What's that smell?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 764
Likes: 0
What's that smell?
I was getting a coolant odor (strong) in the cab. It didn't take long to realize that my heater core had a small leak. I
knew it was small because in feeling around, I couldn't find any wetness. I'm not a bad mechanic under the hood but
have never messed under the dash. My question is, should I do it myself or is this one of those repairs for the pros?
If anyone out there has accomplished replacing a heater core, is there anything I should know? In the meantime, I have
bypassed the core for now and things are smelling ok again. Thanks in advance for any input.
knew it was small because in feeling around, I couldn't find any wetness. I'm not a bad mechanic under the hood but
have never messed under the dash. My question is, should I do it myself or is this one of those repairs for the pros?
If anyone out there has accomplished replacing a heater core, is there anything I should know? In the meantime, I have
bypassed the core for now and things are smelling ok again. Thanks in advance for any input.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,597
Likes: 237
From: Bartlett Illinois
Re: What's that smell? (BILL RUPP)
Mine is also an '89. Any other parts needed beside the core? Any special tools? Do you go in from driver or passenger side?
If you don't have a GM Shop manual .. GET ONE. It will help, http://www.helminc.com should have them.
I got mine out on the Passenger side. I removed the Seat for more room and I also heard that the 'breadloaf' may be a Pain In The Butt to remove but will help (I swapped the Breadloaf 5 years ago, and cannot remember how tough it was)
Don't rush and take your time and you should have no problems
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,620
Likes: 2
From: Hillsboro OR
Re: What's that smell? (-=Jeff=-)
Test the new heater core for leaks before you intstall it. My friend got one for his GTO that leaked. Fortunately he found it before he put the rest of the car together.
