Antifreeze smell.... weird..

[410440]

Stinky Stinky Honda,


Ok, So my car (1991 Honda Accord) warms up fairly quickly, I will drive it for about 10 minutes to get the heat really going at the high temperatures, my problem is this. after about 10 minutes when everything is nice and warm, if you come to a stop light you can start to smell antifreeze coming through the vents, when you start driving it does away again, stop light back again.... drive gone... its weird, i was thinking heater core, but before i tear my dash all apart and rip out all of my custom work for audio, etc, i wanted to get some opinions as to possible causes.

Thanks for any responses.

[sputnik]

You probably need a new heater core and it is probably dripping into your vents.

However when you are driving forward you are mixing a lot more fresh air so it will seem a little less noticeable.

Fix it before it leaks to the point where you get a greasy film on your windows while you are trying to drive somewhere.

BTW - The accord heater core is a BITCH to replace. It is best having it done by a rad shop. Shouldn't cost more than $250.

[410440]

I have no problem replacing it myself, i have had the entire dash out several times... part of what i do for work anyway. I just want to make sure that it definently sounds like a heater core issue and not something else...(not sure what else it could be) but better to have a few opinions than just mine.

[Tik-Tok]

Where's the fresh air intake vents for your interior? If they're under the hood, it could be coming from your engine. An easy way to check would be to leave your vents on re-circulation. If the smell is still there, it's your heater core, if not, it's from the engine bay.

[410440]

Thats a good idea, i realy dont think its coming from the engine bay, since everything is less than 10 000 kms old with no leaks, new water pump, engine with all new seals etc, but ill check that too.

[Supa Dexta]

Does it seem to fog up a lot (more so, I know a lot of hondas are bad anyways)

[BlackArcher101]

Good way to check is using your defroster. If you use the window defroster and the heater core is in fact leaking, it will leave a film on your glass.

[walperstyle]

could just be an overflow can

if its not, then i'd look into replacing the thermoustat (should be under $30)

if that doenst do it, then look to the heatercore.


...be careful of giving advice on the internet guys, you dont want him doing the hardest thing first.

[410440]

thermostat has been done, what is this overflow can?

If your refering to the coolent reseviour (sp?) then no its not boiling over.

[walperstyle]

did you do a visual around frost plugs to make sure nothing is leaking and maybe burning on the exhaust?

[410440]

the only thing burning on my exaust is that stupid exaust paint from crappy tire... good for 750 Degrees Celsius... hahaha no. i havent ill check that tonight.

[whiskas]

Originally posted by 410440
the only thing burning on my exaust is that stupid exaust paint from crappy tire... good for 750 Degrees Celsius... hahaha no. i havent ill check that tonight.

BBQ paint FTW :thumbsup:

[410440]

Ok so upon further inspection and trial and error, the smell is getting stronger slowly as it seems to get colder. when the car is moving there is no smell, when the car is at a light or idling the smell is bad, but if i hit re-circulate the smell goes away, so this leads me away from the heater core.....


tommorow im going to crank it up on some jacks and look for something, does anyone know where the cabin air intake is on a 91 accord?

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by 410440

tommorow im going to crank it up on some jacks and look for something, does anyone know where the cabin air intake is on a 91 accord?

Generally speaking, on most cars it's right in front of your windshield, but under the hood.

[410440]

ahh ok, i know where it is now... hmmm now what the hell is burning into that?

[Supa Dexta]

because its not really getting any air movement there.. Ever notice how leaves will just sit there even on the highway... It's just sucking in fumes from under the hood.. But burning paint doesnt smell like anti freeze...

[85regal]

yeah i would suspect its something leaking under the hood, expecially since you smell it most when stopped. may not leave anything on the ground as it may be just burning off somewhere.

[410440]

I think i found the cause... leaky oil pan/oil cooler. It just doesnt smell like burining oil... oh well. gonna change the pan seal and oil cooler seal next weekend. hopefully that will get rid of the shitty smell.