1999 Pontiac Grand AM GT - Heater Smell

1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM

110 MILES • 6 CYL • AUTOMATIC

BJSMITH112083

MEMBER
2 POSTS
FOLLOW

I have a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM GT. Recently I had to take my car in for some repairs (I took it to my local Pontiac/GMC Dealer). When I returned home with it I guess they didn't put the tubes back in right and my radiator hose came loose and radiator fluid went everywhere (my engine was smoking from burning the fluid off the engine). I took it back in and they fixed it. Recently, I have noticed that when I turn on my heater in the mornings, and move the setting from the "max air" setting to say the defrost setting, it will start to smell like burning coolant or something. I am curious about what this may be. It does not smell when I have it on the "max air" setting, only when I change it to have the air brought in from the outside, per say. Any thoughts on what this might be? Thank you in advance.

Brent

Feb 3, 2011 at 12:23 AM

BJSMITH112083

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I have read that this could be a leak in the heater core. But I would think that if this was the case the heater would smell no matter what the setting. But then again, I could be completely wrong. Thanks.

Feb 3, 2011 at 12:25 AM

DRCRANKNWRENCH

CERTIFIED EXPERT
3,380 POSTS

Since Anti-Freeze got everywhere and you still smell it when you open the Fresh Air setting, I think there is still residual fluid in the engine bay. You are correct in that there are 2 positions for fresh are and recycled air. The fresh air door is just under the wiper cowl and if the engine bay was not cleaned out it is still bringing in the Anti-Freeze smell. Try getting some engine de-greaser and clean the engine bay. Anti-Freeze can linger for a while. If the Heater Core is leaking you will eventually see a puddle under the dash from the heater box. Since you don't smell it when you are re-cycling air, I would guess that the Haeter Core is OK.

Let me know how it turns out.

Feb 3, 2011 at 3:11 AM