Go ahead and get me over the shock

[RangerRico]

Going to take my truck in to the mechanic next week. Got a smell of antifreeze around the truck and inside the cab when it's warmed up. I've Inspected the heater core, all hoses and overall search for a leak and nothing found.

Oil is clean so far, so my thoughts are either head gaskets or worse yet, the dreaded cracked heads. If worse comes to worst and it is head cracks, what am I staring at in the ballpark of a repair bill ?

 

[88gt]

doin the teardown work myself with al the new gaskets and new heads, your proablly looking at about 800 bucks and a good day or weekend of work. if your having the shop do it. youd be better off buying a newer truck. you could try to get a set of junkyard heads if yours are shot and that would save a few bucks.

 

[Tedybear]

Check the lower corners of the radiator. Our '89 seems to always have an antifreeze smell about it, and we've checked hoses (replaced 'em all actually), Tore into the heater box...dry as a popcorn fart. We did see two small areas at the lower corners of the radiator that looked "Wet", when the rest of the radiator was bone dry looking.

Seems the seal with the plastic sides was starting to get weak, and it was weeping out.

S-


edit: We didn't see the leak until I had to replace the plastic cooling fan, and had to remove the shroud. Once the shroud was removed? The leaks where pretty clear.

 

[IMenriched]

Going to take my truck in to the mechanic next week. Got a smell of antifreeze around the truck and inside the cab when it's warmed up. I've Inspected the heater core, all hoses and overall search for a leak and nothing found.

Oil is clean so far, so my thoughts are either head gaskets or worse yet, the dreaded cracked heads. If worse comes to worst and it is head cracks, what am I staring at in the ballpark of a repair bill ?

you can get a die to put into the radiator. and see where it is going.

I had a slight oder in the cab couldn't see leaking either went to change the heater core ....upon removal of the old one...the sodered tube came loose on the heater core itself. When i got it out and looked it over it had several little leaks....prolly wasn't leaking enough to leave a puddle...just enough to stink.

Not saying that this is where yours is leaking...just an example of where it could. Certainly would keep a close eye on things though.

 

[rdean]

you can get a die to put into the radiator. and see where it is going.

I had a slight oder in the cab couldn't see leaking either went to change the heater core ....upon removal of the old one...the sodered tube came loose on the heater core itself. When i got it out and looked it over it had several little leaks....prolly wasn't leaking enough to leave a puddle...just enough to stink.

Not saying that this is where yours is leaking...just an example of where it could. Certainly would keep a close eye on things though.

Mine was doing the same thing. Put in a new heater core and smell is gone.

 

[RangerRico]

Put in a new what ?

 

[IMenriched]

Put in a new what ?

Heater core...basically a small radiator inside the cab....to supply heat, inside the cab....by the feet on the passanger side

 

[RangerRico]

Ah OK, gotcha..... So would this be a 5 minute, remove a couple of screws type job or an all weekend, throw most of your tools against the wall and track the dog down and kick him type job ?

 

[Beastly88]

i did mine in my 88 and took me no more then 15 min TOPS

 

[90B24wd]

92 & earlier ones are easy to change the heater cores. 93 & later ones are harder.

 

[Cyberbeer]

Smell of antifreeze is the cab is usually heater core..check out your overflow bottle too. Mine had a crack in it and would start to overheat after 30 mins of driving...couldnt find a stock one so I had to buy a universal from Autozone.

 

[RangerRico]

im guessing you dont have too much mechanical experience since you didnt know what a heater core is, maybe its better left to the professionals

LOL....No, I know exactly what a heater core is. The poster above my post "rdean", kind of set me up for that. His original post read: Mine was doing the same thing. Put in a new and smell is gone..

When I asked that question, I had no idea what a "new" was that he was referring to. Apparently the post got edited later on to include "heater core", as his notation in his edit includes that he added "heater core" to his post...

 

[Beanmachine7000]

My 2000 Ranger smells of antifreeze every time I drive it, haven't found a leak anywhere... Oil is perfect, not a headgasket or cracked head... Good luck...

 

[BroncoDan]

i would think that if you had a cracked head or even worn gaskets you would probably be experiencing more than just an odor in the cab.. like others have said... most likely a heater core... changing the core is the easy part... getting to it can be a bear... i wouldn't pay to have it done though... just take your time and being a dog person i would pick up a litter of kittens for kicking...

 

[Tedybear]

Heater core on the 89's are a snap. Remove the trim bit that covers the ductwork under the glove box area. Remove about 4-6 small bolts at the heater box. Remove box--heater core is right there. Probably the simplest one I've had to check (ours had the smell in the cab as well...first check? Heater core). If it's leaky? Drain coolant a bit to lower the level so you do not flood out the cab rug...Unhook both hoses, and the heater core should come out in your hand. Quickest one I've seen....

Try doing one on a late 70s early 80s chevy van....Those buggers ya gotta rip into big time.

S-