So I bought this truck a few months ago. It has always had a smell of coolant when using the heater or the ac or even the fan. If I don't use the heater fan it's ok. There are no apparent leaks inside on the floor or anywhere but it stinks. The guy who sold me the truck told me it was because it had been sitting for over a year and that with use the smell would go away. Sounded like a load of the smelly stuff (not coolant) to me but I was wondering if there could be any truth to what he said? What would you do about this?
Thanks!

 

Sure sounds like a leaking heater core to me. NOT a fun job to replace it, BTW.

 

I figured it might be a leaking core when I got it but I didn't realise I would have to disconnect the AC to replace it. I'm not too eager to tackle this one but I'm gonna have to do it before the cold weather sets in. I was hoping somebody would have some other explanation like a line that needs tightening or something? Why wouldn't it leak or fog up the cab or anything?

 

I had the same thing for years. I tried pressure testing the system, it would hold pressure. I wasn't using any antifreeze, nothing.

Turn on the heat and it would smell though.

Ended up being the heater core.

 

I've done a couple in the past, never one on a Dakota. Probably my least favorite job on a vehicle--twice I've had to have stitches in my hand. Everything's got a sharp edge.

 

I'm pretty sure you have to pull the whole dash out.

Flat rate on it is 5.2 hours, not including recharging the A/C system.

 

You can try bypassing it and blow out most of the old coolant from the core, wait a while and see if the smell is as strong.... but that is a lot of wasted time and effort because it does sound like a bad core. It is a Major PITA!! the whole dash does have to come out, or atleast roll forward. Plus when i did mine i broke the vacuum lines that controls for the air. Best of luck!