Hey there Jeepfolk.
In the fall I replaced my heater core (not fun) in my 2005 TJ. All looked good except I recently noticed that maple syrup smell again (this time outside the car). Looking under the hood it seems the radiator is leaking (typical signs of coolant in the seams at the top and bottom). So I"m going to swap it out for an OEM radiator. While I'm in there I'm going to replace the water pump and thermostat since I believe they are original as well. Looks like a fun project (more fun than the heater core for sure).
Anyway a few questions I was hoping you can help me with.
Can I reuse the coolant in the system when I drain it to replace the radiator? I only put it in like 4 months ago.
When I replaced the core, I flushed the system with distilled water. I was wondering if when I did that...when drained the water and filled it with 50/50 coolant in I needed to account for some water that remained in the system. Is it possible the water/coolant ratio was off because of that water in the system and I possibly had a freezing issue in the radiator? I live in a high altitude town in Colorado (near Black Bear Pass in Telluride), while it's been an unfortunately mild winter, it still gets very cold at night (though jeep is garaged). Should I have not used 50/50?
When I replaced the heater core, I cleaned the box really well, but when I run the heat there is still a faint smell of coolant coming from the ducts which is annoying (it may be getting better over time I think)? Is it possible there's remnant of the coolant mist that the leaked core created in the ducts? Can/should I clean the ducts some how?
Stupid blower fan squeaks when I have it on the lower speed setting (never did that before I replaced the core). Yes I know I should have replaced the blower too but I was trying to be economical about the whole thing. Its tolerable but wondering if its possible to do anything to fix that squeak without pulling the whole thing out again (not happening).
Anyway. Just some things I've been wondering. Any help is appreciated.
- Fish
In the fall I replaced my heater core (not fun) in my 2005 TJ. All looked good except I recently noticed that maple syrup smell again (this time outside the car). Looking under the hood it seems the radiator is leaking (typical signs of coolant in the seams at the top and bottom). So I"m going to swap it out for an OEM radiator. While I'm in there I'm going to replace the water pump and thermostat since I believe they are original as well. Looks like a fun project (more fun than the heater core for sure).
Anyway a few questions I was hoping you can help me with.
Can I reuse the coolant in the system when I drain it to replace the radiator? I only put it in like 4 months ago.
When I replaced the core, I flushed the system with distilled water. I was wondering if when I did that...when drained the water and filled it with 50/50 coolant in I needed to account for some water that remained in the system. Is it possible the water/coolant ratio was off because of that water in the system and I possibly had a freezing issue in the radiator? I live in a high altitude town in Colorado (near Black Bear Pass in Telluride), while it's been an unfortunately mild winter, it still gets very cold at night (though jeep is garaged). Should I have not used 50/50?
When I replaced the heater core, I cleaned the box really well, but when I run the heat there is still a faint smell of coolant coming from the ducts which is annoying (it may be getting better over time I think)? Is it possible there's remnant of the coolant mist that the leaked core created in the ducts? Can/should I clean the ducts some how?
Stupid blower fan squeaks when I have it on the lower speed setting (never did that before I replaced the core). Yes I know I should have replaced the blower too but I was trying to be economical about the whole thing. Its tolerable but wondering if its possible to do anything to fix that squeak without pulling the whole thing out again (not happening).
Anyway. Just some things I've been wondering. Any help is appreciated.
- Fish