issue Antifreeze smell in cab

pm26 · January 22, 2014

My 2014 Silverado was diagnosed at 1300 miles with a leaking heater coil. I had to have it replaced under warranty and yes they had to take the dash completely apart. I was told that the failure was due to a manufacturing flaw on a crimp fitting on the heater core. Truck seems to be fine now except for a lingering anti freeze smell at times. Hoping the smell will subside over time. Sounds like GM needs to have their supplier come up with a new design.

More accurately, it is due to manufacturing these parts in Mexico and China and marginal to non-existent quality control. It is high time to start manufacturing parts here in the US.

pm26 · January 22, 2014

You're delusional if you think that other makes or models don't suffer from manufacturing defects. The sky is not falling.

Think of all these failures as job security for GM dealer service personnel.

pm26 · January 22, 2014

Here is an update on my heater core problem. Drove my 2014 Sierra 300 miles to the nearest GMC dealer, roll of paper towels to keep windshield clear enough to see through. Drivers side window open about 3 inches at 20 below zero so I could breath fresh air. Called a week before I made the trip, to make sure they had a heater core in stock and was told they did. Dropped the truck off at the dealer, they then told me no heater core in stock and had to order it. It took five days to fix the truck. On the positive side, it looks like they fixed the problem. I am a long time GM customer, but I may be changing my mind. I asked about the exhaust fire recall and they told me they had no word from GM on that recall as of Jan 15.

A roll of paper towels to keep windshield clear to see through? That's it! The solution to the heater core issue! Be sure to forward this suggestion to GM. A year supply of paper towels to every truck owner with this problem.

JAF1 · January 22, 2014

That's one of your funniest posts to date. GM uses BAR stop leak in their new heater cores? I suppose they also use Motomedic and Slick50 in the engine oil and Transmission Doctor in the transmission before the trucks leave the factory?

Not a joke. EVERY manufacturer uses two tablets of BAR stop leak in all new vehicles. This has been a standard practice for many years.

pm26 · January 22, 2014

Not a joke. EVERY manufacturer uses two tablets of BAR stop leak in all new vehicles. This has been a standard practice for many years.

Well, it looks like GM needs to increase the dosage to at least 15 tablets with these heater cores.

tanked_darren · January 23, 2014

My 2014 Silverado was diagnosed at 1300 miles with a leaking heater coil. I had to have it replaced under warranty and yes they had to take the dash completely apart. I was told that the failure was due to a manufacturing flaw on a crimp fitting on the heater core. Truck seems to be fine now except for a lingering anti freeze smell at times. Hoping the smell will subside over time. Sounds like GM needs to have their supplier come up with a new design.More accurately, it is due to manufacturing these parts in Mexico and China and marginal to non-existent quality control. It is high time to start manufacturing parts here in the US.

yep tag on another few thousand dollars too. The reason all the jobs are outside the US is because its cheaper. The consumer wants cheaper.

Sent from my Motorola DynaTAC using Tapatalk

mzodarg · January 23, 2014

yep tag on another few thousand dollars too. The reason all the jobs are outside the US is because its cheaper. The consumer wants cheaper. Sent from my Motorola DynaTAC using Tapatalk

Yeah that and don't forget to mention corporate greed!

thewhitestallion · January 23, 2014

I am looking at getting a 2014 but they seem to be having issuies.

Fuel pumps, sliding rear glass, heater core leaking, and don't forget the big one where your truck could catch on fire. Is is all within about six months of production. Makes you wonder what will be happening in a year. I am a GM fan but they have stumbled on these new trucks.

it's the first year run, it is to be expected for the most part. my mom bought an 06 Avalon back in 05 and less than a month later it was on a tow truck headed back to the dealer due to a faulty oil cooler line (ended up being a recall). no manufacturer make a perfect car with 0 issues around the world on the first year run. I am sure GM did a lo of R&D on these trucks but real world driving is the only reall way to test vehicles.

sasksierra · January 26, 2014

Well I finally got rid of the anti-freeze spell. After 4 days in the shop I finally got my truck back. They replaced the heater core and the noisy heater motor. The service manager showed me the one they removed and you could see a stain running down the core. I have owned the truck since Oct and am finally rid of that spell and have that new truck smell back. Amen!! Plus after two trips back to the wheel alignment machine it no longer pulls to the left. Now I am hoping I will enjoy driving this thing.

GMCustomerService · January 27, 2014

Hello sasksierra,

I'm very happy to hear you're back in your truck, and that the dealer was able to take care of the smell and pulling! Be sure to keep us posted if anything changes.

Kind Regards,

Jonathan A.
GM Customer Care

14ltz71 · February 1, 2014

Hello sasksierra,

I'm very happy to hear you're back in your truck, and that the dealer was able to take care of the smell and pulling! Be sure to keep us posted if anything changes.

Kind Regards,

Jonathan A.

GM Customer Care

Not for nothing man, you guy's do alot of "looking into" these issues but never offer a real public explanation. My truck (1198 miles) currently has this issue, along with the drivers seat movement issue. When i first picked it up, it had the window fogging issue. I brushed it off. Next day, a mechanic friend gets in and the first words from his mouth are "dex cool".

I cant wait until the 12th when the dealer says "can not duplicate" or "advised customer this is normal operation".

What i would like too know is- are their any bulletins that dealers can reference just to help substantiate my complaint as one that is not an isolated incident?

Is their an updated part for the heater core, or will mine be replaced with another defective part?

morley8065 · February 2, 2014

Know for a fact gm sent all heater cores back to the supplier for "quality" issues..there is documented cases now that gm has that shows no drop in pressure but cores are leaking and bad..

MotoMedic · February 2, 2014

That's one of your funniest posts to date. GM uses BAR stop leak in their new heater cores? I suppose they also use Motomedic and Slick50 in the engine oil and Transmission Doctor in the transmission before the trucks leave the factory?

Say wha???

GMCustomerService · February 3, 2014

Not for nothing man, you guy's do alot of "looking into" these issues but never offer a real public explanation. My truck (1198 miles) currently has this issue, along with the drivers seat movement issue. When i first picked it up, it had the window fogging issue. I brushed it off. Next day, a mechanic friend gets in and the first words from his mouth are "dex cool".

I cant wait until the 12th when the dealer says "can not duplicate" or "advised customer this is normal operation".

What i would like too know is- are their any bulletins that dealers can reference just to help substantiate my complaint as one that is not an isolated incident?

Is their an updated part for the heater core, or will mine be replaced with another defective part?

Hello 14ltz71,

As we are not certified technicians we are unable to offer technical advice or diagnose vehicles over the forum. If you would like to private message me your name, contact information, VIN, current mileage, and involved dealership we would be happy to work with your dealership in order to get your concerns resolved. Please let us know if this is something you would like us to do for you.

Sincerely,

Jonathan A.

GM Customer Care