Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

coolant smell when heat is on.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 19, 2012 | 10:32 PM
  #1  
OrrReese's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: metro detroit
Year: 00
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default coolant smell when heat is on.

when I first turn on my heat it smells like coolant, after running for a min it gos away. I have been checking the coolant and it has stayed the same. checked the heatercore and thats a ok. dont know what eles. thanks for any help.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2012 | 01:20 AM
  #2  
Firestorm500's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,734
Likes: 12
Year: 2015, 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 3.6L
Default

Exactly how did you "check the heater core?"
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2012 | 03:20 AM
  #3  
ZINGGG's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 3
From: Seal Beach, CA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
Default

Originally Posted by Firestorm500
Exactly how did you "check the heater core?"
I'm wondering the same thing. Unless you ripped apart your dash, I doubt you did justice on checking it. it probably has a small leak in it. Check again on the passenger side floor, check to see if it's wet at all.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2012 | 05:40 AM
  #4  
tjwalker's Avatar
CF Veteran
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,840
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

The heater core may be just "starting" to fail and you might have the smell, but no actual wetness or significant drop in coolant level.

Sure does sound like the heater core though when you smell coolant inside the cab. Read up on the repair before digging in; it takes a while to complete and isn't much fun.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2012 | 08:08 AM
  #5  
weebur's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 247
Likes: 2
From: Northern Illinois
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by OrrReese
when I first turn on my heat it smells like coolant, after running for a min it gos away. I have been checking the coolant and it has stayed the same. checked the heatercore and thats a ok. dont know what eles. thanks for any help.
You could add some cooling system dye then run it for several days with the A/C on (to add water from the evaporator condensation) then check the drain hose from the HVAC box on the firewall with a UV light. That's the only way I can think of to "check the heater core".

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ntifier=210227
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2012 | 08:13 AM
  #6  
OrrReese's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: metro detroit
Year: 00
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Checked it by pressurized the system and trying to hear for leaks and checking the floor to make sure it was staying dry.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2012 | 08:16 AM
  #7  
OrrReese's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: metro detroit
Year: 00
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Checked it by pressurized the system and trying to hear for leaks and checking the floor to make sure it was staying dry. Sorry about not saying that
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2012 | 08:27 AM
  #8  
Firestorm500's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,734
Likes: 12
Year: 2015, 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 3.6L
Default

Originally Posted by OrrReese
Checked it by pressurized the system and trying to hear for leaks and checking the floor to make sure it was staying dry. Sorry about not saying that
I doubt you would "hear" a leak of this nature. I agree with an earlier poster that it is probably just starting. At first, the coolant will just weep out and stick to the fins of the core.

As the air flows past it, it evaporates the coolant so that you can smell it. Later, your windshield will get a white fog-like deposit on it, starting where the defroster vents blow against the glass.

Just get ready. It is a very time-consuming repair to get to it. Don't use any radiator stop-leak, it will just clog the whole cooling system.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2012 | 08:31 AM
  #9  
OrrReese's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: metro detroit
Year: 00
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Ya that stop leak it nasty crap. Thanks for the help guys
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2012 | 09:17 AM
  #10  
jebmccall's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 749
Likes: 1
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

ive been having the same issue for a couple of months now, i just need to go on and change it....
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2012 | 10:28 AM
  #11  
TheNerd's Avatar
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

It's summer time.... you can bypass your heater core for a while if you don't want to do any more damage or smell any more coolant. It's a band-aid, but as mentioned, replacing the heater core is a PITA, so you can buy yourself some time to get motivated. Hell, maybe your A/C evaporator will go out too this summer and you can kill 2-birds and all...
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2012 | 11:14 AM
  #12  
yarom's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 512
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue, WA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

You could flush the coolant and try adding one of these miracle liquids that seals the system, as a temporary measure.

I just replaced the heater core after a collant leak inthe cabin. Expensive and messy.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2012 | 01:32 PM
  #13  
Firestorm500's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,734
Likes: 12
Year: 2015, 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 3.6L
Default

Originally Posted by yarom
You could flush the coolant and try adding one of these miracle liquids that seals the system, as a temporary measure.
Did you not read my earlier post?
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2012 | 02:48 PM
  #14  
Lt. Dan's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Manassas, VA
Model: Cherokee
Default

Have fun pullin' that dash... be sure to pick up some A/C disconnect tools before you get started!!!
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2012 | 02:50 PM
  #15  
ZINGGG's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 3
From: Seal Beach, CA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
Default

Originally Posted by yarom
You could flush the coolant and try adding one of these miracle liquids that seals the system, as a temporary measure.
Yeah.......... Don't do this
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:16 PM.