bad coolant smell in a/c

[christian.morales]

Hello, first time posting. We own a 2010 Kizashi with close to 100,000 miles. We are the only owner and have had it since new. While driving yesterday, we had the ac on. All of a sudden the ac starting smelling very strongly of coolant. Nothing else happen, no visible leaks or anything. The smell has not gone away since. When we turn on the air it continues to smell strongly of coolant. Any ideas or suggestions?

[golftango]

Hello, first time posting. We own a 2010 Kizashi with close to 100,000 miles. We are the only owner and have had it since new. While driving yesterday, we had the ac on. All of a sudden the ac starting smelling very strongly of coolant. Nothing else happen, no visible leaks or anything. The smell has not gone away since. When we turn on the air it continues to smell strongly of coolant. Any ideas or suggestions?

Heater core has a leak somewhere or could be (not likely but maybe) a cracked block that is leaking and the coolant is hitting the exhaust manifold and evaporating into the engine bay and being drawn into the cabin.

[DiggerDerrik]

Sounds like you have a leaking heater core.

[Ronzuki]

It is possible the leak could be elsewhere in the engine compartment and the smell is being drawn in to the cabin by the fresh air (outside air) inlet. As a verification I suggest forcing the outside air inlet closed (recirc mode) and open the windows to clear any existing smell of coolant from the cabin. Once fresh air has filled the cabin close your windows with the outside air inlet still closed and turn the A/C back on. If you're still smelling it strongly then your heater core is leaking.

I'd once looked at a used GM something or other where I could smell coolant inside after driving awhile w/ the windows up and A/C on. Traced the leak to a tiny fracture in the radiator's end cap. Turns out the car had been wrecked and repaired. Point being w/ the outside air inlet open, even a slight leak in the engine bay, the radiator fans send the coolant mist vapors all around and they can find their way in to the cabin.

Honestly you're probably better off if it is leaking somewhere under the hood. Least it can be seen and repaired more easily than gutting the dashboard to get to the heater core.

[LPSISRL]

I've found the Kizashi to be very efficient at bringing outside odors into the cabin. However, I often smell coolant that is in the engine compartment when the engine is hot but never smell it in the cabin. I think WESHOOT has had the same experience with a coolant smell in the engine compartment. Not sure if he's smelled it in the cabin. I have not been able to trace a leak even though I do have to add a bit of coolant from time to time.

[KuroNekko]

Yeah, a leak around the heater core is likely if the odor continues to come from the vents. Check your coolant levels for both the reservoir and inside the radiator. Make sure both have their caps and both are on tightly. Make sure to do so when the engine has cooled to not risk burning yourself. If the vehicle is leaking coolant, you should see some loss in the level even if you don't see puddles under your car.

[SamirD]

It is possible the leak could be elsewhere in the engine compartment and the smell is being drawn in to the cabin by the fresh air (outside air) inlet. As a verification I suggest forcing the outside air inlet closed (recirc mode) and open the windows to clear any existing smell of coolant from the cabin. Once fresh air has filled the cabin close your windows with the outside air inlet still closed and turn the A/C back on. If you're still smelling it strongly then your heater core is leaking.

This is what I would try first. And then I would stop the car and smell under the hood.

In ours, I find that there's looking come out of the overflow cap for some reason. I've bled out all the air too. It's been doing this since we got it, and it's not much at all, but does leave a little mess.