My daughter's car, a '97 Taurus GS has a white fog coming from the vents.
It's giving off a thick fog that coats the windshield and has a strong foul
smell. Anyone have any clues on what may be wrong? Don't know if it is
related but the check engine light came on for a while 2 days prior.
Thanks.


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2000 Black Lightning, Snuglid
Custom Bed Carpet
Clear Corners, Lightning banner, Hyper Whites,
Tinted Windows, Custom air intake
2" drop, VTech Taillight covers.
NLOC #377
Build Number 1405/4966
DOB 3/21/00

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heater core might be leaking anti-freeze

 

Yup. Sounds like a leaking heater core.

Check for wet carpets, too. Sometimes the leak will put anti-freeze into the passenger compartment.

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Regards,
Gordon

'99 Red Lightning
Johnny Lightning Superchip
Johnny Lighting Ram Air Kit
Century Tonneau
Best 1/4 mi. ET: 13.249 secs

 

Spiro
That's an excellent suggestion. Thanks.

 

Is the smell like almonds or something similar? If so it's likely the heater core.
A "quick fix" is to go to the parts store, get two hose clamps and a 5/8" hose coupler. Find where the two heater hoses go to the firewall, and splice them together.
This will get you by until you are able to replace/have replaced the heater core. Do not just close off the hoses with plugs, the water flowing through those hoses keeps the water in your block flowing while the thermostat is closed.

 

She says that the smell is sort of a sweet syrup'y smell. Sounds like you all are on the right track. I'll have her check it out tomorrow (she lives in Houston). Thanks again.

 

"Mom - Do you ever get that not-so-fresh feeling?"

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2001 Red Lightning Delivered 3-15-2001, Factory Tonneau, 2" Aim Lowering Shackles, Hitch Removed, Haig Floor Mats.

2000 Red Lightning - #835 of 4966 Sold 3-8-2001

2000 Red Trans Am Ram Air WS6, 6 Speed - Delivered 2-15-00 - Awesome Looking Car

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Definitely a heater core and the are hell to get at in a Taurus from what I've heard.

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without even seeing the car id say it was MOST DEFINITELY the heater core, from what your describing. like 4D said, it is a real pain in the butt job and very costly. when i get one in my shop, i send it out to be done to a shop nearby, all they do is heating and air conditioning on cars. even they say it, a taurus/sable is about the hardest car to replace the heater core, they dont even like to do it, but they do cause thats the business their in. complete job should cost you about $450-$500 bucks, so when he hits you with the price, you will have some idea of what to expect. later all, Mike

 

SLP 97 CAMARO SS GUY
Have you ever tried Barr's stop leak before?

 

hey, yes i have tried it before and a few times it did stop the leak. its good if you have a slight leak such as a tiny pinhole in the radiator. i dont like to use that stuff though if i can help it. its kind of funny looking when your pouring it out of the bottle. customers of mine who ask if there is such a product, i reccomend it, but i'd rather see them just fix it the proper way. i wouldnt use it on my car, i would just fix the leak, if the leak was able to be found, that is. im very leery of dumping certain products into my engine, or radiator for that matter, especially ones that look weird coming out of the bottle. just my 2 cents. sorry for long rambling post, just trying to give my oppinions and help ya out. : ) let us know what happens. later all, Mike

 

Yeah, definitely try pouring those little rabbit turds in there. They'll hold for awhile at least. Been years since I've had to use that stuff but it worked when I did.

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LOL 4D ; )

 

Yep, a heater core. And I replaced one in my 95 Sable. Take out the glove box door, take out the heater ducking, take out the blower motor, hello heater core.

 

i smell tuna in houston