I get a slight anti-freeze odor from heater. No wet floor. Where is the heater air intake? Maybe coming from engine compartment like when someones catalytic farts or diesel gets in front.

 

2003 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab.

 

The air comes in from the cowl, passenger side.

Here's a thread you might find interesting:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ore-leaks.html

 

Hey, I'm from another forum but jumping around I just saw your post. OK, I'm a jeep guy rather but they all work the same.You don't see antifreeze in the floor because the heater core is inside a plastic tray. Keep reading. With the engine hot, divert the fan flow to the windshield, then turn the fan ON to the first speed only while taking a close look to the windshield vents. If you see a little smoke-sigarret-like-vapors coming out....most likely your heater core is worn out/cracked.. It is located behind the dash board on the passenger side and let me tell you, if you live in the cold areas you better get to work in it ASAP because you are gonna have to remove the dashboard to get to it and is no easy task. It happened to me in my Grand Cheroke.

 

Vanme: No smoke at all. I presume it is EXTERNAL fumes coming in the cowl. I had the timing chains and tensioners replaced a short time ago. Thinking I may have a small leak in engine compartment somewhere and smell is migrating into the cabin.

 

That usually means your heater core has a pin hole in it and a small amount of antifreeze is leaking in the HVAC box.

You usually don't get the smell from the engine compartment unless all the hood seals are bad or missing altogether then it can get sucked into the cab.

If you have a big hole in the firewall then that can happen

 

Thanks. I'll give it a good look.

 

I don't recommend any kind of radiator/heater core seal in a can that's bad crap... don't use it.

I have never had a heater core leak but have always wanted to know if bypassing the heater core and then poring that stuff just in the heater core would work but I think most need the heat to work.

That way you are not contaminating the rest of the engine and cooling system.

If not that would make a great product

 

That's how starts. You don't see any smoke/vapors, but like 98DAKAZ said, is probably a very small pin hole or crack. When it rains, with the windows all the way up, send the hot air to the windshield, if it gets fogy.....the heater core is bad. By the way, I'm going crazy trying to post in the Van Ram forum and I keep getting error message. Any help on that please, How can I contact admin?

 

thats how mine started and over the next few months it looked like my vents were smoking

the fluid will actually go out your vent for the ac you will see coolant under your truck there not the carpet as you would expect

I just did mine here are some tips take the front seat out this will give you the extra room you need

this is no fun task but doable if your temper starts getting to you walk away

I have been told by many use an oem core you wont regret it they are really suppose to last longer

this must be a weak point because now i have to do it on my 03 ram I think i will get good at this before winter hits