Anti-Freeze Odors

Got a quick mystery question and I'm leaning to head gaskets..
Each day when I start my 3.5 I smell anti-freeze through my vents and it lasts for about 2 minutes and then is gone... Is this the dreading news that my lovely head gasket is slowly going to heaven?
Thanks guys! ;)

First thing that springs to my mind is that your heater core is leaking coolant somehow. But I dont even know where the heater core is on these cars.

But that would make sense though wouldnt it? If a little coolant was seeping into the heater core's airflow you would definitely smell it.

Thats just a theory though.

Hoov is right , if the smell is coming through the vents you probably have a small leak in your heater core . I don't think this is related to any head gasket problem .

Another vote for heater core here.

The two pipes that enter the firewall go straight to the heater core, so that's where it's located. I'm just not sure how much of the dash needs to be disassembled to get to it...

Thanks again Hoov! I will look into the procedures for this operation.. LOL 136K and still going quite strong so it just comes with the territory.

I'll agree the heater core is possible and when you smell coolant via the vents it is probably the first signs there is a leak. As it gets worse the coolant starts accumulating and seeping out the HVAC enclosure and typically runs under the passenger and driver side carpeting so look underneath the carpeting for coolant.

The heater core for the Intrigue or any of its GM W body sister cars like the Regal and Grand Prix is located in the lower part of the HVAC enclosure and it is a PITA to replace but DIY doable. The work is done from underneath the dash. If you have a center console that has to be removed and set aside before you can even start the removal process which involves removing at least two heater core plastic cover panels which are tedious to remove. See pics.


***56K WARNING***

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/DSC05712.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/DSC05714.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y186/lizzywiz/DSC05716.jpg

Well, it appears I am going to finally replace my heatercore on my 02 3.5 Intrigue. I have read all your posts on this task, however I was wondering if there were any purging steps I need to consider.
I just don't want to forget a specific step.
Thanks again

:biggrin: