The smell of something burning

MANUEL ACEVES

MEMBER
1997 TOYOTA CAMRY
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
100,000 MILES

I started to smell something burning then I noticed light smoke coming out of the AC vents. I did not have the AC, fan or heater on at the time and the smoke also came out from underneath the driver side steering wheel area. I stopped the car and open the hood and did not see anything that was smoking also the temperature gauges did not show that the vehicle was hot or it was not overheating or the rpm's were not running high or just like smoke gently coming out of the vents.

7 Replies

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

Sort of sounds like a heater core with a pinhole in it.

It really would not smell like smoke, it would be a peculiar scent, some say it is sort of a sweet smell.

Sometimes other close by opinions might pin it down. Friends/experienced auto store guy/a mechanic that might make a quick diagnosis.

Sometimes it is not the core itself, it might be a leaky heater hose connection to the heater core. This might run in onto the core and steam from the heat.

If it is a really small leak, it might be "steaming" off of the hot heater core (no liquid dribbling down).

A larger leak might drip into the heater compartment and exit through the A/C condensate drain (where your A/C normally drips on the ground). If you catch some on a white paper towel/napkin, and it has the color of your coolant, this may verify that it is the core.

If you really think it is smoke-smoke (electrical) I would cease driving it, disconnect the battery, until a mechanic can check it out.

The Medic

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Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 7:54 PM

MANUEL ACEVES

MEMBER
7 POSTS

Thank you very much for your fast reply and you know come to think of it I have been smelling coolant, engine coolant smell when I get out of my car after driving on the freeway. I also had to start topping off my coolant reservoir like once a week maybe that is the problem. Every time I would smell the coolant I would go crazy looking for a leak in the engine or on the ground and I can never find anything. Thank you very much, this is a great idea. Whoever came up with this, thank you very much I have another question for you I will submit it thanks a million.

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Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 AT 10:35 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

You sort of already know that you have a coolant loss issue. As far as verifying that it might be the core. You might run a pressure test. I have a link for you:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

This will verify that there is a leak somewhere!

Let's add another factor in, take the two hoses loose from the core (or close to it).

Tie them together with a hose coupling (auto parts store).

Now the heater core has been bypassed and is no longer part of the equation.

Run the test once more (my link above).

If it holds pressure this time, the core is most likely the villain!

If it leaks down, gonna have to continue the search.

Let us know how it all turns out.

The Medic

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Thursday, February 1st, 2018 AT 3:21 PM

MANUEL ACEVES

MEMBER
7 POSTS

Yes, just to give you an update or turns out that it is a leaking heater core. When I went to go check out the area where it is at when I pulled the carpet on the driver side of the floor was underneath the the top carpet underneath is drenched soaked black with coolant. So that is the problem and thanks a lot you got it right on the nose. You are the best man. Thank you very much.

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Thursday, February 1st, 2018 AT 10:05 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
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We all here at 2carpros appreciate you trying us out.

Thanks for the complement!

Please be sure to tell your family and friends how to hook up with us!

Thanks a bunch!

The Medic

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Friday, February 2nd, 2018 AT 5:30 PM

MANUEL ACEVES

MEMBER
7 POSTS

I would like to know if you know the sizes of the inlet and out of the heater core coolant hoses because I want to bypass the heater core and I can not find anywhere the dimensions of the hoses would you by any chance know where I might be able to find it I can't find them anywhere. I have spent a couple of hours trying to find it sizes but no luck. Because I figure I could drive the car and let the carpet dry out and when I have the time to go change the new heater core. I also want to AutoZone to try to actually look at the hoses the new ones to see what the sizes are AutoZone says that they don't know what two sizes are they didn't have the hoses and they don't have coolant hose connectors which surprised me. I saw a video on YouTube how a guy bypassed is heater core for the same reason that I want to do it and he had a U-shaped hose and adapters at all that and I asked AutoZone at they had no idea what I was talking about can you give me some suggestions thank you

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Wednesday, February 21st, 2018 AT 4:17 AM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
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Look at the bottom of this link.

Specs on one of the hoses

https://www.autozone.com/cooling-heating-and-climate-control/hose-heater/dayco-hose-heater-/130241_391162_0

The store in my town has/ had a plastic suitcase type box with all kinds of fittings, elbows, tees, couplings, etc. This "tee" in the link is design they have and there were various sizes also. Might have to try other stores in your area.

https://www.autozone.com/fittings-and-hose-line-connectors/hose-fitting/help-hvac-heater-hose-connector/439283_0_0

Once you find a source for your fittings and have choices for the sizes,

It might come down to cutting your hoses at the proper lengths and trial and error for the fittings to fit in them. This might be OK if you have alternate transportation or if you just wanna "over purchase" the goodies and return the ones you did not use!

The Medic

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Wednesday, February 21st, 2018 AT 3:47 PM