When I turn the heater on in my 93 Ford Ranger I get a strong smell of anti-freeze inside the truck.?

Question

I can also see a small amount of smoke or steam coming out of the vents. What could be the problem and how much will it cost to have it repaired?

Answer 1

As many have already stated, you probably need a heater core. The parts are fairly inexpensive, but the labor for replacing the part will get a little pricey. Another cost variable is if the vehicle has air conditioning. Usually in those vehicles, the A/C system has to be recovered and recharged because the airbox (the thing that holds all of these components) has to be removed from under the dash of the truck. If you don't have A/C it's a little cheaper/easier. I do not remember what the labor rate (hours) on that job is but it's not a short job. I would recommend that you get it looked at (at minimum) as soon as possible.

You are also running the risk of overheating your truck by continuing to drive it. The loss of coolant and the loss of cooling system capacity (due to lack of cooling system pressure) can lead to other costly repairs such as a cylinder head and /or cylinder head gasket. The cooling systems in cars are designed to operate under a certain pressure (around 14-16 PSI in most cars), if it cannot maintain that pressure, it will allow the coolant to boil, and in turn the engine can overheat. I know it sounds scary and expensive but it should be repaired as soon as possible to avoid further damage to both the engine and the interior of your vehicle.

Answer 2

You may have a pin hole leak, check for any dripping, it may take a long time before the coolant level decreases. Also, have the system inspected, antifreeze is HIGHLY TOXIC so its best to make sure ts not leaking into the car. If it only happens when the heater is on, try having the heater core inspected. Also, when was the last flush? If the anti freeze is old, flush the cooling system and add new antifreeze.

Answer 3

This is a leak in the heater core. It may also cause the windows to fog. I had a 1985 Bronco, and this fix was VERY easy. How easy it is to repair depends on if you have A/C. You should see two smaller hoses (about 1in diameter) going through the firewall in the engine compartment. This is the core. The core itself is on the passenger compartment side of the firewall. It will not be visable without some disassembly, but looks like a small radiator.

Answer 4

There is a leak somewhere in or around your heater core. The antifreeze smell and steam are one in the same. It's the antifreeze/water mix that cools your engine, and it is escaping, which means that 1) you are low on coolant. Top up immediately. 2) You DO need to fix this ASAP, it cannot be ignored. Asd for cost, it can vary widely from a junkyard pull to a ford-brand product. About 50-200, but the real cost is installation since they need to take most of your dashboard apart to get to it.

Good Luck!

Answer 5

As the others have said, it's 99% your heater core. On a 93 Ford Ranger, it shouldn't be all that expensive, anywhere from $50 to $150, + labor. Unless you don't do something about it. Then it could get worse and really cost you.

Answer 6

The water in your radiator circulates through your truck heater coil inside a sealed box. That hot engine water warms up the air in the box or plenum. Then a fan blows the heated air into your pasenger compartment. If you are smelling anti-freeze, then you might suspect a leak inside your heater box. That could get to be very expensive since the actual leak could be anywhere from the point where water enters the air warming plenum chamber to a crack in the engine water coil inside the box. They may have to take your dashboard apart to get to it.

Hope not. Good luck

Answer 7

Your heater core has a leak in it. needs to be repaired immediately. Your truck could overheat and cause other problems. This can be expensive. If you really dont need your heater, you can bypass it by disconnecting and looping back into the engine block.

Answer 8

its the heater core leaking, approx. $500.00 for a new one and installation. If you live where the weather is mild, you can simply disconnect the two heater hoses from the heater core and bypass the leak by joining them both together with a splicer that you can buy at any auto parts store and it will get you by until you can afford to fix it properly. good luck

Answer 9

Sounds like a leak in your heater core , advance auto parts has them from 21.88 to 41.99 for the part itself . I would estimate the cost to have installed at a dealer to be beween 150 and 200 dollars . Cheaper if you find a neighborhood mechanic or friend , relative. Link below is for part information and price.

Answer 10

you have a leak either in the hose to the heater core or the core itself. Leave the heater off til you repair the leak. If you must use the heater check you coolant level frequently
David in Guntersville