Defrost Smell

[donna_n_mike]

Wow, I haven't been on here for awhile and the site looks great, although it takes forever for my computer to load everything LOL

Anyways I have a 99 Malibu with 140,xxx miles and lately when I turn on my defrost/heat (especially when the car is parked and running) there is a very strong burning smell, but when I am driving the smell isn't there. What could this possibly be? We are in a money crunch and can't really afford to take it to the dealership to be checked, beings they charge $70 alone just to look at it and diagnose it. But any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Donna

[Matt95GT]

Does it smell anything like coolant? A leaking heater core will stink up the car anytime the temp knob is turned to the hot/red side.

[donna_n_mike]

Does it smell anything like coolant? A leaking heater core will stink up the car anytime the temp knob is turned to the hot/red side.

Actually this morning I thought I could smell coolant, but then it went away to a burning smell. So where is the heater core located on this thing and is it an easy fix? What happens if I don't replace it??

Thanks!!

[Matt95GT]

No clue how to get to it in a Malibu, but in the GA it requires removing part of the underside of the dash, the center console, and some of the HVAC ducting. Coolant needs to be drained, then you simply disconnect the hoses from the underside and swap in the new one.

If you don't replace it, eventually it will leak to the point of dumping out all your coolant.

[donna_n_mike]

I just talked to a Chevy dealership...well 2 actually and one gave me an estimate for heater core & labor $865 plus tax! and the other dealership said they'd look at it for like $25 and let me know what is wrong with it...I guess I should pay to have it "diagnosed" then worry about who is gonna fix it...but $865!!! That seems like such a rip off!

[donna_n_mike]

No clue how to get to it in a Malibu, but in the GA it requires removing part of the underside of the dash, the center console, and some of the HVAC ducting. Coolant needs to be drained, then you simply disconnect the hoses from the underside and swap in the new one.

If you don't replace it, eventually it will leak to the point of dumping out all your coolant.

Isn't it hard to drain the coolant? I guess I don't know much about this stuff..

[Matt95GT]

Draining the coolant isn't hard. Most of the cost (labor) is due to the amount of time it takes to get the interior apart to get at the heater core.

The part itself is usually less than $100. That dealer quote sounds way too high... should be more like $400 max.

[donna_n_mike]

I'm not sure if its the heater core after all...I guess I should find out Wednesday for sure, but they said if its the heater core it usually will fog the windows over and such. I went out and checked my fluids and they were fine. I kinda "shook" the anti freeze tank and it wiggled...I was shocked there was some play in it..hope I didn't screw something else up! But thanks again!

[GMFWDFAN]

When my Beretta's heater core was fubared it kept the windows constantly fogged up (which sucked, because that car had no rear defroster), and it engulfed the entire interior and even the outside of the car (to a certain extent) with a STRONG anti-freeze smell. So unless the coolant smell is very strong, I doubt it's your heater core.