Strong smell of coolant when first starting up with the heat on. It goes away rather quickly after running for a minute or so. I've recently put a new radiator in and flushed the heater core....Does this indicate a leak in the heater core? Is there any way to find out if it's leaking by looking around anywhere without tearing the dash out? I can't find any other evidence of a leak besides this smell.

 

More then likely you heater core is just starting to develop a leak. You can feel around on the passenger side floor if it's damp that's your problem. But just because the floor isn't wet yet doesn't mean that it isn't leaking. It can be a small leak and just not making it to the floor.

 

Hmm I'll have to check into that. Interesting that it's just on startup though and wouldn't be consistent if the leak is there.

Looks like I would pony up the cash and probably go to the stealership to get the core replaced if it comes to that...i doubt I have the patience for such a job!

 

Hopefully your pockets are deep, otherwise you should probably re-title your thread to: Help me replace my ^%$#@# heater core.

 

"go to the stealership to get the core replaced"

$750-$1000

 

Yup, not unusual to see heater core replacement costs in this area. Or even more expensive than that. And that is most likely what you're looking at. The flushing of it may have created a small leak, which is just a matter of time anyways.

It's all about the labor. Parts don't cost much.

If you can find an independent shop or a mechanic you trust that does work on the side for less $$ per hour, you can drop the price substantially.

 

au contraire, a factory heater core will set ya back $375.00 and 8 hrs labor at whutever their door rate is, so most def closer to $1000.00, now, are ya getting any steam on the windshield? if not, it may not be the core, when they leak, the usually go hard, and most def steam up the w/shield

 

I've seen many slow leaks of the heater core. And I wouldn't pay $375 for a Jeep heater core. I don't buy Jeep radiators or heater cores; can get same quality for much less.

But you should also replace the air conditioner evaporator while you have the whole damn mess disassembled....

 

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i went mexican, 61.00 had to replace it again in less than a week due to its quality, and i think its leaking again, there is NOT another heater core out there for a 4.0 that is as stout as factory, but to each there own

 

but i do agree wif ya bout the radiator

 

oh,and you should be able to feel around the bottom of the box for moisture/coolant, if its dry--head gasket?

 

I have also seen many with a slow leaks that never fogged the windshield. When I replaced mine I just picked one up at Auto zone and that was going on 5 years without a problem, and they still have them for only $63. That's a lot better then $375!

 

I just replaced my heater core, its not hard to do, its just time consuming.

 

x2

 

I do agree with you that there are a lot of crap heater cores available in the $70 range.

I can't remember the vendor offhand, but I have had good luck with a company that makes copper/brass heater cores that I've never had a failure with and they sell for about $150 - $200