i smell it, then the rest of the drive its gone.....With the heat on or off..i only smell it for the quick instance.....Any ideas? Or anything to look at?

 

Heater core leaking. Eventually you will find the green puddle. It is a long way in to the core. Replace the instrument cover if cracked at same time. It comfortable with AC, you might as well do the evaporator and be done with all that goes broken in the dark. JMHO

 

IF it is the heater core.....Can i do it myself? Or is that a shop job......? What else could be giving me a little wiff of antifreeze.....? Lee

 

Well, you could be parking at same spot that someone spilled green stuff on.

 

my truck runs between 184 and 190 it seems like. Sometimes right when it warms up it will jump to 195-197 and then come back down to 184-186 but won't do that any other time except for right when it warms up. Normal?

 

Sounds normal, thats just the thermostat opening. Mine does it too the first time i take it out in the mornin.
If there are no other leaks it sounds like the heater core. I have been smellin antifreeze going on my 2nd winter. Im trying to get to replacing it before this winter really starts.

 

most likely the core.... are you having any issues with the defrost not working very well or not getting much heat out of the vents??

We just replaced the heater core in my truck on Saturday... it's a heck of a job. The dash needs to come out.... it actually rolls forward but it's a task....

 

I havent had any steam or heat problems yet......No dripping....How many hours to do the job if it is a heater core? My buddys shop quoted 7 or 7.5

 

sounds close on the hours....

 

I think it books out to 6 hours.

 

I just got done doing mine outside today, it was 22 degrees and snowin by time I finished it. Ahhh I Love Minnesota!!
It took me about 4.5-5.5 hours with removing the heater box, cleaning all the "leaves and trees" out of it and installing a new evaporator core along with a new heater core.

Sure am glad that I replaced the Evap core also, that had its own jungle and creatures in it.

Not a hard job, just time consuming....

 

Thanks guys.....I will keep my eye on the floor for green koolaid

 

On my heater box there seems to be a vent or a drain coming out of the firewall. I would think antifreeze would come out there first??