I have a 1993 ford taurus 3.8L V6 automatic GL. Everytime I drive it I can smell antifreeze. this is all year around. I have had my radiator replaced about 1 1/2 years ago. My water pump was replaced about one month ago. I have checked all of my hoses for leaks. I have checked my antifreeze reservior for leaks also. I haven’t checked my heater core yet because of where it is located. What could be the reason for the antifreeze smell?
Yes the core is a likely candidate. They are not fun to change. Look for an eight hour labor charge.
Also do a search on youtube for Taurus heater core replacement. There’s a video that shows a guy who says he can do one on a newer style Taurus in 1-1/2 hours. I don’t know if his directions apply to your earlier model.
Yes the heater core is a prime suspect.
I had to replace the heater core on my '86 Taurus, and I believe that they tend to be problematic as the car ages. This replacement is not for the shadetree mechanic, unfortunately, as it entails removing the dashboard and other large components.
I strongly urge you to verify a.s.a.p. whether the heater core is leaking, as inhaling aerosolized antifreeze is not good for the lungs. I wound up with pneumonia after a few months of breathing that stuff.
Carefully check the carpet in the passengers foot-well. Is it damp with anti-freeze? Are you losing antifreeze? To postpone an expensive repair, you could try a bottle of Bars-Leaks…Or disconnect both heater hoses and connect them together with a hose splicer, bypassing the heater completely… This works until about mid October…
You know the only problems I have heard related to ethyoline glycol were vision problems or death illness by ingestion, I do not doubt your story and wish if that is an associated symptom it was more widely publicized,