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Thread: Coolant smell when i turn the heat on... Time for a new heater core?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
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    34

    Default Coolant smell when i turn the heat on... Time for a new heater core?

    Seems like when i turn the heater on i get a faint smell of coolant in the cabin.. The heat is definitely working but it's not as hot as i'd expect though. I'm not sure how hot it's supposed to be but I figure the smell of coolant has something to do with the issue.. Someone please tell me this is just a heater core issue and not something worse

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
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    ya, coolant smell = suspect heater core.


    Quote Originally Posted by Alexlind123
    You're my hero.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
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    damnit

    From what i'm reading thats quite the hefty project.. thank god spring is here, that will wait for next winter!!

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by Five35
    .. Someone please tell me this is just a heater core issue and not something worse
    "just a heater core" ??? Guess you dont mind taking apart your puzzle of a dash to replace it

    A possible & inexp solution is to just replace the thermostat, and flush it out. I had to do that a few months ago and my heat works fine now and I only get the smell from time to time.
    1993 525i 151k miles


  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Five35
    damnit

    From what i'm reading thats quite the hefty project.. thank god spring is here, that will wait for next winter!!

    there are a few write ups floating around here, a quick search will get them. PITA, but straight forward... takes between 6-8 hours. make sure to have beer on hand.


    Quote Originally Posted by Alexlind123
    You're my hero.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Long Island NY
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    Quote Originally Posted by Five35
    .. Someone please tell me this is just a heater core issue and not something worse
    "just a heater core" ??? Guess you dont mind taking apart your puzzle of a dash to replace it

    A possible, inexpensive and maybe a temporary solution is to just replace the thermostat, and flush it out. I had to do that a few months ago and my heat works fine now and I only get the smell from time to time. good luck
    1993 525i 151k miles


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Montreal
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    If you added coolant recently and dropped a bit on the engine, or anywhere, you might get that for a bit. I did. If it doesn't go away after one or two weeks...

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