URGENT-99 Toyota Camry LE, V6, Coolant Smell, Passenger Area

1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
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KIRTANMAN
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Hello,

Marked URGENT, because I'm on a cross-country road trip, and have one more full day (about 400 miles) of driving ahead of me.

Last night, after about 400 miles of driving (fifth consecutive day), I noticed a strong coolant smell inside the passenger area of the vehicle.

Yes, I was operating the heater (and had run the A/C during the day - currently in TN, fairly warm during day, cold at night).

This morning, I started the car, popped the hood, and inspected everything I could think of (coolant, oil, leaks, temp. gauge (inside car), sniffed for smell inside and out, checked for pooled coolant anywhere, checked hoses (connections, for holes) that I could easily see (hose inspection wasn't complete or professional ... just the best I could do as a "non car guy", with a fairly surface level inspection).

My MAIN question is: if I watch coolant levels, should the car be safe to drive (the 400 miles today gets me to my destination, where I can address the issue, as needed).

Beyond that, any other suggestions (is it safe to leave for a while? What is the likely cause, etc.?)

Heater Core seems to be the main theory, around the web (and opinion seems to be, it's okay to drive, watching coolant).

I have to check out of my motel in just over an hour (Noon, CST, today, 02/28) -- so any answers before then, would be awesome - thanks.)

I should also note: I'm on an ULTRA-tight budget - so please factor that into your answer (if I could just plunk down a credit card to get the car checked out, I would - but don't have that option).

Thanks very much!
Feb 28, 2007 at 10:49 AM
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CHEVY22
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check for wetness on the passengers side carpet or floor mat , it seems the heater core may be leaking internally , if you need a quick fix you could clamp off the heater core hoses or get a 2 dollar bypass hose from the parts store and put both heater hoses on that bypassing the heater core but still having flow everywhere else , as far as the trip keep you eye on the coolant every once in a while , a neglected leak could cost you big if unattended to

thanks , jim

oh and if you are happy with the info please leave some feedback we all donate out time here helping people for free
Feb 28, 2007 at 10:54 AM
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KIRTANMAN
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Thanks, Jim!

I'm very "non-mechanical", and not sure how to manage the by-pass clamp fix you advise (though can presumably figure it out, with a bit of time.)

My question for now:

WITHOUT doing that fix, should the car be okay to drive, checking coolant levels, every so often? If so, how often? (Once an hour?)

Also, does running (or not) the A/C or Heat make a difference .... I can adjust, as needed (i.e. wear jacket in car, not run heater).

**

EDIT: 12:10 PM, CST -- I checked passenger side floor, and it's completely dry. So, as far as I can tell, except for the smell itself (noticed last night, but not this morning, with the car running for a few minutes) - there aren't any other "telltale" signs of a major problem (though don't know that for sure --- hence my posts here.) Thanks Again.
**

Thanks again for any additional help!

K.

PS - I will gladly make a small donation in the near future (+/- 2 weeks). I am currently unemployed, and on a critically tight budget (hence the nature of the "what can I get by with?" aspect of my questions). Thanks Again!
Feb 28, 2007 at 11:03 AM
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CHEVY22
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
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the bypass fix is minimal you would need a screwdriver and a pair of pliers , its really like a "t"you would take off the hhoses at the heater core located on the firewall and place them on the t with two clamps totally eliminating the heater core and heat?? the cooling system is under constant pressure and the leak may get worse quick or it may not , if you keep and eye on the guages and check the coolant once an hour unless the leak gets worse i would suspect you could make the trip, oh and the doantion is up to you the feedback to me is just saying i helped you thanks jim t inbetween the heater hoses


https://images.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/59481_MigsHeaterCoreCleaning_04_1.jpg

Feb 28, 2007 at 11:11 AM
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