Just replaced heater core but still get pancake syrup smell?

Post by **bronxnativ** » 15 Feb 2011, 14:38

Gentlemen,

replaced my heater core (96 850 GLT) 2 hrs ago and still get 'pancake syrup" smell from vents! Smoke is gone, blows really hot (like its supposed too) and I watched heater core and lines for almost 30 minutes while heater was on, and absolutely no leaks! Why is smell still coming from vents? Does it take time for it to disappear? Really at a loss here! Cant smell anything when heater is off.

Any advice would be appreciated,
Al

Post by **JRL** » 15 Feb 2011, 14:48

Does your AC work?
You also probably have a completely shot A/C evaporator!
If not, and it does work, clean out the A/C intake thoroughly
Make up a bleach and water solution, remove the cowl and wipe the intake area thoroughly.
Wipe dry and repeat
Then spray the entire air intake area with Fridgee Fresh or an equivilent product

billy · Post by **billy** » 15 Feb 2011, 15:02

When you removed the old core, were there indications of any leakage (usually near the fittings),? Even the smallest amounts will leave that sweet smell of coolant and coolant just literally will never evaporate. Turn your windshield defroster on, and see it it fogs up. Almost invisible film from an old humid leaking system may require cleaning of the interior windshield with paper towels and alcohol to get it off and just take time to be cleared from system.

Post by **jblackburn** » 15 Feb 2011, 15:03

It may take a while to clear up - the smell in mine (from a very, very small leak) hung around for 2 weeks.

Post by **bronxnativ** » 15 Feb 2011, 15:45

JRL wrote:Does your AC work?
You also probably have a completely shot A/C evaporator!
If not, and it does work, clean out the A/C intake thoroughly
Make up a bleach and water solution, remove the cowl and wipe the intake area thoroughly.
Wipe dry and repeat
Then spray the entire air intake area with Fridgee Fresh or an equivilent product

JR,

Excellent point! My A/C evaporator does not work! So does that mean I have to live with the IHOP smelll (pancake smell) until I replace the evaporator?

Al

Post by **bronxnativ** » 15 Feb 2011, 15:47

billy wrote:When you removed the old core, were there indications of any leakage (usually near the fittings),? Even the smallest amounts will leave that sweet smell of coolant and coolant just literally will never evaporate. Turn your windshield defroster on, and see it it fogs up. Almost invisible film from an old humid leaking system may require cleaning of the interior windshield with paper towels and alcohol to get it off and just take time to be cleared from system.

No leaks but I will turn on defroster and look for humidity on my windshield.

Thanks!
Al

Post by **bronxnativ** » 15 Feb 2011, 15:50

jblackburn wrote:It may take a while to clear up - the smell in mine (from a very, very small leak) hung around for 2 weeks.

I'm hoping that's the case JB. I am looking forwad to the day that it does not smell like breakfast in my precious 850!

Al

Post by **bronxnativ** » 15 Feb 2011, 15:54

BTW,
My first time doing the heater core. It took about 1.5 hours following the instructions given here! It was easier than it looked. I do have to say that "a little bit of antifreeze will pour" was an understatement. I lost about 3/4's of an antifreeze gallon once I disconnected the two metal lines!

Next time it will take me about 30 minutes (overconfidence kicking in)

Al

Post by **jblackburn** » 15 Feb 2011, 16:24

Beats having a car where you've got to remove tons of stuff just to get to the heater core (or blower fan for that matter).

If I said that just a bit would come out before, I apologize - I had drained the radiator and engine block prior to removing mine, so there was not much left in the system. Hopefully you were prepared with your trash bag

Post by **JRL** » 15 Feb 2011, 16:53

Yes
nott only is the Evap just or goinh bad, it's totally shot and you will have the stink until replaced