Antifreeze odor 97 F150 4x4

[deerefan]

I have a 97 F150 4x4 w/ the 4.6 and everytime I drive a while and exit the truck, I smell antifreeze. I have checked high and low, every hose, heating core and so on and cannot find a leak. The motor was replaced 2 years ago and has about 25k miles on it. The only thing I can figure is it is coming from the degas container by the driver's fender. Anyone have any thoughts??

 

[Diamondpilot]

Any drop in the fluid level?

Chris

 

[om21braz]

How good is your nose? I once had a very similiar experience. I told my father I could smell coolant when driving an auto I had years ago. With him being the auto mechanic, he took it out for a drive - no problem, no smell, no leaks. I drove it another couple weeks - still smelled it. By this time heater core had dripped a few drops in the passenger floorboard - ah ha - heater core was the culprit.

 

[deerefan]

Any drop in the fluid level?

Chris

No, none. The only thing I can figure is it is the container "degassing". The cap was replaced about 2 years ago, just before the motor. No water or coolant in the oil either.

 

[Hondapro]

How good is your nose? I once had a very similiar experience. I told my father I could smell coolant when driving an auto I had years ago. With him being the auto mechanic, he took it out for a drive - no problem, no smell, no leaks. I drove it another couple weeks - still smelled it. By this time heater core had dripped a few drops in the passenger floorboard - ah ha - heater core was the culprit.

I agree,check the heater core.

 

[boggen]

x 3 heater core check. it doesn't have to be a big leak, just a few drops. and once you get the A/C or heater or like going. it just fills the vehicle.

 

[Toyboy]

X4 heater or lines

 

[Runner]

If it's the heater core, I sure hope it's an easy job. I got lucky on my 1984 F150 and didn't have to remove anything but the glove box to get at it.

Unfortunately, I hear the later model F series requires removal of the dashboard....

Good luck.

 

[Skyco]

Luckily if the 97 is like the 96, and I believe it is, really easy job.
In fact you might just want to remove the cover and have a look.
I once changed a heater core in a Taurus about that vintage, don't want to talk about it, apparently the heater core is the first part on the assembly line then the entire car is built around it...I still twitch involuntarily when I see a Taurus:laughing:

 

[k0ua]

Had the same problem with an old Thunderbird, just a slight antifreeze smell, and finally noticed a slight amount of greasy film on the inside of the windshield. Of course it was the heater core..so completely disassembled the car, and when nothing was left bolted together, replaced the core.:laughing:

James K0UA