Strong 'burning' vent smell. Heater core?

[sks70]

I've had my 92 XLT for only a few months now. Up until this morning, it's been running great without any problems. Usually, I turn it on and let it warm up for a few minutes in the morning due to a slightly rough idle at first, which I associated with some condensation since it's been very rainy and wet where I live lately. Not an issue.

However, this morning I cranked it up, went back in the house to let it idle for a few, and when I climbed into it there was a STRONG burning-type smell. It very well could have been a coolant small, but definitely had a burning quality to it. Now, this has never occurred before. I noticed the smell continuing while I drove for about an hour.

All the research I've done points to a bad heater core, but I don't have any of the other symptoms; no leaks, no dampness near floorboards. I did have some fog on the windshield, but that's been a normal occurance with the weather and I'm not quick to assume it's a symptom of the core.

Coolant level is fine. Nothing looks unusual, so what's the best thing to assume from here? I'm a automotive novice so my experience is limited, but if anyone has any ideas, I'd be glad to hear them!

Thanks,

-S

 

[MrShorty]

Is the smell there when the fans on and not when it's off? I've heard of cases where the smell was from leaves and such that get into the air intake by the heater fan and then the heater fan cooks the leaves.

 

[Timoteo]

I get a burning smell in my 92, have for years, I'm sure my is do to leaky valve cover gaskets that I'm too lazt to change. If I keep the vent to max Ac, it keeps out make up air from coming in, (like recirc). If I'm traveling at speed I can use the heater, but if I want heat and the engine is hot and I'm stopped at a light I may get the odor. Hope this helps.

 

[Derrick C.]

If there is a diffenet coolant smell then yes its the heater core. When mine went out it gave no warning. Warmed it up before going to work one morning and you could easily till coolant was getting way to hot some where. I didn't have any of the symptons either but I switched mine out to a new one and haven't had a single problem with it since. Take alook around and see if you can find the problem.

 

[Charlie's_93EB]

does it smell like (A)plastic burning, (B)leaves burning, or (C)cotton candy???

A, that could be anything, blower resister?
B, leaves may be in the coul area?
C, if it is the county fair smell, then it is heater core.

 

[jsrustad]

The foggy windshield and possible coolant smell does point to a heater core. That said, my 94 had a real strong burning smell more than once:

1) When the AC compressor siezed.

And again five or six weeks later:

2) When the idler pulley bearing siezed.

#2 was followed shortly by the pulley bolt stripping out of the alternator mount casting and flying into the alternator (destroying it as well). Idler pulleys are fairly cheap -- the rest of the damage wasn't... The worst part is that I heard a noise the night before it happened, but couldn't find what it was.

In both cases, the strong burning smell was coming from the serpentine belt.

 

[techieman33]

Ya, it sounds like it's the heater core, it's a pretty simple fix on the '92, it's only a $15 part, and about a half hour install.