My pickup keeps using a little bit of antifreeze and I can smell antifreeze inside the cab when I drive it, any ideas on where it might be leakin! Its a 1996 dodge 1/2 ton auto trans with overdrive, towing package 5.9 engine.

Please and thank you.

Rob

http://www.1969supersport.com

 

Heater core.

 

X2. It's your heater core. There's a write-up in the DIY about changing it.

 

Thanks men that was a quick response, I'll do the search, but another question, if it was the heater core would the carpeting get wet or would I be able to see a drip someplace, thanks again.

Rob

http://www.1969supersport.com

 

Sometimes. It could also be dripping out where the A/C condenser drains on the passenger side of the cabin.

Here's your start: https://dodgeforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117182

 

Heater core and not necessarily.

 

Several responses allready, you guys are great.

So if its not necessarily the heater core what else could it be.


I let it set for a month and changed the oil and watched for any water in it, like maybe a head gasket.

I was talking to a guy with a 2001 ram with the 5.9 and he said it might be a seal or valve underneath the timing cover and you also have to pull the oil pan to get at it.

The heater core would be easier to change I would think then the seal or valve the guy I talked to mentioned.

Should I get the wallet out and get it pressure checked first, or isn't it worth it.

Rob

http://www.1969supersport.com

 

I think Aubrey meant that it won't necessarily leak inside of the passenger cabin. Mine had pinholes in it and I could smell antifreeze often, but there was never any sign of leakage.

I don't know where that guy got his information, but IMHO the smell of coolant in the cabin means the heater core is going. Be advised: Set aside a Saturday afternoon for this job and completely read the DIY on it. This is very cumbersome the first time you do it. A shop will charge upwards of $800 for this repair because the entire dash must be removed.

 

The guy with the 2001 ram lives about two blocks from me, he said he could smell it for a long time and they really hunted hard trying to find the leak, he had to keep adding antifreeze.

Then his son in law used it to haul a car on a trailer and the seal or valve let loose and sprayed antifreeze around.

Listening to you guys, it sounds like the heater core, thanks again, you guys are great.

Rob

http://www.1969supersport.com

 

OK, now I understand. I'm betting his coolant level was always low and they smelled it outside of the truck versus your smelling it in the cabin. Very different animals, but nevertheless very frustrating.