With the weather cooling down, your automobile is going to start to rely on the heater core to produce warm air inside the passenger cabin. Unfortunately, if your heater core is bad, you may end up with cold air blowing through the vents. This is just one sign that you need a new core. Here are other signs.
Low Coolant Levels/Overheating
The heater core takes advantage of the hot engine coolant before it is cooled off by the radiator. It is the coolant’s last stop before it returns to the radiator. One of the most common problems with a heater core is that it will start to leak. When this happens, you end up with low coolant levels in the engine. Naturally, this will cause the engine to run hotter than it normally does.
Soggy Carpet/Floorboard
You may also realize that the heater core is leaking if you have a soggy carpet or a soggy floorboard on the passenger side of your vehicle. The core is located on this side. It is located underneath the dashboard. Consequently, when it springs a leak, the floorboard can get wet. It’s important to have the core replaced as soon as possible to avoid additional coolant loss and engine damage.
Inability to Heat the Cabin
As we mentioned in the introduction to this blog post, if the heater core needs to be replaced, you will likely be unable to warm up the inside of your automobile. Whether the core is leaking or clogged, the air will not have the hot engine coolant that it needs to increase its temperature. Consequently, you will end up with a cold inside of the vehicle when it is cold outside.
Sweet/Musty Air Odors
Whether the air is cold or hot, if it smells musty and sweet, the core is leaking. The sweet odor that you detect is the odor of engine coolant. You never want to smell the coolant coming out of the vents. It’s important to head straight to our shop if you can smell the engine coolant. This is not only a sign that the core is leaking but could also indicate a leak in the cooling system.
Slimy Fog Build-Up on the Windows
Finally, if the coolant is flowing through the vents, you will end up with a slimy fog build-up on the windows. The coolant will make the air extremely humid and will make its way to the windows where it will settle on them. Using your defroster will not help.
We can help, however. Give us a call if you believe that you need a new heater core installed in your automobile.