Antifreeze Won't Go Away

[BPMWare]

Hey all,

Searched around and couldn't find anything on this. If I missed it, I apologize in advance.

Over the last six months, I tackled a couple of issues with my cooling system (heater core replaced, intake manifold replaced, and a couple of hoses here and there). All is working well but I still have this one problem ...

Whenever I turn on the heat or defrosters, I can smell antifreeze. Sometimes, I can't even smell it but know it's there because if I drive for 5 to 10 minutes with the windows up and heater on, I'll start coughing really bad ... as soon as I roll down the window ... all is fine.

My question is: Does anyone have any suggestions with regard to how to get antifreeze out of my ventilation system? My guess is that there's still just a little bit of coolant laying somewhere in ducts and the liquid is positioned in such a way that it's not hot enough to evaporate.

Any ideas would be MUCH appreciated.

 

[timeless2]

Are you sure you don't have any leaking still? It sound like you might.

Either that or there is residual spillage from the part exchange.

 

[urban96]

might just need to clean the ducting, or febreeze the sheeet out of it

 

[forum155pl]

after my core went out about 4 months ago, there was still water in the heater box... i got foggy windows and bad smells for a month or so... I just blasted the heat whenever i had to drive my car and it eventually burned out...

 

[COramprat]

The boiling point of antifreeze is like 370 degrees. It would take alot to have it evaporate. If a shop did the core for you take it back and tell them of the problem.

 

[LaserRed01GT]

Sounds like you either still have a leak near the heater core, or there is just some residual coolant somwhere nearby that is being pulled into the HVAC blower or escaping into the cabin somehow.

Did you bench test/pressure test the heater core before installing it? It is not uncommon for heater cores to have very small leaks, even when brand new.

BTW, the boiling point of most 50/50 coolant/water mixtures is between 220°F-225°F. Each pound of pressure the coolant system is able to develop is equivalent to raising the effective boiling point another 3°F. So if your coolant system was able to develop and hold 18 PSI, your boiling point would be right at 274°F-279°F.