I have a '96 2500 series 4x4 w/a 360 engine. As posted earlier I have a suddle coolant smell on the inside of the vehicle only, not outside. Leaves me to believe it's the heater core. If it is a bad heater core in the beginning stages (no wetness on carpet), is it something that gradually gets worse or will it just blow coolant at once? I hate to have it replaced when I'm not going through any noticeable coolant and my mechanic can't find any leaks. Any suggestions??

Also my steering wheel pulls out about an eighth of an inch, and I seldomly have to push it back forward. I thought it needed to be tightened, so my buddy pulled the steering wheel, but can't find where the play is. It seems to be deep in the dash or firewall, but not any play in the gear box. It's been doing it for a while, but was wondering if anyone else has experienced this dumb little problem.

 

The heater core will slowly go bad, its coroding away slowly. One day it'll start to leak noticably.

What kind of coolant do you have in there? The GM Dex-Cool stuff is no good in these...eats away at them. In my opinion all the premixed crap is garbage. Get some straight up Etholyne Glycol (green stuff) mix it 50/50.

 

It's got the green stuff in it. I do use it for snow plowing so I do question myself if I should replace it now at such an early stage (if it is the heater core.) Does working the truck such as plowing put more wear on the heater core as opposed to normal driving? Also does the heater temp have any effect on the heater core? (having the vent on full hot, off, or warm?)

 

I wouldn't think plowing would have much effect on it. The trucks working harder, so the thermo is probably onpn alot more. All that does it sirculate more coolant [sm=confused06.gif]

And for the vent question, I wouldn't think that has any effect either. Coolant is flowing through it regardless what the blower setting is on. But I'm not 100% on any of there

 

your steering play might be coming from the little ujoint in the shaft in the engine bay or where it bolts up to the steering box... worht a shot to see if its there or not...have someone yank backand forth on the wheel when your peekin in the engine bay to see where the loos-sisity is.. you like that word? im patenting that one!

 

Yeah, unfortunately no show of play under the hood. It seems like it is deep in the dashboard or firewall before the engine compartment?!?!?!?

 

the shaft may have some kind of slide to it in the event of a wreck you dont have a grill-full of leather stearing wheel... thinking of the amount of work tearing down the dash... id say no worries... only if there isnt any appearent stearing issues.. and minaly you already had the wheel off to tighten it and its snugged down.. look under the recalls/tsb's and see if anything pops up for steering or your yearmakemodel.. worht a shot