2001 Mitsubishi Diamante LS

LITTLEFLY

MEMBER
2001 MITSUBISHI

Hello,

I have a 2001 Mitsubishi Diamante LS 66,000 Miles 3.5L V6 MPI DOCH 24V. There is an antifreeze odor when you turn on the a/c even tho the car isn't loosing antifreeze, also it won't blow air out the center vents or up to defrost the windows and it won't defrost the window whether you put it on heat or cold (I don't know if this is just because it doen't seem to blow out the defrost vents or if that is part of the symptoms). The air seems cold that is coming out the side vents, but with it not working with the other vents it is hard to tell. I hope you can help me, let me know if there is any other info you need.

Thanks,
Sally

1 Reply

D_DRIVER

MEMBER
1 POST

I have a 2001 Diamante ls. I just had a similar problem. These cars have a problem with the o-rings in the heater core. The bad news is the heater core is over the computer that controls the cars electronics. If you are smelling anti-freeze, maple syrup smell, it may your heater core is bad or just the o-rings in it. It doesn't really matter because the dash has to come off either way to fix this. The heater core costs about 200.00 more than the o-rings but most mechanics will insist you replace the heater core even if it is just the o-rings because you have already paid for the labor to get there. I would check the posts on the diamante owners website. A lot of information there. Also make a report to the NHTSA if this is the problem. It is a very big health concern if you are breathing antifreeze. I just bypassed my heater by disconnecting the hoses at the fire wall and linked them to each other with a coupling. This solved my problem but I live in Florida and only need the A.C. Most of the time. Not worth spending the money to fix it right now. Later I may take apart the dash myself. Not a task I relish the thought of. Make sure you pull up your carpeting under the glove compartment and put some towels on the batting under it to soak up any antifreeze that may have leaked out of the heater core. This will help get rid of the smell after you fix the leaking problem. Good luck.