Yep.. smelled a sweet smell on start up yesterday (twice).
And.... my power steering stopped working yesterday, and didn't reset with a restart like it did back when close to new. Just call me arm strong.
But fortunately the power steering did start working again after sitting for a few hours- I did pull the fuse but it was ok.
That's probably just a loose/dirty connector per what I found on here.

But the heater core concerns me since I could not find a single DIY on the net.

Is it that difficult?

FWIW- I had to remove the entire dash down to the firewall on my 1990 323 to replace the heater core. So I can do big jobs.

Just for sprites and gigabytes, what does this job cost at the dealer?

 

No responses?

I guess that means I am hosed.

Oh well.

 

Why you want to yank the heater core? Reason I'm asking is sometimes a flush will do it.

Found this in a thread and have pasted it here:

The heater core was stopped up. The dealer recommended changing the heater core but that was NOT necessary. We took off the two heater core hoses and poured about half the radiator flush direct into one of the hoses going to the heater core. We let the flush sit in the heator core for about 30 minutes then reconnected one of the heater core hoses and poured in the remainder of the radiator flush and hooked back up the second heater core hose. We started the car and let it run with the flush in the system until the heater fan started blowing hot from all vents. It took about 45-60 minutes to unclog the heater core with flush running through the system. It seemed to help more by running the rpm up to about 2000-2500 instead of letting it run at an idle. Afterwards we removed the drain **** from the bottom of the radiater and flushed the system out twice.

FYI.................during my searches I saw prices of $515 for a flush, and $1k to 1.6k to replace the heater core.


Here's the thread that I found that info, and it also contains another method fo fluching................not much about removal though.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/05-rx-8-heater-blows-cold-187497/

 

Sorry, I must not have been clear before.

I smelled coolant in the interior- which makes me think the heater core (or something close to it) is leaking. A flush won't really help... though I could flush and add some coolant sealant, but that's probably not a good idea since I've never heard anything good about long term use of that stuff (clogs rad, water pump, etc).

And fwiw- car is a 2004 6 speed with 41k miles. I bought it new.

 

UPDATE.

I only noticed the sweet smell when I start the car- the smell goes away.....

I popped the hood and stated the car, and I could smell the anti-freeze smell under the hood.
Ok- two thing: why would the cabin be pulling air from under the hood?
-And where should I look.
I poked my flashlight around and didn't see any wet spot. But it is a tight engine bay.
I have a gravel driveway, so that makes spotting leaks difficult.

 

Sounds like a great opportunity for you to contribute to the community.

 

1. Tear out entire front dash assembly
2. R&R heater core
3. Replace everything you tore out previously

 

ahh... and here I was getting 3 and 1 mixed up. I kept trying to install a new dash in my existing dash! DOH!

 

the fresh air intake for our car sometimes will pick up under the hood smells. Put the control on recirculate so it doesnt pick up outside air and see if you continue to smell the coolant. If not then you have found the problem--if you continue to smell it and see some on your carpet somewhere--do what Team said---and its a hell of a job.
I have done it and wouldnt want to do it again.
OD

 

since you obviously don't own a service manual (the first item to have if you want to perform your own repairs) I'm not surprised

 

The heater core would be the last place I'd look.

The factory service manual shows you all of your coolant lines. I would start with checking the hoses, the radiator, overflow tank, thermostat, and the thermostat housing. Check your waterpump and gasket at well.

Since your power steering went out, i'd pull the connector and clean it really well and start by checking your coolant overflow tank that's directly above it.

 

We all can't be idiot savants like you man.

 

Yeah- when I get some warm no rain weather on a Friday/Sat/Sun, I will be doing several jobs. While I have the air box out (plug wires/clean plugs) I will look around. Crap, I just remembered I need motor mounts too.

Oh- the overflow tank was very low. So there is a leak somewhere.

 

We have a service manual...

 

Well....

(googles)

Oh ****.
I didn't realize there was one that could be downloaded... (feeling stupid)

But DIYs are nice because of pics and the service manuals may not always give the most efficient way to do something.

 

Bypass the heater core supply hoses and see if the heater core was the leak?

 

Went through this about two years ago. If there's no puddle of coolant in the passenger footwell, your heater core should be fine. If there is or if the carpet is damp for no reason, get ready to tear the dash out. Its a two man job at least or a $900 affair with the dealership if you provide your own part.

 

I have been having coolant leak from behind the glove box, i was unable to find the leak until i read thsi thread.
I guess my heater core is leaking, but before i tear down everything. Can a clogged heating core cause the leak ? so i just flush it instead of replacing it. which sounds like a mess.