coolant smell when heat is on.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 66
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From: metro detroit
Year: 00
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
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.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,440
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From: Seal Beach, CA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
Originally Posted by Firestorm500
Exactly how did you "check the heater core?"
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,840
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From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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.
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.
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 247
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From: Northern Illinois
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ntifier=210227
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 66
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From: metro detroit
Year: 00
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
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
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CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
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Year: 2015, 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 3.6L
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.
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...
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 512
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From: Bellevue, WA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
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.
I just replaced the heater core after a collant leak inthe cabin. Expensive and messy.
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Joined: Apr 2009
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Year: 2015, 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 3.6L
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 3
From: Seal Beach, CA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six


