Help: STEAM Coming from vents!!

[asp84]

Today I noticed an awfull smell coming from the vents of my 91 X when I had the heater on. The windows also wouldn't defog, even on full defrost!! After another 30 minutes of driving, STEAM started to come out my vents. (when in heat mode) It had the sickly smell of hot antifreeze/radiator fluid. I immediatley stopped and opened the hood. My radiator was low on water, but that is usual, because it leaks everytime I fill it up. (I think there is a small hole at the top...?)

Do I have a bad heater core? How can I stop my radiator from leaking? (at the top)

Thanks
Al
asp84@earthlink.net

 

[toad]

I would have to say its your heater core for sure , this will cause all the things you mentioned. As for the rad , find the hole solder it up if you can ,if not a re-core or new rad is probably in order . good luck

 

[JDraper]

Time for a new heater core. Also, when you replace it, make sure you wash out all the heater ducts with soap and water. If you don't, it will take forever for the antifreeze residue to go away, and your windows will always be sticky.

 

[Arnold D.]

probably would be a good time to change your heater hoses if you have the core out too...

 

[asp84]

The residue that the antifreeze puts on the window is very fog prone. Blasting cold air at 65 MPH will not even clear the fog!! How much does a new heater core cost?

 

[JoeC5]

Where is the heater core located?? And is it hard to replace????

 

[Arnold D.]

Last time I bought a heater core they ran about $25-40. For a 91 to 94, my Chilton manual says the core drops out of the inside passengers side after you remove the hoses. Looks like there are 4 screws that attach the plenum to the access cover, then the access cover comes off and the core drops straight down. If your core is bad, you probably have some coolant in the plenum and the area around the core...

 

[Goober]

One of the good ideas Ford actually had was to put in a hose that drains fluid away from the interior should the heater core spring a leak. After disconnection the inlet/outlet hoses from the core, unscrewing 4 screws that hold the cover to the core on(behind the glovebox), it pops right out. I got my aluminum core for $16 at Pep-Boys, copper cores are a bit more than that. A 20-30 minute job and your done. Oh, and make sure you have a few rags right under the core as your removing it, while most of the fluid is gone, some will still be there.