Heater core removal

[Domtar]

I get an occasional whiff from under the hood. Tried finding the source couple times with no luck.

I can smell the coolant in my 21 1500 3.6L occasionally, might be used to it. 48k miles. No obvious leaks, pressure tested with rented pressure tester indicating pressure drops slowly, very slowly. Operating temperature is normal. Using the vents gives me a blast of coolant smell and I think I'm losing coolant very slowly. Didn't notice the smell until I topped off the reservoir to the max line (max while engine is hot). Floorboard is dry, pulled up the carpet to be sure. Wanted to get some opinions before pulling the dash. There is a video, lacking fine details, pulling the dash in a 22 1500 which didn't look too bad but he avoided discharging the AC, so I can't say for sure it's the same setup as most of my research. Given the lack of fluid in the cab, how can I be sure my problem is a heater core? If so, thank goodness I don't have a center console.

 

[Snert]

I have been going nuts with my 2019 coolant smell . It is not consistent and can not find the source.
Smell is not consistent...
So far have done the following.
1- inspected all hoses from radiator to firewall.
2- added coolant dye to system.
3- pulled the carpet back, all is dry top and bottom of carpet.
4- pulled center stack/radio, can see the top of the core. Cannot see the left side pipe, but top of core is 100% dry.
5- did a pressure test on the system while motor was cool. Put 15psi to the system and waited 1 hour. Slowly went down 4psi over a 1hr period (started at 15 dropped to 11). From what I can find, seems if 10psi or more drop would be a concern.
6- while waiting the hour for pressure test. I went over all hoses, radiator, water pump, t-stat housing, gout under truck, looked at block and head gasket areas. Went inside pulled carpet back again, no signs of any coolant, all is dry.
7- replaced radiator cap, seems to have helped a little with the smell. On start up I get a coolant smell that dissipates quickly.
8- keep checking underside of the dash, no coolant detected, felt or seen even with the UV light.

 

[kapinallinen2]

Using the vents gives me a blast of coolant smell

That, in my uneducated opinion, would point to the heater core, could be wrong tho.
The console, just a few fasteners and a ground connection, no big deal according to service procedure in AlldataDIY.

 

[Apny2nv]

Did you check the heater hoses? I'm having the same smell on my 21 with the 3.6. In my situation, the heater hose O-ring is not sealing at the connection. Wiggle the hose and check for coolant. I ordered new heater hose assy so once I replace it, I'm hoping the smell is gone.

 

[Domtar]

I get an occasional whiff from under the hood. Tried finding the source couple times with no luck.

I can smell the coolant in my 21 1500 3.6L occasionally, might be used to it. 48k miles. No obvious leaks, pressure tested with rented pressure tester indicating pressure drops slowly, very slowly. Operating temperature is normal. Using the vents gives me a blast of coolant smell and I think I'm losing coolant very slowly. Didn't notice the smell until I topped off the reservoir to the max line (max while engine is hot). Floorboard is dry, pulled up the carpet to be sure. Wanted to get some opinions before pulling the dash. There is a video, lacking fine details, pulling the dash in a 22 1500 which didn't look too bad but he avoided discharging the AC, so I can't say for sure it's the same setup as most of my research. Given the lack of fluid in the cab, how can I be sure my problem is a heater core? If so, thank goodness I don't have a center console

That, in my uneducated opinion, would point to the heater core, could be wrong tho.
The console, just a few fasteners and a ground connection, no big deal according to service procedure in AlldataDIY.

Thanks for the reply. Anyone here know where I can find a good step by step for changing the core? I have a decent idea of what it involves, just want to avoid jacking up the steering column and I would like to find out if the AC needs to be discharged or if it can be avoided.