Dex-Cool antifreeze odor

[torqueman2002]

I remember that 'regular' antifreeze has a sweet smell. My wife said like maple syrup. That was 10 miles before the windshield fogged over at 50 mph 15 years ago. LOL

But what about Dex-Cool antifreeze? Does it have a distinctive smell?

My 2013 GMC Sierra has an order once the engine is up to temperature and the heater or defroster is on.

It's not sweet like 'regular' stuff, and it gets me in the back of the throat . I have to turn it off and drive with the windows cracked.

The odor is like an 'under-hood' smell, but I don't believe there's any air leak from under-hood, because with the HVAC set to 60F and the fan off, there's no or v. little odor.

 

[jsaw]

Rotten fish
Even with your HVAC in the off position, the outside air door is open. The only time it is closed is when your a/c is in the record mode

 

[BillK]

I think is smells very similar to "regular" anti freeze. Take the lid off the overflow bottle and smell it, that way you will know for sure. Are you losing coolant ? That would also help answer your question.

 

[matt_i]

I would struggle to tell the difference between Dex and the classic yellow-green antifreeze.

One can have problems with vehicle HVAC if the drip tray for the evaporator isn't draining. SOmetimes that little flapper valve can get glued shut by some type of sludge and it backs up moisture into the HVAC box, where, stuff grows in the dark moist box and the discharged particules causes respiratory issues to some people.

The best fix is to find that flapper drain and carefully poke at it, possible air back-blast at low PSI. Not something you want to cut or damage. Its one of the first things that goes into the painted vehicle body at an assembly plant...so think of all the "stuff" that gets added to the vehicle after that...

Another fix is to inject rubbing alcohol into a vent and let it drain down into the low-point bottom, potentially killing the organic life growing there. I would do that with fan turned OFF if the route above didn't work.

 

[rlitman]

I remember that 'regular' antifreeze has a sweet smell. My wife said like maple syrup...

That's also exactly how I'd describe the smell of dexcool. It's still an EG formulation. The additives don't account for enough of the solution to affect the smell.

 

[torqueman2002]

Coolant level is normal, not changed.

Last night, we dropped the truck off for LOF and asked them to check the smell.

The shop said it is from mold, mildew on the heater/evaporator core.

Beats R&R the heater core, I trust that is really the source. We'll see and let you know.

 

[rlitman]

Ok, so you need a new cabin air filter.

 

[Wrench97]

Probably more like the Evaporator core/case that has the mold in it.

 

[rlitman]

Probably more like the Evaporator core/case that has the mold in it.

Which usually continues out to the ducts. Many people have had good luck with foaming cleaners.

 

[torqueman2002]

Sounds right.

 

[Big Cleve]

Look for a puddle under the passenger floor mat. Coolant will collect there.

 

[torqueman2002]

Yup, dry. Thanks.

 

[jsaw]

They make aerosol disinfectants that you spray into the air inlet to kill off the mold that causes the smell.

 

[torqueman2002]

Follow up.

So far the odor is gone.

Actually it's been replaced with a more pleasant 'cleaner' smell that is getting less noticeable each time I drive it.

I'm calling it fixed.