Hey I'm Mike, new member from Minnesota. Drive a 2004 Neon ES

So, basically, I'm wondering if my heater core is going bad or if it's a different issue. Recently, when I use my defrost in front, it doesn't work and I can smell coolant. Heat/Air work otherwise on all other settings, and no smell of antifreeze. Car has 124k miles, the 4 cylinder engine, and this is the first issue I've run into since I bought it last year (besides a small oil leak but whatever, I got the car for cheap).

So I'm really wondering, should I just bypass my heater core for the moment? I'm not losing coolant at all/minimally when i try to defrost and get that sweet smell and grease on the windshield. I dont have the means to do a heater core flush at the moment, nor the tools/time to replace it, so came here for advice. Thank you!

 

Minnesota? Are you really done with winter yet?

If you can smell coolant IN the car, then yeah, likely the heater core is leakin'. Check the passenger side floorboard, see if its wet.

Welcome to DF!

 

Welcome!

 

Passenger side floor board isn't wet. I'm wondering maybe a heater core flush? See if it's clogged?

 

I'm actually wondering as well, in a 2004 Neon, does the heater core always have coolant running through it? Like if I turn off my heat, will the heater core not be engaged?

 

I would definitely replace the heater core if you are smelling coolent inside the car.