2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee Paint Thinner Smell

ABRIESKE

MEMBER
2004 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
115,000 MILES

A couple months ago my vehicle started to produce a gasoline smell whenever I had the air conditioning/heat on idling at a stop sign/light or in park. Two different mechanics that I have brought my vehicle to couldn't figure it out, said they couldn't smell it. Now the smell has turned into a paint thinner smell. The smell is produced during the same conditions, the heat is on and it occurs when at stop lights/signs and when in park. I have noticed the smell when standing next to my vehicle after it being on as well, which I did not notice when it was more of a gasoline smell. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, no one has been able to help me with this and as it gets colder I would like to use my heat more. I worry that it could be something potentially dangerous for myself and my family.

2 Replies

CJ MEDEVAC II

MEMBER
222 POSTS

SOMETIMES SMELLS ARE SORTA DIFFERENT TO OTHER FOLKS

I'M LEANING TOWARDS THE HEATER CORE MAYBE HAVING A SMALL LEAK

REASON BEING, I'VE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE DESCRIBE OTHER WEIRD SMELLS (LIKE A DEAD RAT, A SWEET SMELL ETC), AND IT'S MOSTLY BEEN THE HEATER CORE BEING THE CULPRIT.

IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE THAT THE A/C HAS SPRUNG A SMALL LEAK IN OR NEAR THE EVAPORATOR AND YOU ARE SMELLING THE COMPRESSOR OIL

USUALLY A LEAK (AND OF COURSE CONDENSATE TOO) DROPS INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE A/C BOX AND IS EXPELLED OUT OF THE CONDENSATE DRAIN

USE A CLEAN WHITE KLEEN-EX OR EQUIVALENT AND WIPE/ CATCH SOME OF THE MOISTURE COMING OUT OF THE A/C CONDENSATE DRAIN (ON THE FIREWALL) SEE IF IS THE SAME COLOR AS YOUR COOLANT

THE VAN I DRIVE AT WORK HAS A SLIGHT HEATER CORE LEAK, I SMELL IT ONLY WHEN THE HEAT IS ON. AS FRUGAL AS THEY ARE, I'M SURE I'LL BE INSTALLING SOME KINDA "STOP LEAK" INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE CORE!

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THE MEDIC

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