I think my heater core's gone on my w126.

I get an odd smelling oder (what I think coolant would smell like) when I turn the heat on.

Is there any other cause of this? I've heard putting a new core in requires taking the dash out; anyone got a tutorial on that?

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-1983 VW Rabbit LS Diesel (5speed, VNT/Giles build)

I don't know how easy/hard it is to isolate the heatercore & do a pressure test on it.
Would be my first move.

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2007 C 230 Sport.

Almost certainly the heater core. Probably worthwhile checking the heater hoses and clamps under the hood - sometimes you get lucky.

This is bad news, as ethelyne glycol is quite toxic. I've read that ingesting it as a vapor is an especially effective way to poison yourself. If it were my vehicle, I would cease using the heater until it is repaired.

Here's the wikipedia reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene_glycol

It hasn't seen cold enough weather to need a heater.


I got my Diesel before it got cold.


It's been unregistered since September. I'm just trying to get it running decent enough to sell.

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-1983 VW Rabbit LS Diesel (5speed, VNT/Giles build)

Put the inlet/outlet heater hoses together with a short piece of pipe/clamps and tell the next owner you have a core leaking..that will leave you with no heat, but the leak/fumes will be gone......

Try's some Bars stop leak for a cheap fix.