Smoke/steam from vents. Heater core??
 

This morning driving into work, I noticed smoke or steam coming from my ac vents and front defrost vent (where the dash meets the windshield). I didn't smell coolant and my carpet is still dry. Could this be the start of the heater core going bad?? I'm replacing my grey & black dash with a solid black unit this weekend. I think this might be the perfect time to replace my heater core. What do you guys think??

Sounds like the heater core but it suprises me you can't smell it, but now would be the time to change it if you are taking the dash out for sure..the heater core is a PIA to get to with everything in place.

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Thanks for the reply Rick. I took it out at lunch time and no smoke or steam. Weird. I would think if I had a bad core, it would smoke constantly and your right, I should be smelling something. Any other ideas what this steam or smoke could have been??

did you have your a/c on? was it just condensation on a humid day?

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I didn't have my A/C or heat on. It didn't happen on the drive home yesterday or drive in today and still don't smell anything?? I guess my car is fixing itself!!

It was probably just the right combination of temperature and humidity causing the vapor.

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'89 LX 5.0 - 5 speed. Original Owner
'94 E-150 Conversion Van

Yeah, I've come to the conclusion that my heater core is fine. Now I need to decide if I should change it anyway since I'm going to be replacing my dash this weekend. I've had the car about 3 years. It just went over 120,000 miles. I would hate to finish my interior then have it go bad on me. Any suggestions or advice??

Hey man DO IT.

You kinda think about messing up a good thing (you know, leave well enough alone), but since you are changing your dash, definately go ahead and change your heater core. Make SURE to check the flanges THOROUGHLY on your "new" heater core and make sure to your best ability that it is indeed in good shape and not leaky.

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"Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body

A few days ago someone posted a link to a "how to" change the heater core. It mentioned that the sticky black stuff called "dumb gumb" should be scraped away and replaced, but I can't remember what they suggested. Anyone know what I mean??

yeah, as long as you have the dash off, go ahead and do it, it'll save you a headache in the long run! good luck!