'92 Ford taurus strange smell...

Ok, I have had this Taurus for about 8 months now. I had to replace the water pump, radiator, a couple of hoses, and some other stuff. Well, I had to get a new tire and I didnt really have time to do it so i let my car sit for like a week or two, and now when i start it and turn on the heater i smell this wierd smell. Smells like burning anti-freeze...But i put water instead of anti-freeze because of all the problems with the radiator lines i have had I didnt want to lose anymore. So yea, i smell the smell coming right through the blowers inside the taurus and i pop the hood and i can smell it strongly near the back passenger side of the engine. I checked for leaks and i saw none. So could it just be fluid that just sat there for to long and is burning now? Or....Is it another problem that i have to deal with....

Thanks,
Justin

Even though you have water in the system, there is enough anti-freeze residue left so that it will still smell like anti-freeze. You could have a very small leak somewhere. Doesn't have to be very large to get the smell. My guess is the heater core based on what you've said. Because it is up under the dash, you won't see the leak. I'm not sure how much work is involved in getting to the heater core on that year.

Try running the blower with Norm A/C and see if the smell is still there. Then try Max A/C and see if the strength of the odor changes. Does the smell get stronger as you are driving the car as opposed to sitting stationary with the car idling? Does the smell get stronger as the car warms up?

If the smell is still there with the A/C and seems stronger on Norm than Max, the leak is probably under the hood and the smell is entering the cabin through the fresh air intake at the base of the windshield. If the smell seems to go away after the A/C has been running awhile, then the problem is probably the heater core.

-Rod

It is the heater core. It is bad.

PITA to get fixed.

Mike
:smokin:

Yea, I know now that its the heater core.... And what does "PITA" mean...lolz.....

Pain In The A$$

:evillol:

lmfao..........

Ok, I have had this Taurus for about 8 months now. I had to replace the water pump, radiator, a couple of hoses, and some other stuff. Well, I had to get a new tire and I didnt really have time to do it so i let my car sit for like a week or two, and now when i start it and turn on the heater i smell this wierd smell. Smells like burning anti-freeze...But i put water instead of anti-freeze because of all the problems with the radiator lines i have had I didnt want to lose anymore. So yea, i smell the smell coming right through the blowers inside the taurus and i pop the hood and i can smell it strongly near the back passenger side of the engine. I checked for leaks and i saw none. So could it just be fluid that just sat there for to long and is burning now? Or....Is it another problem that i have to deal with....

Thanks,
Justin

Similar odor with a/c control set to outside air in my 02 Taurus caused by defective pressure cap venting at too low pressure. Coolant vapor vents from cap on top of recovery tank, which has no overflow line. Vapor enters air vent intake in front of windshield. Don't know if applies to yur model.

Good luck,
Shadow