burning/sweet smell from heater

[ava1219]

I was just on my way home and noticed when i turned my heater on there was this burning/sweet smell comming from the vents. it didnt throw any codes and the engine was not over heated. it was around the 160-190 degree range. got home popped the hood and nothing seemed to be wrong. what could this be caused from and could this be dangerous?

[ava1219]

Re: burning/sweet smell from heater

btw im a little overdue for an oil change...i never heard that it could cause this but who knows..

[Rob Bell]

Re: burning/sweet smell from heater

Usually that means you have a leaky heater core. If your windows start fogging up or you get coolant on your carpet that will confirm the leaky heater core.

[ava1219]

Re: burning/sweet smell from heater

how could i solve this, if this is the issue? and i recently installed a 160 degree thermo around a month ago. could this have anything to do with it?

[ava1219]

Re: burning/sweet smell from heater

im hopeing there isnt a problem and just a smell from outside blew into my heater.

[nascar24jd]

Re: burning/sweet smell from heater

Check your passenger side carpet. If it is getting wet then the heater core is on its way out.

[speedyx14]

Re: burning/sweet smell from heater

how could i solve this, if this is the issue? and i recently installed a 160 degree thermo around a month ago. could this have anything to do with it?

If you find that it's a leak and can't fix it now, you could put some radiator stop leak in there. http://www.crcindustries.com/auto/co...?PN=401210&S=N
Most purists are against this, but if your in a jam it can definitely get the job done. Sometimes temporarily and sometimes permanently.

[ava1219]

Re: burning/sweet smell from heater

thanks guys

[ava1219]

Re: burning/sweet smell from heater

if my passenger side carpet isn't wet, does that mean theres no problem?

[nascar24jd]

Re: burning/sweet smell from heater

If you find that it's a leak and can't fix it now, you could put some radiator stop leak in there. http://www.crcindustries.com/auto/co...?PN=401210&S=N
Most purists are against this, but if your in a jam it can definitely get the job done. Sometimes temporarily and sometimes permanently.

Do not use Stop Leak. It will clog things that you do not want clogged. Just fix the problem

if my passenger side carpet isn't wet, does that mean theres no problem?

If your heater core has a tiny leak that just started it might not be enough to wet the carpet. Keep checking it. Maybe it was an outside odor like you mentioned earlier. You just need to keep an eye on two things here.
#1 - Are you losing coolant?
#2 - Is the carpet wet?

[ava1219]

Re: burning/sweet smell from heater

Do not use Stop Leak. It will clog things that you do not want clogged. Just fix the problem



If your heater core has a tiny leak that just started it might not be enough to wet the carpet. Keep checking it. Maybe it was an outside odor like you mentioned earlier. You just need to keep an eye on two things here.
#1 - Are you losing coolant?
#2 - Is the carpet wet?

I didn't check if im loosing coolant yet but i did check the carpet and it is not wet. i started the car and turned on the heater and i still smell it but its alot less strong than it was before. tommorow i will have to check the coolant.

[ava1219]

Re: burning/sweet smell from heater

its really cold out right now and getting dark so i will check the coolant tommorow.

[tmon930]

Re: burning/sweet smell from heater

Do Not Put F*cking Stop Leak In Your Coolant!! Your Car Will Hate You!! I Will Hate You!! Purists My ***!! Your Radiator And Hoses Will Be F*cked!

[nascar24jd]

Re: burning/sweet smell from heater

It sounds like you have a leak somewhere. If your coolant level has dropped at all then you need to find the leak.

[cam98aro]

Re: burning/sweet smell from heater

Do Not Put F*cking Stop Leak In Your Coolant!! Your Car Will Hate You!! I Will Hate You!! Purists My ***!! Your Radiator And Hoses Will Be F*cked!

my friends dealership used to put pepper in peoples rads when they came in with leaks.. no joke