so there I was, driving along in my truck minding my own business when all of a sudden...

White smoke came billowing out the vents

Smells like antifreeze burning and my guess would be the heater core. I've already scoped out the DIY on the topic and seems easy enough (famous last words I know). I'd just like someone to tell me yes, its the heater core before I take the project head on.

 

if its comming out of the vents, i think thats all it could be, but it would be more like steam.. not smoke. smoke would mean its mixing with something and burning

 

yeah sorry. it is more like steam. What really threw me though is I see/feel no wetness on the floor?

thanks for the fast reply!!!!

 

It's the heater core ... no doubt ... though mine dripped coolant out of the lower vent, down the hump and onto the passenger side floor.

 

does it **** off anyone besides me that a 2000 truck that's only 8-9 years old has a rotted and/or leaking heater core ? those should last 20 years or more. it wouldn't be so bad if it was accessible and easy to change, but dammit, its buried in the bottom of the dash...

 

yeah my 2000 did the same thing, damn dodge

 

Typically when heater cores go bad they do one of two things:

1) Leak antifreeze out onto your floor boards.
2) Leak antifreeze in steam form out and onto your headliner and windows

Or if your really lucky then you get both at once!

I agree also that it is your heater core. If you need more re-assurance then just feel your headliner. It should not only be moist, but almost greasy or slimy (antifreeze).

Its seems to be a case by case basis for whether the heater core change is hard or not. I personally didn't have too many problems with it but others on here have had some problems.

 

sounds like the heater core to me also. they are not that hard to do but if you are going to do it, I would do the evap canaster also inside the dash for the a/c. because once you put it back together sure enough the a/c will go out and you will be pulling that dash back out. Sucks to have to do the job over in less that a month Dam I was pissed. Oh yeah also make sure you watch what vaccume lines you take off and put them back on the rite spot or your defrost will become heat and the heat will be the floor and so on and so on....

 

Ditto. Sounds like a heater core.