Coolant in Heater Core

[willfxp]

When I turn heater, there is a slight smell of radiator fluid. I've also noticed the smell even if the heater wasn't turned on, just not as noticible. Does this sound like a leak in the heater core?

 

Thanks,

[mmmikkke]

It does to me. I had a car about 10 years ago that developed a heater core leak. Smelled like coolant, fogged up the windows instead of defogging them. Got worse fast, over a few days. Replaced the heater core and it was fixed.

 

When the heater's off the coolant still flows through the heater core but the air door (mostly) keeps air from moving through it. That's why you smell it either way.

[GM-Tech]

Sounds like it, but that's a big job to do just based on smell... which could be coming in from the cowl vents via the engine compartment.

 

As mentioned, I would expect some fogging on the inside of the glass if there was a heater core leak.