1998 Dodge Dakota leaking heater core

CHUCKCAM123

MEMBER
1998 DODGE DAKOTA
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
215,000 MILES

This past winter I started to smell anit freeze in the cab of my pickup. I checked under the hood and didnt find any leaks. I also checked the carpet in the cab and it wasnt wet.

I turned the a/c, vent and heater dial to off and also turned the tempature control to cold. The smell went away. If I turn the tempature control towards the warmer side of the dail, w/o turning the a/c, heater dial to on, I get the anti freeze smel again.

My questions are: what might cause this leek in the cab and how would I trouble shoot this further? How would I replace the heater core if needed?

thank you for your time and assistance.

chuck.

1 Reply

BLUELIGHTNIN6

MECHANIC
16,542 POSTS

This is caused by a faulty heater core.. Heater core replacement procedures are below.

REMOVAL/INSTALLATION:
Disconnect the battery negative cable.
Remove the instrument panel from the vehicle.
If equipped with air conditioning, recover the refrigerant.
Disconnect the liquid line refrigerant line fitting from the evaporator inlet tube.
Disconnect the accumulator inlet tube.
Drain the cooling system.
Disconnect the heater hoses from the heater core tubes.
Ram: remove the powertrain control module from the dash panel. Disconnecting wiring is not necessary.
Remove the four nuts from the heater-A/C mounting studs on the engine compartment side of the dash panel.
Remove the nut(s) that secure(s) the heater-A/C housing mounting brace to the stud(s) on the passenger compartment side of the dash board.
Pull the housing rearward far enough for the mounting studs and evaporator condensate drain tube to clear the dash panel holes.
Remove the housing from the vehicle.
Lift the heater core out of the housing.
Installation is the reverse of removal.