Antifreeze smell inside car

swy81 · 10-26-2009, 02:45 PM

About a week ago, I noticed a faint odor coming from the vents of my wrx. Upon looking closer, I could see "smoke" coming from the vents even when the heater was not on. There was also the "oily" streaks on my windshield.

At this point, I'm almost definite there is an issue with the heater core. But, I'm just not sure how severe the issue is. There is no damp carpets from the leaking.

I've brought it to a couple of dealerships and they're looking at roughly $1200 to replace the heater core. The labor is what makes it so expensive. Needless to say, that is very pricey (car is out of warranty).

I've been reading about the radiator stop leak additive. As seeing as my problem could possibly be fixed with this, I've been itching to try it out. Would definitely be a better option than replacing the heater core.

Has anyone tried this out and how easy was the process?

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T_Racer69 · 10-26-2009, 02:51 PM

As much as it sucks, I for one am against radiator stop leak. Many others will chime in, but the premise of it just seems to leave a mess. I have heard of people using it and finding crud in the coolant passages, radiators, etc. that was a mess. It is a stop gap, but does seem to work for what it does. To me, it is a remake of putting pepper in the coolant(old car trick my grandfather told me about. Ask him how he knows that if a little is good, a lot is better.

)

Maybe see if someone in the area could help you change it out, and buy the part and DIY. Surely someone in the Subie community would help get it done for you.

Travis

swy81 · 10-26-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T_Racer69

As much as it sucks, I for one am against radiator stop leak. Many others will chime in, but the premise of it just seems to leave a mess. I have heard of people using it and finding crud in the coolant passages, radiators, etc. that was a mess. It is a stop gap, but does seem to work for what it does. To me, it is a remake of putting pepper in the coolant(old car trick my grandfather told me about. Ask him how he knows that if a little is good, a lot is better.

)

Maybe see if someone in the area could help you change it out, and buy the part and DIY. Surely someone in the Subie community would help get it done for you.

Travis

I'd probably blow up the car trying to do it myself.

T_Racer69 · 10-26-2009, 03:08 PM

I bet there are a lot of people in the Tri-state area that could help. But I understand, you may have to have someone fix it. I just don't like the rad stop leak, and am not really sure if it would work in the heater core. May try an independant shop as well, see if a good one is any less expensive.

Travis

BKscooby · 10-27-2009, 12:05 PM

I used the rad stop leak for few days, as I had no choice and had to get back home. Problems have been reported with it. Blocked heater core, blocked water pump. Well that is as far as for subies. After 2 days I flushed this crap out with destilled water 3 times, again with a radiator flush, and water again, and swore I'll never put that crap in my car again. Don't cheap out on a heater core. $1200? Is that what the stealership wanted to charge you. The heater core on the internet runs at about $180, it will take 4-5 hrs to install. Go figure. If it was motor than I would take it to the dealer, but any good mechanic can replace the heater core.

BKscooby · 10-27-2009, 12:07 PM

P.S. I did it myself, but would rather pay 400-500 bucks for the labor.

MENU · 10-27-2009, 12:40 PM

deff not a fun job

bryan_johnson · 10-28-2009, 12:53 AM

When I looked at what was involved, I got some quotes around town. The dealer actually came in the cheapest at about $600. Not sure if they lost money on the deal or not, but I think it was worth it.

BKscooby · 10-28-2009, 03:41 PM

if its 600 with parts installed, go at it.

sc_frontier · 10-28-2009, 07:05 PM

That stop leak stuff is temporary, and will ruin your coolant system. Find a local mechanic that will replace it for more like $300 labor.

recce02 · 10-28-2009, 08:16 PM

If you are mechanically inclined DIY is the way to go. It really isn't that difficult to take out the dash and get to the core housing. Just time consuming. There are a lot of screws and just a few nuts and bolts. take pics as you go along and then reverse the process.

ride5000 · 10-29-2009, 09:52 AM

before you do ANYTHING i'd make damned sure it IS the heater core.

i had a cracked upper radiator plastic endtank that would only squirt a tiny spray when the car was good and hot.

i've also had a leaky upper turbo coolant hose right at the reservoir hose clamp do the same thing.

in both cases i smelled coolant in the car.

were the "oily streaks" on the inside, or the outside of the windshield?

10-26-2009, 02:45 PM	#1
swy81 Scooby Newbie Member#: 37875 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NJ Vehicle: 02 WRX Silver	Antifreeze smell inside car About a week ago, I noticed a faint odor coming from the vents of my wrx. Upon looking closer, I could see "smoke" coming from the vents even when the heater was not on. There was also the "oily" streaks on my windshield. At this point, I'm almost definite there is an issue with the heater core. But, I'm just not sure how severe the issue is. There is no damp carpets from the leaking. I've brought it to a couple of dealerships and they're looking at roughly $1200 to replace the heater core. The labor is what makes it so expensive. Needless to say, that is very pricey (car is out of warranty). I've been reading about the radiator stop leak additive. As seeing as my problem could possibly be fixed with this, I've been itching to try it out. Would definitely be a better option than replacing the heater core. Has anyone tried this out and how easy was the process? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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10-26-2009, 02:51 PM	#2
T_Racer69 Scooby Specialist Member#: 188079 Join Date: Aug 2008 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Brunswick, GA Vehicle: 2003 Stg 2 Bug Wagon Sonic Yellow	As much as it sucks, I for one am against radiator stop leak. Many others will chime in, but the premise of it just seems to leave a mess. I have heard of people using it and finding crud in the coolant passages, radiators, etc. that was a mess. It is a stop gap, but does seem to work for what it does. To me, it is a remake of putting pepper in the coolant(old car trick my grandfather told me about. Ask him how he knows that if a little is good, a lot is better. ) Maybe see if someone in the area could help you change it out, and buy the part and DIY. Surely someone in the Subie community would help get it done for you. Travis

10-26-2009, 03:08 PM	#4
T_Racer69 Scooby Specialist Member#: 188079 Join Date: Aug 2008 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Brunswick, GA Vehicle: 2003 Stg 2 Bug Wagon Sonic Yellow	I bet there are a lot of people in the Tri-state area that could help. But I understand, you may have to have someone fix it. I just don't like the rad stop leak, and am not really sure if it would work in the heater core. May try an independant shop as well, see if a good one is any less expensive. Travis

10-27-2009, 12:05 PM	#5
BKscooby Scooby Newbie Member#: 163601 Join Date: Nov 2007 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Brooklyn. NY Vehicle: 2002 WRX PSM	I used the rad stop leak for few days, as I had no choice and had to get back home. Problems have been reported with it. Blocked heater core, blocked water pump. Well that is as far as for subies. After 2 days I flushed this crap out with destilled water 3 times, again with a radiator flush, and water again, and swore I'll never put that crap in my car again. Don't cheap out on a heater core. $1200? Is that what the stealership wanted to charge you. The heater core on the internet runs at about $180, it will take 4-5 hrs to install. Go figure. If it was motor than I would take it to the dealer, but any good mechanic can replace the heater core.

10-27-2009, 12:07 PM	#6
BKscooby Scooby Newbie Member#: 163601 Join Date: Nov 2007 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Brooklyn. NY Vehicle: 2002 WRX PSM	P.S. I did it myself, but would rather pay 400-500 bucks for the labor.

10-27-2009, 12:40 PM	#7
MENU Scooby Newbie Member#: 208002 Join Date: Apr 2009 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Neenah, Wi Vehicle: 2004 WRX Brack stage roflcopter	deff not a fun job

10-28-2009, 12:53 AM	#8
bryan_johnson Scooby Newbie Member#: 78987 Join Date: Jan 2005	When I looked at what was involved, I got some quotes around town. The dealer actually came in the cheapest at about $600. Not sure if they lost money on the deal or not, but I think it was worth it.

10-28-2009, 03:41 PM	#9
BKscooby Scooby Newbie Member#: 163601 Join Date: Nov 2007 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Brooklyn. NY Vehicle: 2002 WRX PSM	if its 600 with parts installed, go at it.

10-28-2009, 07:05 PM	#10
sc_frontier Scooby Newbie Member#: 227641 Join Date: Oct 2009 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: Sherman, Tx Vehicle: 2004 Wrx Silver	That stop leak stuff is temporary, and will ruin your coolant system. Find a local mechanic that will replace it for more like $300 labor.

10-28-2009, 08:16 PM	#11
recce02 Scooby Specialist Member#: 13815 Join Date: Jan 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Good ol Temecula Vehicle: 02 GCRally prepped Mods done now needs tune	If you are mechanically inclined DIY is the way to go. It really isn't that difficult to take out the dash and get to the core housing. Just time consuming. There are a lot of screws and just a few nuts and bolts. take pics as you go along and then reverse the process.

10-29-2009, 09:52 AM	#12
ride5000 Scooby Guru Member#: 32792 Join Date: Feb 2003 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: lincoln, ri Vehicle: 2003 GGA MBP 12.9 / 105+	before you do ANYTHING i'd make damned sure it IS the heater core. i had a cracked upper radiator plastic endtank that would only squirt a tiny spray when the car was good and hot. i've also had a leaky upper turbo coolant hose right at the reservoir hose clamp do the same thing. in both cases i smelled coolant in the car. were the "oily streaks" on the inside, or the outside of the windshield?