Coolant Smell From Air Vents.

[dirkdiggler]

I can smell coolant whenever I turn on the Heat in my 97 boxster.

it only smells when the heat is on.......otherwise no smell.

No smell with AC on either.

Is this most likely a Heater core issue?


I have been checking my Coolant level and it is not dropping so I am not sure if it is a leak or what? ..... can anything else cause it to smell through the vents?


Is the heater core super difficult to install if that is the issue?


I am very impressed with how hot of air these cars blow ..... this thing is going to be super warm and toasty in the wintertime!!!

as always, any insight is much appreciated??

[pothole]

Yeah, it'll be sime kind of leak from the heater core. Not sure how hard it is to get at, but I'm sure someone will be along. If you're lucky it'll be accessible from under the hood, rather than dash-out job.

[dirkdiggler]

Anyone else have this issue in the past??

recommend buying a New aftermarket one?
or
recommend buying a used one for $80

and whats involved with replacing a heater core?.... does it say in that service manual most of you have.....im ordering one soon myself?

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by dirkdiggler

Anyone else have this issue in the past??

recommend buying a New aftermarket one?
or
recommend buying a used one for $80

and whats involved with replacing a heater core?.... does it say in that service manual most of you have.....im ordering one soon myself?

Dirkdiggler,

I would buy a new one from a reputable vendor like Pelican or an OEM from Suncoast,

now about replacing it... have never done it on a Porsche,

however I have done it on the Fiat X1/9, Alfa Romeo Milano, and a couple more cars that I don't care to remember, but I have to tell you is the most miserable, and uncomfortable job to do on a car...

Before buying anything, you should check the water valve, clamps and hoses that attach into the heater core itself, you may get lucky and it's one of these items (but replacing anything related to the heater core is a pain too...)

[husker boxster]

According to Bentley, the heater core is under the cowl, not under the dash. Looks far simpler than replacing on the average vehicle.

Considering the condition of your Box, the best money you can spend is on a Bentley manual. It will walk you through many of the projects you have ahead of you.

Then buy a new HC. Why buy a used one that could be 100 mi from blowing?

[dirkdiggler]

Thanks guys, glad to hear the dash does not need to come out.

It has to be something up in the front of the car causing the smell becasue it only smells when I turn the Heat on....... otherwise I DONT smell coolant stink any-other time.

I generally just turn the Heat/AC/FAN off all the time after startup and dont smell anything until I kick the heat on.


So far I have put 400 miles on the $3500 boxster and no IMS failure....yeaaahhhh!! ....... but other little issues are showing there ugly face.

[blue2000s]

It very well could be the heater core. It could also be a radiator or the water pump or the air/water heat exchanger or the tank or a hose fitting. It's hard to tell because the smell can find it's way into the cabin from everywhere. Add a UV additive to the coolant and let it run for a while. Open the pressure valve to get it circulating. Then take a look around the bottom of the car and engine with the trays and bulkhead cover off first. You can see the water lines and the pump and most of the radiators that way. You can see the heat exchanger with the top engine cover off.

You'll also want to check the coolant tank for leaks.

Those are the very easy steps. The heater core comes out by removing the battery, windshield wipers, and all the plastic at the base of the windshield. It's not a hard job, but eliminate the easy ones first.

Don't buy anything until you know where the problem lies. Otherwise things will get expensive very quickly.