i can smell my radiator fluid - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

t-roy707 · 06-08-2006, 10:30 AM

after i've been driving for about twnty minutes i can smell my radiator fluid. i have a 94 explorer. i thought maybe my thermostat was going bad so i replaced it. but i can still smell it. my temp. gauge never worked before but when i replaced the thermostat, it works now. what else could it be?

**Rick** · 06-08-2006, 10:49 AM

Heater core going bad and leaking into the passenger compartment. That's my guess if you are smelling it inside the truck. Check the carpet and it's backing material under the glove compartment for moisture.

*dogfriend* · 06-08-2006, 11:15 AM

^^^ What he said.

I vote for heater core leak also. If I recall correctly, there is a drain so that the coolent may drip outside, but you will be able to smell it as air flows over the heater core.

*marragtop* · 06-08-2006, 03:08 PM

Before pulling the core out, make sure the heater hoses at the firewall are tight and aren't cracked or split.

thewishkah · 06-08-2006, 04:13 PM

I would go with heater core as well. I just replaced mine about a month ago, not a hard job at all but it would be easier with a helper holding the inlet/out let tubes while you are trying to close under the dash back up. It shouldnt of leaked into the carpet , my 94 has a drain to let it leak out the fire wall to the street. good luck, Jon

**Glacier991** · 06-08-2006, 04:23 PM

I took the liberty to move this to the AC and HEATERs section. In the stickies at the top of this forum is a thread about replacing the heater core on a 1st Generation Explorer you will find helpful. Like others have said you more than likely have a leaky core.

t-roy707 · 06-11-2006, 09:19 PM

i don't really smell it inside. its when i get out of my x and i walk around the front of the caris when i smell it. or when im at a light and i drive off i smell it come through my driver window.

*dogfriend* · 06-11-2006, 11:29 PM

I would either get a shop to test with a radiator pressure tester or rent or buy a tester to test the system under pressure. You should be able to find the source of the leak under pressure.

If you smell coolent while you are driving, it still seems most likely to be the heater core, though.

06-08-2006, 10:30 AM	#1
t-roy707 Wannabe Elite Explorer reno, nv 94 xlt Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 11 Vehicle Specs	i can smell my radiator fluid after i've been driving for about twnty minutes i can smell my radiator fluid. i have a 94 explorer. i thought maybe my thermostat was going bad so i replaced it. but i can still smell it. my temp. gauge never worked before but when i replaced the thermostat, it works now. what else could it be?

06-08-2006, 10:49 AM	#2
Rick Admin Pumpkin Pilot Wayoutin, Aridzona '93 XL Join Date: Feb 1999 Posts: 21,237 Vehicle Specs	Heater core going bad and leaking into the passenger compartment. That's my guess if you are smelling it inside the truck. Check the carpet and it's backing material under the glove compartment for moisture. __________________ Rick Horwitz, AB7FH "Serious Exploration's" Admin Rick's '93/'98 Explorer Dodge Dart 512 Resto/Race 2004 Mustang Mach 1 2003 Dodge Ram/Cummins Dually

06-08-2006, 11:15 AM	#3
dogfriend Human-Animal Hybrid Carmichael, CA '97 Sport 4x4 Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 8,239 Vehicle Specs	^^^ What he said. I vote for heater core leak also. If I recall correctly, there is a drain so that the coolent may drip outside, but you will be able to smell it as air flows over the heater core. __________________ I still miss my best friend. Meet my new friends

06-08-2006, 03:08 PM	#4
marragtop Elite Explorer balt, md 91 xlt, 92 xlt, 95 xlt Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 1,845 Vehicle Specs	Before pulling the core out, make sure the heater hoses at the firewall are tight and aren't cracked or split. __________________ '88 F150 4x4 '91 Explorer XLT 4x4 '92 Explorer XLT 4x4 '95 Explorer XLT 4x4 If it don't = 16 (4x4), it ain't worth driving...

06-08-2006, 04:13 PM	#5
thewishkah Wannabe Elite Explorer Brooklyn New York 1994 explorer xlt Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,237 Vehicle Specs	I would go with heater core as well. I just replaced mine about a month ago, not a hard job at all but it would be easier with a helper holding the inlet/out let tubes while you are trying to close under the dash back up. It shouldnt of leaked into the carpet , my 94 has a drain to let it leak out the fire wall to the street. good luck, Jon __________________ Its all fun and games, till someone gets hurt..... then it's hysterical.

06-08-2006, 04:23 PM	#6
Glacier991 EF Tranny Guru Sacramento, CA 95827 1992 XLT Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 9,779 Vehicle Specs	I took the liberty to move this to the AC and HEATERs section. In the stickies at the top of this forum is a thread about replacing the heater core on a 1st Generation Explorer you will find helpful. Like others have said you more than likely have a leaky core.

06-11-2006, 09:19 PM	#7
t-roy707 Wannabe Elite Explorer reno, nv 94 xlt Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 11 Vehicle Specs	i don't really smell it inside. its when i get out of my x and i walk around the front of the caris when i smell it. or when im at a light and i drive off i smell it come through my driver window.

06-11-2006, 11:29 PM	#8
dogfriend Human-Animal Hybrid Carmichael, CA '97 Sport 4x4 Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 8,239 Vehicle Specs	I would either get a shop to test with a radiator pressure tester or rent or buy a tester to test the system under pressure. You should be able to find the source of the leak under pressure. If you smell coolent while you are driving, it still seems most likely to be the heater core, though. __________________ I still miss my best friend. Meet my new friends