Heater Core odor?

[abscate]

I think they do wash out ok, and many have been happy with the part, so if you do take the part out, you can get rid of the problem pretty easily.

[precopster]

Yeah it was discouraging for me too!! Had postage been less than the cost of the heater core I would have claimed on the warranty.

[scot850]

Try the hot burn off and then you could try one of the A/C cleaners through the system. They are like a grenade, you hit the top of the can and leave the engine idling for whatever the specified time, and hopefully you will have a fresher car afterwards.

Neil.

[Geevs]

I installed the eBay heater core from *swedish*auto*lamps and unfortunately I didn't put through a dishwasher and now getting the funky smell. I evacuated all the old refrigerant from the AC system when I took out the engine from the car for a rebuild but did not refill the AC system when the engine went back in. Would an empty AC system compound the problem?

The smell is mildly nauseating - is it toxic? Had to drive with the windows down, vents closed, recirc ON and blower/AC OFF.

I would like to try the trick to run full heater with AC OFF for a prolonged period of time.

Thanks!

[rspi]

I installed the eBay heater core from *swedish*auto*lamps and unfortunately I didn't put through a dishwasher and now getting the funky smell. I evacuated all the old refrigerant from the AC system when I took out the engine from the car for a rebuild but did not refill the AC system when the engine went back in. Would an empty AC system compound the problem?

The smell is mildly nauseating - is it toxic? Had to drive with the windows down, vents closed, recirc ON and blower/AC OFF.

I would like to try the trick to run full heater with AC OFF for a prolonged period of time.

Thanks!

Was it one of the new "black" ones or the old cream colored ones? I usually was them with degreaser which seems to work fine.

It might be worth the hour that it takes to remove and clean it.

[dorvin]

I replaced my heater core with an aftermarket one last winter, and now that the cold is setting in finally this year, I'm still getting an odor for a minute or so after turning up the heat. It subsides fairly quickly, and I've just learned to live with it.

[abscate]

The AC charge won't impact the heater core smell. I don't think anyone knows exactly what the residue is but car exhaust from the vehicle ahead of you is probably more dangerous

[Geevs]

Hello again, it's been almost 9 months since my last post above and I'm still getting the funky smell during the first few minutes. I've run the heater and A/C system for half an hour in the beginning of the year and it did help a bit. I thought by now the smell would have been totally gone. I guess I will have to yank the core and give it a good wash. Dishwasher is not an option due to the missus. Any suggestions on how to give it a good wash by hand? Should I soak the entire core in a pan filled with all purpose cleaner for a few hours and then rinse? Which cleaner/degreaer did you use? Thanks!

[gmh]

Hello again, it's been almost 9 months since my last post above and I'm still getting the funky smell during the first few minutes. I've run the heater and A/C system for half an hour in the beginning of the year and it did help a bit. I thought by now the smell would have been totally gone. I guess I will have to yank the core and give it a good wash. Dishwasher is not an option due to the missus. Any suggestions on how to give it a good wash by hand? Should I soak the entire core in a pan filled with all purpose cleaner for a few hours and then rinse? Which cleaner/degreaer did you use? Thanks!

I used the powder that we use in the dishwasher in a bucket of really hot water and let it soak for a few hours.

[kaneelschep]

Strange.. I replaced mine 8000km ago with a nissens and it didnt stink at all..