aluminum heater core stinks

Is there some sort of smell associated with aluminum when it gets hot?
I changed out my leaky brass heater core for a new aluminum one.
There is still a little coolant smell, but when the new core gets up
to heating temp, it really throws out a bad odor that is hard to
discribe. It isnt fungus in the climate box. It doesnt smell with a
cold engine or with the heat valve closed. What do I have here?

The aluminum does not smell, but if they left some oil or there
contaminate on it, that could be a problem. Why do you rule out a problem
in the heater box? Lots of things can get in there. Some try to take up
residence there.

--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math


"Thater" > wrote in message
om...
> Is there some sort of smell associated with aluminum when it gets hot?
> I changed out my leaky brass heater core for a new aluminum one.
> There is still a little coolant smell, but when the new core gets up
> to heating temp, it really throws out a bad odor that is hard to
> discribe. It isnt fungus in the climate box. It doesnt smell with a
> cold engine or with the heat valve closed. What do I have here?

The aluminum does not smell, but if they left some oil or there
contaminate on it, that could be a problem. Why do you rule out a problem
in the heater box? Lots of things can get in there. Some try to take up
residence there.

--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math


"Thater" > wrote in message
om...
> Is there some sort of smell associated with aluminum when it gets hot?
> I changed out my leaky brass heater core for a new aluminum one.
> There is still a little coolant smell, but when the new core gets up
> to heating temp, it really throws out a bad odor that is hard to
> discribe. It isnt fungus in the climate box. It doesnt smell with a
> cold engine or with the heat valve closed. What do I have here?

At one time the new VW cores had a protective coating that would take time
to melt(?) off. But then again you didn't say what kind of car/truck you
own.

"Thater" > wrote in message
om...
> Is there some sort of smell associated with aluminum when it gets hot?
> I changed out my leaky brass heater core for a new aluminum one.
> There is still a little coolant smell, but when the new core gets up
> to heating temp, it really throws out a bad odor that is hard to
> discribe. It isnt fungus in the climate box. It doesnt smell with a
> cold engine or with the heat valve closed. What do I have here?

At one time the new VW cores had a protective coating that would take time
to melt(?) off. But then again you didn't say what kind of car/truck you
own.

"Thater" > wrote in message
om...
> Is there some sort of smell associated with aluminum when it gets hot?
> I changed out my leaky brass heater core for a new aluminum one.
> There is still a little coolant smell, but when the new core gets up
> to heating temp, it really throws out a bad odor that is hard to
> discribe. It isnt fungus in the climate box. It doesnt smell with a
> cold engine or with the heat valve closed. What do I have here?

sorry, it is a 1982 VW rabbit pickup, 1.7 CIS, with AC. I cut a hole
in the climate box, pulled out the old core and slid the Aluminum one
in. Is there some kind of stuff that I should use to clean the new
core? It is an awful smell. I would almost associate it with melting
plastic. Is that possible? And why is it so hard to seal up the
connection between coolant hoses and the core. I always get leaks
there. Also, I have been supecting that my head gasket is gone and
therefore could be pressurizing the cooling system. Should you always
get a big fizzing burst of gasses when opening the resivior? It is
also hard to start in morning, sputters and misses, and smoke pretty
good. There is a good coolant slick under my truck. Should I retorq
the head? If I do, do I need to replace the valve cover gasket? It
is not old. What can be done with a warped head, say if mine was
found to be warped? Can they be ground down?

"Woodchuck" > wrote in message >...
> At one time the new VW cores had a protective coating that would take time
> to melt(?) off. But then again you didn't say what kind of car/truck you
> own.
>
> "Thater" > wrote in message
> om...
> > Is there some sort of smell associated with aluminum when it gets hot?
> > I changed out my leaky brass heater core for a new aluminum one.
> > There is still a little coolant smell, but when the new core gets up
> > to heating temp, it really throws out a bad odor that is hard to
> > discribe. It isnt fungus in the climate box. It doesnt smell with a
> > cold engine or with the heat valve closed. What do I have here?

sorry, it is a 1982 VW rabbit pickup, 1.7 CIS, with AC. I cut a hole
in the climate box, pulled out the old core and slid the Aluminum one
in. Is there some kind of stuff that I should use to clean the new
core? It is an awful smell. I would almost associate it with melting
plastic. Is that possible? And why is it so hard to seal up the
connection between coolant hoses and the core. I always get leaks
there. Also, I have been supecting that my head gasket is gone and
therefore could be pressurizing the cooling system. Should you always
get a big fizzing burst of gasses when opening the resivior? It is
also hard to start in morning, sputters and misses, and smoke pretty
good. There is a good coolant slick under my truck. Should I retorq
the head? If I do, do I need to replace the valve cover gasket? It
is not old. What can be done with a warped head, say if mine was
found to be warped? Can they be ground down?

"Woodchuck" > wrote in message >...
> At one time the new VW cores had a protective coating that would take time
> to melt(?) off. But then again you didn't say what kind of car/truck you
> own.
>
> "Thater" > wrote in message
> om...
> > Is there some sort of smell associated with aluminum when it gets hot?
> > I changed out my leaky brass heater core for a new aluminum one.
> > There is still a little coolant smell, but when the new core gets up
> > to heating temp, it really throws out a bad odor that is hard to
> > discribe. It isnt fungus in the climate box. It doesnt smell with a
> > cold engine or with the heat valve closed. What do I have here?

Thater wrote:
> sorry, it is a 1982 VW rabbit pickup, 1.7 CIS, with AC. I cut a hole
> in the climate box, pulled out the old core and slid the Aluminum one
> in.

Did you make this cut from the interior of the car or from the engine
compartment? If from the engine compartment, you could be drawing in engine
fumes.

> Is there some kind of stuff that I should use to clean the new
> core? It is an awful smell. I would almost associate it with melting
> plastic. Is that possible? And why is it so hard to seal up the
> connection between coolant hoses and the core. I always get leaks
> there. Also, I have been supecting that my head gasket is gone and
> therefore could be pressurizing the cooling system.

That could be a problem, and it would answer your question about coolant
hose and the core leaks.

> Should you always
> get a big fizzing burst of gasses when opening the resivior? It is
> also hard to start in morning, sputters and misses, and smoke pretty
> good. There is a good coolant slick under my truck. Should I retorq
> the head? If I do, do I need to replace the valve cover gasket? It
> is not old. What can be done with a warped head, say if mine was
> found to be warped? Can they be ground down?

It sure sounds like you may have a head problem. Don't start with the
fix however. Have the head tested. Then you will know and know what to
work on instead of guessing.

>
> "Woodchuck" > wrote in message
> >...
>> At one time the new VW cores had a protective coating that would take
>> time
>> to melt(?) off. But then again you didn't say what kind of car/truck you
>> own.
>>
>> "Thater" > wrote in message
>> om...
>>> Is there some sort of smell associated with aluminum when it gets hot?
>>> I changed out my leaky brass heater core for a new aluminum one.
>>> There is still a little coolant smell, but when the new core gets up
>>> to heating temp, it really throws out a bad odor that is hard to
>>> discribe. It isnt fungus in the climate box. It doesnt smell with a
>>> cold engine or with the heat valve closed. What do I have here?

--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

Thater wrote:
> sorry, it is a 1982 VW rabbit pickup, 1.7 CIS, with AC. I cut a hole
> in the climate box, pulled out the old core and slid the Aluminum one
> in.

Did you make this cut from the interior of the car or from the engine
compartment? If from the engine compartment, you could be drawing in engine
fumes.

> Is there some kind of stuff that I should use to clean the new
> core? It is an awful smell. I would almost associate it with melting
> plastic. Is that possible? And why is it so hard to seal up the
> connection between coolant hoses and the core. I always get leaks
> there. Also, I have been supecting that my head gasket is gone and
> therefore could be pressurizing the cooling system.

That could be a problem, and it would answer your question about coolant
hose and the core leaks.

> Should you always
> get a big fizzing burst of gasses when opening the resivior? It is
> also hard to start in morning, sputters and misses, and smoke pretty
> good. There is a good coolant slick under my truck. Should I retorq
> the head? If I do, do I need to replace the valve cover gasket? It
> is not old. What can be done with a warped head, say if mine was
> found to be warped? Can they be ground down?

It sure sounds like you may have a head problem. Don't start with the
fix however. Have the head tested. Then you will know and know what to
work on instead of guessing.

>
> "Woodchuck" > wrote in message
> >...
>> At one time the new VW cores had a protective coating that would take
>> time
>> to melt(?) off. But then again you didn't say what kind of car/truck you
>> own.
>>
>> "Thater" > wrote in message
>> om...
>>> Is there some sort of smell associated with aluminum when it gets hot?
>>> I changed out my leaky brass heater core for a new aluminum one.
>>> There is still a little coolant smell, but when the new core gets up
>>> to heating temp, it really throws out a bad odor that is hard to
>>> discribe. It isnt fungus in the climate box. It doesnt smell with a
>>> cold engine or with the heat valve closed. What do I have here?

--
Joseph E. Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

I had a blown valve steam seals on my jetta....i took the head off and took
it to a machine shop. They cleaned the head up, and shavved the bottom to
be flat. They also installed the new valves with all the new seals. So, if
its warmed it can be fixed....to a point. If you do have a head problem
(gets seriously involved) call a few local machine shops and see if they
would machine it and replace everything for you makes it real nice and
conveinent. Or just go to a car shop get it fixed as well. If you do
take it apart, be sure to make sure you untighten, and tighten the head
bolts in the correct order and torque or you'll warp the head.

Right now i have a 87 16v motor from a gti in my garage, which i was going
to supe up, but ended up selling the gti i was going to put in. Fun stuff,
but i'll get another gti, and put this bad boy in there

--
Hatch
http://www.ifeellikebitching.com
"Somestimes you just have to say something"

"Thater" > wrote in message
om...
> Is there some sort of smell associated with aluminum when it gets hot?
> I changed out my leaky brass heater core for a new aluminum one.
> There is still a little coolant smell, but when the new core gets up
> to heating temp, it really throws out a bad odor that is hard to
> discribe. It isnt fungus in the climate box. It doesnt smell with a
> cold engine or with the heat valve closed. What do I have here?