# Why do I always smell antifreeze while driving my 93 taurus? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** ford, taurus\ **Created:** [May 31, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-do-i-always-smell-antifreeze-while-driving-my-93-taurus/49660 "2010-05-31T20:17:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![russharv63](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@russharv63](https://community.cartalk.com/u/russharv63)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-do-i-always-smell-antifreeze-while-driving-my-93-taurus/49660/1 "2010-05-31T20:17:08Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![MG-McAnick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mg-mcanick/32/188_2.png) [@MG-McAnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MG-McAnick)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 8:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-do-i-always-smell-antifreeze-while-driving-my-93-taurus/49660/2 "2010-05-31T20:21:19Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![waterboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/waterboy/32/764_2.png) [@waterboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/waterboy)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 8:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-do-i-always-smell-antifreeze-while-driving-my-93-taurus/49660/3 "2010-05-31T20:41:04Z")
Yes the heater core is a prime suspect. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 9:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-do-i-always-smell-antifreeze-while-driving-my-93-taurus/49660/4 "2010-05-31T21:29:02Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 9:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-do-i-always-smell-antifreeze-while-driving-my-93-taurus/49660/5 "2010-05-31T21:42:34Z")
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… ---
**Author:** ![waterboy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/waterboy/32/764_2.png) [@waterboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/waterboy)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 9:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-do-i-always-smell-antifreeze-while-driving-my-93-taurus/49660/6 "2010-05-31T21:45:07Z")
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,