2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Paint Thinner Smell

2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
115,000 MILES • V6 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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ABRIESKE
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A couple months ago my vehicle started to produce a gasoline smell whenever I had the air conditioning/heat on idling at a stop sign/light or in park. Two different mechanics that I have brought my vehicle to couldn't figure it out, said they couldn't smell it. Now the smell has turned into a paint thinner smell. The smell is produced during the same conditions, the heat is on and it occurs when at stop lights/signs and when in park. I have noticed the smell when standing next to my vehicle after it being on as well, which I did not notice when it was more of a gasoline smell. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, no one has been able to help me with this and as it gets colder I would like to use my heat more. I worry that it could be something potentially dangerous for myself and my family.
Oct 2, 2014 at 5:12 PM
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CJ MEDEVAC II
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SOMETIMES SMELLS ARE SORTA DIFFERENT TO OTHER FOLKS

I'M LEANING TOWARDS THE HEATER CORE MAYBE HAVING A SMALL LEAK

REASON BEING, I'VE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE DESCRIBE OTHER WEIRD SMELLS (LIKE A DEAD RAT, A SWEET SMELL ETC), AND IT'S MOSTLY BEEN THE HEATER CORE BEING THE CULPRIT.

IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE THAT THE A/C HAS SPRUNG A SMALL LEAK IN OR NEAR THE EVAPORATOR AND YOU ARE SMELLING THE COMPRESSOR OIL

USUALLY A LEAK (AND OF COURSE CONDENSATE TOO) DROPS INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE A/C BOX AND IS EXPELLED OUT OF THE CONDENSATE DRAIN

USE A CLEAN WHITE KLEEN-EX OR EQUIVALENT AND WIPE/ CATCH SOME OF THE MOISTURE COMING OUT OF THE A/C CONDENSATE DRAIN (ON THE FIREWALL) SEE IF IS THE SAME COLOR AS YOUR COOLANT

THE VAN I DRIVE AT WORK HAS A SLIGHT HEATER CORE LEAK, I SMELL IT ONLY WHEN THE HEAT IS ON. AS FRUGAL AS THEY ARE, I'M SURE I'LL BE INSTALLING SOME KINDA "STOP LEAK" INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE CORE!

KEEP US POSTED ON THIS THREAD, YOU MAY GET OTHER REPLIES FROM OTHER FOLKS HERE

SO KEEP US POSTED ON PROGRESS

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Oct 2, 2014 at 6:12 PM
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HMAC300
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have the evap canister checked for being full of fuel from overfilling the fuel tank first
Oct 3, 2014 at 6:15 AM
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