brnmaxima

i was driving earlier today and when i pulled up to my house i started smelling radiator fluid(antifreeze coolant)..and there was like smoke or steam coming out of my vents inside the car...and the floor on the passnger side was wet...what the hell is wrong with my baby?? can someone help me!!!!!!!

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

Can you say "heater core"?

StRacer718

Yeah, that is definitely your heating coil if the inside of the car is wet. The coil sits close to that area so when it goes all the fluid pours into the cabin. Happened to my uncles Volvo like a year ago all I remember is how awful the smell was.

brnmaxima

so what ..i do i gotta do...flush or get a new heater core??

reygarcia

iTrader: (9)

Could be a hose with a hole too splashing onto the engine causing the smoke.

subs1000w

get a new heater core

and if your going to do it expect 8 to 12 hours you have to remove the whole dash to do it and hope it didnt get your ecu or any elctronics wet because they will be toasted

MaximamixaM

Sounds like a heater core, which is an expensive involved repair because the core is deep in the dash. I've heard of people bypassing the heater core in Florida vehicles as a cheap "repair", maybe someone can comment whether this could be done on a Maxima. Of course you will loose the ability to heat the car interior or defrost the windshield... Also check for broken underhood hoses, but I doubt it...

rrrfoma

or it might be an easy one. hose's clamps get loose sometimes at cold weather (especially if you replaced 'em at summer time).

brnmaxima

would sealant do anything for me...until i can get the heater core..and how much does it cost?? and can i do it myself

GRNMAXDMON

iTrader: (1)

i blocked that so now i don't have a heater. i did this cuz my a/c would only blow hot air until i blocked those two hoses now it blows cold air. but i guess its too late to do that so im not sure if u can do it or not?? good luck.

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

Sealant if improperly used (and sometimes even proplerly) can clog up your heater core and radiator and eliminate your heat entirely.
Heater core is Dealer only!
Boy does that suck
You may be able to have it resoldered at a radiator shop once you get it out

Maxima-4DSC

iTrader: (1)

ill add to the other 1000 posts and say heater core....

Cliff Clavin

iTrader: (11)

I had a mustang with a bad heater core and I bypassed it on the engine side of the firewall (I bought a "u" shaped hose and clamped it in at the entrance on the firewall) until I could afford to replace it.

You shouldn't block or clog it, because then you won't get any coolant circulation in your radiator. Basically, it would be like having a stuck thermostat.

When mine went out in the stang, I had it done by a reputable radiator place. It was much cheaper than the dealer and I had a restrictor put in because mustangs are notorious for blowing the heater cores.

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

Mustangs are notorious for being #### a$$ cars period.

GRNMAXDMON

iTrader: (1)

so i should install a "u" shaped hose to bypass it and not have it blocked like i do now?

internetautomar

iTrader: (30)

Install a "U" it's better for your engine because that way the coolant still flows normal

GRNMAXDMON

iTrader: (1)

i can get that "u" shaped hose at a local auto parts store or at a hardware store?

Kyle

The same thing happened to me in my thunderbird and my pulsar. Both of them, consequently, blew head gaskets and the pulsar cracked the block. Thus was the end of my first two cars.