1998 s70 t5 Heater core

cjbmustang · Post by **cjbmustang** » 14 Sep 2014, 14:48

I replaced the heater core/o-rings a few years ago after having the smell/film on the windshield. The smell never went away. I decided to fix the A/C last summer and took everything out of the car to clean everything, figuring maybe there was still some residue in there. The heater core itself stinks. Is the smell coming through the plastic? After all, it's porous by nature.

I don't have any leaks. While doing the A/C job, I replaced the evap, drier, condenser and also the firewall assembly where the heater lines pass through. Are these things just junk?

Curious if anyone else has had a similar problem.

Thanks,

Chris

Post by **abscate** » 14 Sep 2014, 15:04

The cheap ( but proven ) heater core on eBay is known to stink unless you put in the dishwasher first.

If you do get a leaking heater core, you need to empty the floorboards of coolant too. All the carpeting and soundproofing will smell like coolant unless you wash them out of the car.

cjbmustang · Post by **cjbmustang** » 14 Sep 2014, 15:28

I bought this one from FCP. It only stinks when the heater is on or the heater control knob is turned to a warmer setting.

Post by **rspi** » 14 Sep 2014, 16:38

That is when the flapper opens to let air from the core enter the cabin area.

Post by **JRL** » 14 Sep 2014, 16:54

cjbmustang wrote:I bought this one from FCP. It only stinks when the heater is on or the heater control knob is turned to a warmer setting.

Did you read?
It needed to have been washed first

cjbmustang · Post by **cjbmustang** » 14 Sep 2014, 19:22

JRL wrote:
cjbmustang wrote:I bought this one from FCP. It only stinks when the heater is on or the heater control knob is turned to a warmer setting.
Did you read?
It needed to have been washed first

I did read it. Did you? I did not purchase this through ebay, like the other member had posted. I believe it was a Behr. Thank you for your contribution.

What would washing the heater core have to do with anything? Does the hot water/dry cycle seal the end-tanks?

cjbmustang · Post by **cjbmustang** » 14 Sep 2014, 19:22

rspi wrote:That is when the flapper opens to let air from the core enter the cabin area.

Correct.

Post by **dosbricks** » 14 Sep 2014, 20:53

Chris, apparently the manufacturing oil on the ebay core smells when it gets hot, therefore washing in detergent cleans it off prior to installation. I have not previously heard of Behr cores stinking.

I just ordered one of the ebay ones from Swedish Car Parts. What about taking it to the carwash? and should the Inlet and outlet holes be plugged when laundering this thing? Thanks for any guidance.

Post by **abscate** » 15 Sep 2014, 01:56

Dishwasher or even a few minutes in hot water with lots of suds and a stiff brush will get the oil off. You can plug or rinse the inside with water for a minute when done. It's not rocket surgery.

Post by **precopster** » 15 Sep 2014, 06:54

The autolamps/volvonest heater core smells for about 3 months and so do the cheaper black varieties of heater core. I failed to wash both types and we endured the smell until it evaporated off the external alloy.