just yesterday it happened. smoke was coming from my heater vents above my dashpad. i had it on defrost earlier in the evening and it fogged up my windshield, so i cleaned it off and on my cloth was a dark substance. so i put it on vent and the smoke blew strongly out of the heater vents. it smelt like anitfreeze. is this a problem? if so, whats wrong? heater core perhaps??

thanks

daniel

 

that's a pretty good indicator of a blown heater core

 

I'd say the heater core is probably leaking. Have you had any overheating problems lately? Antifreeze should NOT come out as smoke unless it is very very hot. The black substance is probably dirt and dust from inside the vents that the vapor picked up.

 

i havent had any over heating problems as of late. i noticed my overflow tank was empty, but that has happened on a regular basis since ive owned the car(4 yrs). the temp guage is broken, there isnt a place to put the fuse. but ive never seen smoke coming from the engine compartment so i have no reason to think its overheating, and i cant smell any antifreeze when i drive.

when the heater core is leaking, does that mean i need to replace it. since im currently a student, funds are scarce and from what ive read, the whole dash needs to be removed to get to the thing. is that accurate? whats the labor rate for the removal and install? and whats a new core cost?

thanks

daniel

 

If the heater core is leaking it will likely get worse over time.

If you like stinking of coolant then no... you don't have to fix it.

Seeing as you're in Cali you may not have much use for the heater anyway... unless it gets humid like here in Florida. If you can't afford to fix it then I would go buy two pipe plugs that fit into the holes on the intake and waterpump where the heater hoses start... problem solved... sort of

 

my new core cost me 25 bucks. you don't have to take apart the whole dash but it is easier if you pull the pad and loosen the passenger side and pull it away a little bit to get to the top bolt on the heater box. if i remember right the bolt size was a 7mm or 8mm? be very careful putting the core back in as you will have to push the tubes back thru the holes you pulled it from and may bend or break them. the connections are behind the passenger side valve cover and very much of a pan to get to. it's not hard to do, just give yourself lots of time (3 or 4 hours) if you've nevr done a heater core. good luck.

 

I really don't like the smoke thing, but I'd check the wiring to your temp sensor in the drivers side head and bypass the core. Then see what happens from there.

 

It cost me $700 to get mine changed from the dealer It turned out to be a good thing in the long run, because it got me into doing my own repairs and savving lots of money. Plus I enjoy it(usually)