2003 Impala coolant leak

The other day after work i smelled coolant through the vents when I first turned on the fan. I also smelled it a tiny bit the next day. I am concerned I might have a heater core leak. Anyone ever change one on these cars? I have done many but wonder if this car will be a nightmare to do. It almost looks like I can pull the center console out and right in the center of the dash I should be able to take apart the heater unit fairly easily. I just want to see the actual procedure first. I am waiting a bit longer to confirm it really has a problem before I tear anything apart. I was lookin at the recall for 2000-2002 and (some 2003) for the TBI leaking coolant and wondered if that goes into the engine or out on thw ground? Anyone know. I could easily be smelling vapors from under the hood too so I don't want to jump to a conclusion.
Thanks
-Phil

Do you actually SEE coolant leaking. Have you checked the resevoir level ?
Look all around the intake manifold. It could be something simole like the coolant resevoir lid popped off, or you have developed a leak around the coolant temp sensor ( back and under the trottle body ). I have a 98 Malibu that started leaking from the sensor, had to take it out and wrap some teflon tape around it then put it back in. Like the spark plugs , do not take the sensor out when it is hot. Might damage the threads. Also prepare for the worst. check coolant for oil and oil for coolant. If your oil has coolant in it DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR.

Thanks. I do not see any coolant. I did look over the motor pretty good and I was low on coolant. The overflow was real low. I topped it off and checked the oil which is clean. Not even any vapor on the oil cap. I guess I will keep an eye on it.

I would check the coolant level at each gas fill up. Also watch your temp guage. You also have a low rad coolant level warning lamp. I think if the heater core was leaking ( and i say i think ) there would be coolant on the floor at the passenger compartment. I have a 2003 3.4L and I have the factory service manula for the 2003 3.4L / 3.8 L . So if you need any info I can look it up or scan to an upload site.

I checked for coolant on the floor and that car is so well insulated that there is a rubber mat under the rug that at least covers the firewall so it may be hard to spot the leak. although I tried. I believe if there is a leak it is only a real small and only when it cools, under pressure it must seal cause I smell it a tiny bit at first startup and nothing thereafter. I will be watching that guage like a hawk. I do keep checking the level and maybe tonite I will look around on the engine a bit better and look for a sign of a dried leak there. thanks

After we fixed the intake leak on my friends car he could smell antif freeze inside the car. It finally went away. I had a small leak on a hose and could smell it inside the car. Look at both ends of the intake and look for anything that looks like a leak. If the head or block doesn't look smooth then you probably have an intake leak. You probably won't even see any fluid just some staining. If it is it will only get worse. You can put some stop leak in the rad. and it will help for awhile. The TBI was for the 3.8 and the said they would replace the intake bolts and put in the pellet stop leak to fix the prob. I put the pellets in my car and when I finally had to fix the leak all the left over pellets eneded up in on of the ports on the intake. Luckly it was a port that just stopped at the head. So no prob. It's not hard to do it yourself.