[DJ_SLY]

recently I'm noticing a smell when using the heat in my 95 GL.
it kinda smell like someting sweet, burnt sugar like, causing a slight disconfort, like dissiness. and I don't think it's the rad fluid. it is still full.
taurus 95 GL V6 3L 220K

 

[Guest]

Sweet smell is coolant. It may be just a pinhole leak or something. Not enough to cause a noticable reduction in the rad, but enough to make the smell noticable.

 

[WillieSHOMe]

I agree with Bob. It could be a very small pin hole leak in the heater core. And the way you described the smell, is deffinatly anti-freeze. And it will make you dizzy or headache. When you turn on the defrost it probably fogs up the winshield, right? Also since it just started and since its not a big leak. You haven't noticed any on the ground, right. What fluid you do lose will be replaced by the overflow container till that runs out. Get it checked out and fixed.

 

[green]

is the smell more noticeble at a stop, and goes away when moving? if so you may only have a bad pressure cap on the resevore tank. this tank is close to front cawl air intake. this cap not holding pressure will not cause big loss of fluid, but over time the air getting into the cooling system will cause system to rust, and clog things up. check for strong antifreeze smell around the resevore tank after the car has ben fully warmed up. If there is no antifreeze smell at the tank or anyware under the hood then its most likely a leaky heater core.

I just realized your car is a gen 2 the above advise is mostly for gen 3 and 4 that have a pressurized tank

 

[sixfofalcon]

Cheapest fix=flush entire coolant system, including heater core, refill system, add Bar's brand leak sealer according to instructions (in my experience, it's the only one that works well.)

That might get you by for a few months or so. It is by no means a permanent solution. Eventually, you will have to replace the heater core, but it is a real pain to get to.

 

[DJ_SLY]

Originally posted by WillieSHOme@Dec 20 2003, 08:25 AM
I agree with Bob. It could be a very small pin hole leak in the heater core. And the way you described the smell, is deffinatly anti-freeze. And it will make you dizzy or headache. When you turn on the defrost it probably fogs up the winshield, right? Also since it just started and since its not a big leak. You haven't noticed any on the ground, right. What fluid you do lose will be replaced by the overflow container till that runs out. Get it checked out and fixed.

no it does not fog up the windows... and I just did a rad flush 5 days ago... I think something when wrong... I was told to use some kind of stuff to put in the rad and a "powder" would show up where the leak is I've checked again and the reservoir is still full. I think I will buy & use a 12V heathing devices for now. (but the temperature gauge is staying more in the middle now , and the fan bearly run now so I guess it's a good sign)

 

[mikehawk]

Originally posted by SixFoFalcon@Dec 20 2003, 01:37 PM
Cheapest fix=flush entire coolant system, including heater core, refill system, add Bar's brand leak sealer according to instructions (in my experience, it's the only one that works well.)

That might get you by for a few months or so. It is by no means a permanent solution. Eventually, you will have to replace the heater core, but it is a real pain to get to.

NNOOO!!!

Bars works TOO WELL. I used it on a small leak, and ended up with sludge throughout my coolant system. I had a couple inches of mud(Bars crap) in the bottom of my resevoir, and it even chewed up the impellers on my water pump, and screwed up my coolant level sensor. So I had to replace the water pump, remove resevoir for a thorough flush and cleaning, and power flush my radiator, as well as a regular flush for the rest of the cooling system.

Bars also ruined my friends radiator in his hoopty cadillac.

 

[sixfofalcon]

I've never had problems with Bar's. Did you exceed the dosage? How long did you leave it in the system before flushing again?

 

[mikehawk]

I only used 1 bottle, and I don't remember how long I left it in because it happened so long ago. All I know is that stuff will plug leaks as well as regular coolant passages. It's too good at what is was designed for.

 

[DJ_SLY]

Originally posted by green@Dec 20 2003, 01:30 PM
is the smell more noticeble at a stop, and goes away when moving? if so you may only have a bad pressure cap on the resevore tank. this tank is close to front cawl air intake. this cap not holding pressure will not cause big loss of fluid, but over time the air getting into the cooling system will cause system to rust, and clog things up. check for strong antifreeze smell around the resevore tank after the car has ben fully warmed up. If there is no antifreeze smell at the tank or anyware under the hood then its most likely a leaky heater core.

I just realized your car is a gen 2 the above advise is mostly for gen 3 and 4 that have a pressurized tank

yes you are right! when I stop I smell it more, when I'm on the go no.
and I noticed also when only using the winsheild defrost it don't smell anything (beside stop & go) but when using "Mixed & Floor & vent" yes it does smell bad... but not on the winsheild defrost... I'm puzzled

(btw Bob do you have relative in Ottawa? I know a Bob Gervais from Gervais Electronics!)