front heater core?

2fas2c

2fas2c

Banned
So I think my 1999 Limited has developed a leak in the :mad:heater core:mad:. Yesterday I was driving along and all of a sudden there was a strong smell of coolant inside to the point where I had to roll down the windows to clear out the noxious fumes :painkiller: . When I got home I checked the passenger floor/under dash and see no signs of leaks. The odor is fairly strong so I'm almost certain it is the heater core? I can't think of anything else that would cause this? Can anyone provide a link to a good write up or have any tips before I start tearing the whole front half of the interior out??? YAY :mmph: is it ok to just buy the Spectra? or OEM which is like 4 times the price? TIA
 
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Check your coolant level before doing anything. I once smelled coolant while the air flow is from outside. If you can locate the joint between the AC evaporator (next to the blower fan) and main heater control unit, check for any dampness/coolant smell. I think 99 is to early to get these symptoms unless someone used pure water (without coolant)

Heater core removal:http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/124887-heater-core-removal.html

Make sure you have at least TWO FULL days!
 
nissanh said:
Check your coolant level before doing anything. I once smelled coolant while the air flow is from outside. If you can locate the joint between the AC evaporator (next to the blower fan) and main heater control unit, check for any dampness/coolant smell. I think 99 is to early to get these symptoms unless someone used pure water (without coolant)

Heater core removal:http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/124887-heater-core-removal.html

Make sure you have at least TWO FULL days!
Click to expand...

it's got the standard Toyota red coolant. Thanks for the link I was looking at your write up earlier. I do have the climate control set to "outside" I checked the coolant level and it is still full and it still heats up quickly and gets really warm. Truck has 278,000kms on it so fairly high mileage but really well taken care of from the looks of it, I have only owned it for a couple of months now. I find it weird that the odor is so strong yet the core does not appear to be leaking anywhere.
So your saying to check the connection at the AC evaporator?
 
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2fas2c said:
I'm still thinking it's going to be the front one because the back has never been on since I have owned it.
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Probably the front core but even if you don't use it, you should at least have the control to hot without the fan on.
The coolant in there should be cycled through the system as well.
Who knows how old it could be?
 
wc11 said:
Probably the front core but even if you don't use it, you should at least have the control to hot without the fan on.
The coolant in there should be cycled through the system as well.
Who knows how old it could be?
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sure, but what I am asking is if you think my heater core is toast if i can smell a strong odor of coolant inside with heat on? I can't see it leaking anywhere, but I literally cannot use heat or the inside fills with noxious fumes. I just want to be sure seeing as the whole dash has to come out. I was also hoping someone knew where I could find a PDF of the factory shop manual? the heat still works really well if that means anything.
 
I just did the heater core on my t4r. It's not too bad of a job if you have some mechanical skill. It seems overwhelming at first, but once you understand the concept it's easy. If you're able to remove your radio and you understand Toyotas various clips and linkages, you shouldn't have a problem..

Peel back your carpet on the passenger side left foot area and let us know if its wet.
 
2fas2c said:
sure, but what I am asking is if you think my heater core is toast if i can smell a strong odor of coolant inside with heat on? I can't see it leaking anywhere, but I literally cannot use heat or the inside fills with noxious fumes. I just want to be sure seeing as the whole dash has to come out. I was also hoping someone knew where I could find a PDF of the factory shop manual? the heat still works really well if that means anything.
Click to expand...

Sorry.
The core may not be gone.
You may just have a leak in the tubing/hoses.
You'll have to do some exploring to narrow down the source.
 
keep some extra coolant in the truck just in case.
I say don't open the dash now. Get the air from inside. The reason why say about the smell is because last month I was driving through AZ and had fresh air coming in. Then I smelled coolant like smell and has few drops of water on my windshield. I first though it is a busted heater core hose... then I saw water on my grill guard. whew.... it still smelled like coolant... but I drove while keeping my eye on the heat gauge...

Drove all the way home to Louisiana and had no problem.

Just continue to use the heater. see how it goes. check radiator coolant level (only when it is COLD) by removing the radiator cap.
 
Yotacollector said:
I just did the heater core on my t4r. It's not too bad of a job if you have some mechanical skill. It seems overwhelming at first, but once you understand the concept it's easy. If you're able to remove your radio and you understand Toyotas various clips and linkages, you shouldn't have a problem..

Peel back your carpet on the passenger side left foot area and let us know if its wet.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I don't think it will be too bad either. As far as shitty jobs ago it is near the tops though haha. I work at a shop and have experience with heater core re & re on other Toyota's it's just the majority of them were pre 90's so not as much crap behind the dash.

I'll check out the carpet tomorrow it feels dry but I know how the underlay can be real thick on these "newer" vehicles.
 
nissanh said:
keep some extra coolant in the truck just in case.
I say don't open the dash now. Get the air from inside. The reason why say about the smell is because last month I was driving through AZ and had fresh air coming in. Then I smelled coolant like smell and has few drops of water on my windshield. I first though it is a busted heater core hose... then I saw water on my grill guard. whew.... it still smelled like coolant... but I drove while keeping my eye on the heat gauge...

Drove all the way home to Louisiana and had no problem.

Just continue to use the heater. see how it goes. check radiator coolant level (only when it is COLD) by removing the radiator cap.
Click to expand...

I will give it a try with "recirculate" on and see what happens thanks!
 
Don't forget.
Once you find & fix the problem, occasionally move the temp control on the rear heater to warm to circulate the coolant.
This can help prevent future issues.
Other than the obvious over heating issue, imagine if the coolant in your engine never got circulated.
Just some easy preventative maintenance.
 
2fas2c said:
sure, but what I am asking is if you think my heater core is toast if i can smell a strong odor of coolant inside with heat on? I can't see it leaking anywhere, but I literally cannot use heat or the inside fills with noxious fumes. I just want to be sure seeing as the whole dash has to come out. I was also hoping someone knew where I could find a PDF of the factory shop manual? the heat still works really well if that means anything.
Click to expand...

My rear fogged the whole car up and it wasnt even on high, id make sure its not your rear one considering its a hell of alot easier to change the rear.
 
I will definitely check out the rear core and pipes I really, really don't want to do the front one lol.
 
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