Turned on the heat and smell coolant fluid

I recently purchased a 1988 328. It was cold out today, so I turned on the heat for the first time and got a strong smell of coolant fluid (I missed checking the heat during the pre-purchase inspection). After looking at the schematics, I see that there are heater core boxes for the driver and passenger sides of the car. I'm thinking it's probably a small leak in one of the boxes. Next time out I'll try heat on one side, and then the other to isolate the problem.

Before I start disassembling, I wanted to ask if this sounds like a logical diagnosis? Any other advice from someone with a similar problem? Can I get to those boxes from the wheel wells or by removing the inner panels in the spare tire compartment?

I've found helpful posts on draining and refilling the cooling system, running new coolant and heater hoses, etc. If it is a heater box, I'll probably be into replacing at least the lines that connect to it, unless they come off easily.

Thanks, Doug

 

It may not be the heater core, it could be just the hose that goes to the heater core.
Either way you still need access to the box.

 

Hi,

This happened to me as well. There is a small aluminum heater core in each of the boxes. In my case they were leaking and caused the smell. I had a radiator shop repair them with epoxy.

Bill

 

Happened to me as well. Had to replace both cores.
Ciao
Eugenio

 

Very common. The cars are getting old and we are seeing lots of leaking heater cores. It is on the list for our 328 when it comes back from the body shop.

 

Looks like the heater boxes are hard to find. I've checked with Ricambi, FerrParts, T.Rutlands, ItalianCarParts, and Dennis McCann. The right box (#61761400) is available from Ricambi and FerrParts at $376. But no one lists the left box (#61761300) as available.

Has anyone found these?

Also, any suggestions on the easiest way to get to the box?

THANKS.

 

From my experience on a 308, its easy to get to the boxes you just remove the fiberglass panel that is around the spare tire and there they are to the left and right. Getting the hoses off when they are in place is difficult. You should try to get them lose by removing the airduct thats coming up from the fan and then unbolting the box and try to get it lose. On mine you can remove the front panel of the box without having to remove any of the waterhoses or even removing the box. That allows you to see the core inside the box. If you are lucky you may see the leak and simply fix it with some type of filler. I have fixed gastank leaks with certain epoxy with playdough type of consistency and it was solid.

Helmut

 

Hi,

The cores come out of the boxes and it is unlikely that either of the actual boxes is bad. As has been suggested in this thread more than likely it is a hose or the actual core itself. If you are inclined you can remove the tub and you should quickly find out if one or both of your hoses/coresw is leaking. I replaced the u-bend hose from the valve to the core with one from Napa (take the old one and try and find a close match) and a radiator shop re-epoxied both cores and pressure tested them. This is a relatively straight forward repair and hopefully no new parts will be required.

Good luck!

Bill

 

Thanks for the very helpful replies, folks. I really appreciate the advice.

We had a snowfall over the weekend, and they salted the roads. So the 328 is in for a while. Perfect time to start this project.

Thanks, happy motoring. Doug

 

Same thing just happened to me. Luckily, it was a day before my Mondial was scheduled to go to the shop for belt/bearings, etc. Keeping my fingers crossed that it is a hose or something simple...but with my luck who knows

 

I appreciate this thread, guys. I'm seeing the telltale green drip...drip...drip just inboard of my driver's side front wheel well. I'll pull the tub out this weekend and dig in there.

 

I've had actual cores fail in my Pontiac Firebirds, what a mess dumped on the passenger!

Here's hoping yours is simpler!

 

There are two forgotten and rarely serviced filter screens in there (in the 308) maybe check them out and see what's up.

 

Oh yes it is. I remember wet feet when I was a kid, from a blown heater core in a '64 Galaxie 500 ("um, Daddy.....why is there an inch of water on the floor?"). Then I learned how to install a new heater core I think this is a hose problem, but it's time for me to get into the front compartments, so I don't mind.

I'm looking forward to pulling out the blowers, ducts, etc...and treating the bracket rust around in there. I'm betting that the ducts, filters (whatever's left of them), cores, etc. are nastayyyyy. I was just telling my little pal Carson, who helped me this past weekend, about driving up from GA getting little bits of foam shot into my face from the dash vents. It was hilarious. I was enjoying my drive, cruising along, now and then spitting out some tiny bit of debris. I had a pretty good idea what was happening. With daylight the next morning, I saw foam shrapnel scattered like dust across the dash. Serves me right for turning on the heat.

 

I have lots of spare heater & A/C parts if anyone is in need. Jim

 

That's good to know. Thanks, Jim.

 

Cant a leaky/rotted core be recored like radiators instead of paying $300++ for a new one?

 

Looking at post #8 above, it sounds like a good possibility. In the end, they're just mini radiators, so if they're not too bad, I would think that a good shop could do a lot with them....though I will get my first look at a Ferrari core this weekend.

Post #5 here is promising as well: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=140953070

 

good plan. Keep that in mind, and good luck, man.

 

It's a hose connection problem, at the outside of the driver's side core. Getting at it in the morning. In the photo, you can see the wet spot at the top of the box, where it sprayed. Shouldn't be too bad.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showpost.php?p=141183098&postcount=89

 

I am having the opposite problem. I don't smell coolent, but I am constantly wiping a clear oily film off the inside of my windshield. I can only think that it must be glycol vapors wafting up through the defrost vents.

 

I would narrow it down to one side or the other (if possible) and check the heater core(s), boxes and hoses. Here's how mine turned out: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=141185897

Once you pull out the spare tire tub, it's pretty easy to get at things under both fenders.