Heater blows smoke

[brokedown]

When I run my ranger smoke comes out of the vents. It smells somewhat like sugar when it is burning. Anyone else ever have something like this happen? Just asking before I tear into my heater core to see if the previous owner dropped a box of Lemonheads into it?

 

[chvlfrk]

Bad News!

Heater core is bad and those fumes your callin smoke, can be toxic

 

[srteach]

What he said above. That "smoke" is actually coolant steam and includes poisonous chemicals. More rapidly toxic to children / babies (if you have any around). Get it fixed or short circuit the heater to bypass the cabin heater core (no heat, but not poisonous).

 

[brokedown]

Thanks for the heads up. I will make it a priority to fix as I continue the project.

 

[fili450r]

haha, mine has the same problem!!! and this is just days after changing the water pump (and earning a busted knuckle *green belt*) mine didnt smell like sugar being burnt as much as it smelled like watered down coolant being burnt (figures that was the problem too!!)

how hard of a change is it?

cause i changed the heater core in a '97(ish) Blazer, and that was PITA to say the least...more like something bent me over and stuck it in me sideways, TWICE!!! hahaha,

 

[creepinjeepster]

Not that hard. Last one I changed took about four hours on a 93 Ranger.

 

[heptofite]

i changed one in fifteen minutes on a gen1, and he's got a gen1, good luck sir.

 

[93Ranger4x4]

Gen 1's heater cores are extremely easy to change, i had an 87 that needed one and i think it took maybe a half hour(first time changing one), now on the 95 and up, thats the real PITA, i have not had to do this with my 96 yet(knock on wood), but ive heard you need to remove the entire dash on the 95 and up just to replace it.

 

[MountainMike]

Gen 1's heater cores are extremely easy to change, i had an 87 that needed one and i think it took maybe a half hour(first time changing one), now on the 95 and up, thats the real PITA, i have not had to do this with my 96 yet(knock on wood), but ive heard you need to remove the entire dash on the 95 and up just to replace it.

It's true unfortunately

 

[countryboy]

on a gen one remove the hoses from underneath the hood bay. then for more access remove the glove box then there is about 8-10 bolt holdinga cover on the the bottom of your heater box remove these and it revils the heater core remove and install new one. i dreaded to install the one on my lod 88 for six months due to pure fear but once i did it it was a breeze now the 00 mustang i installed one in a month ago took 8 hours everything had to go on it but with a first gen it a breeze. soory for the long post just got typeing happy

 

[Duggo]

If it is actually smoke, remove your heater fan blower, remove the leaves, and change your resistor.