Strong Antifreeze Smell

[GWOTRGR]

About two weeks ago I noticed the heat wasn’t blowing as hot as it normally does. I thought to myself, I guess the heater’s going out. Yesterday, steam started existing out the dash windshield defrost vents causing a large area of condensation build up on the inside of the windshield. Turned the AC on and it starting blowing out the AC vents. And there’s a strong smell of antifreeze inside the cab.

What’s broke and how do I fix it?

 

[crash68]

Sounds like the heater core is leaking and the dashboard needs to come out to replace it.

 

[HEMIMANN]

I've been getting a whiff from the engine bay here and there, no drips on the floor. Oh, boy. Known heater core plugging issue.

Well I guess it's cheaper than a new truck. *sigh*

 

[olyelr]

I've been getting a whiff from the engine bay here and there, no drips on the floor. Oh, boy. Known heater core plugging issue.

Well I guess it's cheaper than a new truck. *sigh*

I had that minor/periodic antifreeze smell since my truck was brand new. 8+ years later and 120k miles i still get it once in a while. Never been low on coolant, never added any, and its never been changed.

 

[GWOTRGR]

I had that minor/periodic antifreeze smell since my truck was brand new. 8+ years later and 120k miles i still get it once in a while. Never been low on coolant, never added any, and its never been changed.

Just got home from work. Blowing steam/smoke out all the vents and went up to 251 degrees a couple times.

 

[olyelr]

Just got home from work. Blowing steam/smoke out all the vents and went up to 251 degrees a couple times.

yea you are going through coolant somewhere and its probably super low. Definitely dont be driving it like that and overheating it.

 

[GWOTRGR]

yea you are going through coolant somewhere and its probably super low. Definitely dont be driving it like that and overheating it.

Yeah, going into the shop first thing in the morning. Any idea what this is going to cost assuming it’s the heater core?

 

[GTyankee]

If you can do without the HVAC until you can fix it.

Remove the whole Air Filter Box ,
( There are YouTube Videos about it, it is very simple to do )

Under the Air Filter box, you will see 2 Heater Hoses.
I would install a U shaped Plumbing Fixture on those hoses, or something similar.
That would keep the Coolant out of the Cab

IF , you do use Needle Nose Vise Grips, like the mechanic is using.
Slip a couple of short pieces of Hose over the metal grips

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[GTyankee]

IGNORE my post above :

When the mechanic has the HVAC Box out of the Ram ..
Make sure that they check 4 or 5 Doors & Actuators, before they re-install the HVAC Box

The Doors inside the box are :
1 Recirculation Door & Actuator ...
at least 1 BLEND Door & Actuator(s) ..
2 MODE Doors & Actuators

the actuators are mounted externally
The DOORS are inside of the HVAC Box, they can be checked Electronically or Manually
The broken Doors are only accessible, when the HVAC Box is outside of the truck
The Box would have to be OPENED UP, in other words, it would have to be split into 2 or more sections

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[GWOTRGR]

If you can do without the HVAC until you can fix it.

Remove the whole Air Filter Box ,
( There are YouTube Videos about it, it is very simple to do )

Under the Air Filter box, you will see 2 Heater Hoses.
I would install a U shaped Plumbing Fixture on those hoses, or something similar.
That would keep the Coolant out of the Cab

IF , you do use Needle Nose Vise Grips, like the mechanic is using.
Slip a couple of short pieces of Hose over the metal grips

2015 Ram truck 3 way coolant valve removal and replacement

Please use the following link when ever using Amazon.com. Any purchases you make on Amazon will help support this channel.http://amzn.to/2mALgqSFeel the need...

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HVAC or no HVAC it’s still blowing steam excessively through all vents and running hot. I was told the heater core is behind the dash and it’s a pain to get to?

 

[GTyankee]

The HVAC Box must come out to replace the HEATER CORE

When the mechanic pulls out the HVAC BOX

RE-READ my POST # 9 before you have him do the work

IF the Doors are broken , the Mechanic MUST FIX any Broken doors when he fixes the Heater Core

 

[GWOTRGR]

The HVAC Box must come out to replace the HEATER CORE

When the mechanic pulls out the HVAC BOX

RE-READ my POST # 9 before you have him do the work

IF the Doors are broken , the Mechanic MUST FIX the doors when he fixes the Heater Core

Thank you

 

[crazy jerry]

I've been getting a whiff from the engine bay here and there,

theres a small hose on the fill tank that lets off vapors. you can rest easy now

 

[HEMIMANN]

theres a small hose on the fill tank that lets off vapors. you can rest easy now

Isn't there an overflow vent tube on all bottles? This is the only motor I smell it on. And yet, the coolant level in the bottle is constant. Ah, well.

 

[crazy jerry]

Isn't there an overflow vent tube on all bottles? This is the only motor I smell it on. And yet, the coolant level in the bottle is constant. Ah, well.

im not sure about all other vehicles. all i know is my engine bay has the coolant smell but ive not had to add a drop in 7yrs. im sure the bottle has a 2way cap that lets off vaper when it heats and builds pressure

 

[olyelr]

im not sure about all other vehicles. all i know is my engine bay has the coolant smell but ive not had to add a drop in 7yrs. im sure the bottle has a 2way cap that lets off vaper when it heats and builds pressure

As does any vehicle, i would think. But i agree, mine has smelled like antifreeze on and off since brand new…never seen a drop, never added any, never been low…has 118k miles. Going on 9 years with the old girl

 

[GTyankee]

The OVER FLOW hose & Tank are Not Sealed
Like the Radiator & HVAC Hoses are
When the pressure builds up, the radiator cap relieves the pressure & a small amount of coolant goes into over flow tank.
That allows the smell of coolant to escape

 

[HEMIMANN]

The OVER FLOW hose & Tank are Not Sealed
Like the Radiator & HVAC Hoses are
When the pressure builds up, the radiator cap relieves the pressure & a small amount of coolant goes into over flow tank.
That allows the smell of coolant to escape

Yes, so why is this the only engine I smell coolant from?

 

[crazy jerry]

The OVER FLOW hose & Tank are Not Sealed
Like the Radiator & HVAC Hoses are
When the pressure builds up, the radiator cap relieves the pressure & a small amount of coolant goes into over flow tank.
That allows the smell of coolant to escape

im not sure what your rambling on about but these trucks have no over flow tank. atleast the 6.4 doesnt. its just a expansion tank and is part of the sealed system. perhaps your refering to some other truck with some other engine.
and yes other vehicles can and do give off coolant smell. my car does it also. we may not always be paying attention or notice it though

 

[crazy jerry]

and another thing regarding older vehicles (typically). the tank ,expansion or over flow, how ever you want to refer to it , serves the exact same purpose as the sealed tank , the older style just isnt part of the sealed system. its main disadvantage is it suffers from coolant loss through evaporation over time