joes90gt

I replaced my heater core on my 90 GT myself. I wiped and vacuumed as much of the anti-freeze residue as I could out of the evaporator case.
After I got everything back together, I still smell anti-freeze when the heater is on. WTF??

Have any of you guys used that dye in your coolant to find leaks? I'm considering giving it a shot.
When I bought the heater core from Autozone, the box was open but it looked fine - no damage so what the hell. Not sure If it's leaking, but the low coolant light came on twice now and I'm finding no leaks. Carpet/floormats not wet either.

Is the dye worth it? If I have to tear into the dash again I'm gonna ****!

PRO50SC

Your first mistake was NOT buying one from Ford. It might just be some residual smell that may take a few days to get rid off.

joes90gt

I read too many bad things about the stock heater core failing. When I removed the old one it was rubbed right thru the side of the fins! Like it was rubbing agains the evaporator case.

The heater core from Autozone had the fins slightly below the endtanks. I felt that rubbing issue wouldn't be a problem again.
Replaced it about 3 weeks ago.....still smells like antifreeze when heat is on.
It's had the heater core disconnected for several years, so why would I still smell coolant?
The windows DO NOT fog up when the heat is turned on.
Anyhow, anyone tried the leak dye??

mjr46

when a heater core fails all that moist antifreeze condenses inside all the vents, just cleaning the case often is not sufficent as it has coated the inside of the vents if let go long enough

h2omelon

Did you have to remove the dash to replace it?Mine needs replacing and I was wondering how difficult it was to do.

mjr46

you remove the entire dash!!!, not hard just time consuming!!

PRO50SC

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/howto/...ent/index.html

joes90gt

Thanks for your reply mjr46-
Since I bought the car with the heater core bypassed I have no idea how long this was puking coolant all over.
Even though I wiped out the evaporator case I knew there was only so much I could reach.
From the sounds of it opf your reply, this smell is something that will not go away....bummer!

As far as replacing the heater core....It was not hard put VERY time consuming! The entire dash has to be removed and teh steering column has to be dropped, but not removed.
You also have to discharge your A/C system and disconnect a few A/C/ lines so you can pull the evaporator case away from the firewall to gain access to the heater core.
I haven't recharged the A/C yet.
Considering how bad my heater core was, I think I'll be installing new carpet soon!

mjr46

give it sometime, It'll go away!! spray some deoderizer in the vents the best you can and that'll help in the short term

Timspony

the smell will last for a while...I'm about to change my daughter's in the next few weeks, 91 GT, best to get the heater core form Ford??