2010 Ranger 4X4 4.0L Extended cab
Truck is only two weeks old. Probably once or twice each time while driving it on a 45 minute ride I get a slight wiff of antifreeze, you know the sweet smell. The smell seems to be coming from the upper left vent but it is so slight I can't say for sure.I checked down around the heater vent to see if it the heater core was leaking but so far have found nothing. I hope this is normal because otherwise it can't be good. Any thoughts?

 

i'd get more evidence of a leak and bring it in to your dealer.

 

Where would be the most likely places to look for a leak? I've checked the obvious - nothing dripping on the ground. If the smell is making it into the cab, does that mean the leak is in the heater core area? Not so easy to check that area without tearing a bunch of stuff out right?

 

pull up your carpet on the pass floor, or rubber mat... and look under it to see if its wet thats where the core leaks.. and if its gone its an expensive job..too bad u werent closer if its blown im real good at them

 

Is the reservoir overfilled ?

 

if it was gone, it'd be covered under the warrenty.

 

true^

 

There is 2" of antifreeze in the reservoir and the radiator is full (cool). I wonder if there could have been some kind of spill during the final setup of the vehicle and all I'm smelling now is when it heats up and evaporates...or is that wishful thinking...By why does the radiator show full if there is any kind of leak?

 

id could just be a small one, but idk

 

i had the same problem with my old 08 reg cab

it turns out that the coolant heats up the plastic tanks of the heater core,, and small amounts of hot coolant leak out at any given time

his advise was to only cycle the heat when you absolutely need it
( ford saving money there )

 

Get it hot and pressure test it. If you can detect the leak or hear it in the cab, try it cold.

 

Warranty Time

 

my 09 did it too never used the heat until 4 mo after i got it first first like 10 times i used it i smelld it. but not anymore

 

I've had small leaks in heater core on my old Ranger and you could smell it, but there was no fluid on the carpet, but when I pulled the heater core out, there was fluid leaking on the frame surrounding the heater core. If it's really leaking, you'll note a decrease in fluid in the reservoir.

 

do not pressure test it hot, that's just screaming burns.... if you have a proper pressure tester, it should do the exact same cold as hot...

 

I'm hoping this is the case here also. I did the 45 minute drive this morning with the heater going strong. No smell of antifreeze. Maybe I'm getting close to the 10th time. I do understand that if the problem recurs it will be a warranty issue. The only problem with that is it has to be identifiable or be duplicatable (if that's a word) when I take it in.

By the way, thanks you guys. Its makes me feel better to know that there are helpful people out there who are willing to share their experience and knowledge on these types of problems. It sure beats trying to tackle them alone.