I had my a/c compressor replaced twice this year on my 97 Passat GLX, used ones both times, the second one seemed to take and has worked very well for the past three months. Not sure if that has anything to do with my problem...

Yesterday I had the air on and noticed an anti-freeze smell, then about 10 minutes later smoke started coming out the vents, even when I turned off the a/c, turned off the fan off, and closed the vents. It's coming out pretty strong now and is fogging up the windshield. The level of anti-freeze in the overflow bottle hasn't moved. I assume there's abviously a leak somewhere where fluid is hitting something hot , then finding it's way through the ventilation system, maybe in the heater/fan chamber (if there is such a thing?). Any ideas on the issue, or where to start. Appreciate the help

Dave

 

heater core is bad

 

So I see replacement cores on ebay, not too expensive. Worried about what kind of time and effort it's going to take to replace,manual says to remove instrument panel and pinch hoses, and replace with new fluid...seems the install is straightforward, how difficult a job is it though to remove the instrument panel? Txs

Dave

 

instrument panel= complete dash removal

 

I was following this thread because I have the same problem with my 97 Passat. I knew the heater core was bad, because it had been bypassed already. But I need heat - even in South Florida - becuase my A/C compressor is so darn efficient that it turns my little Passat into a meat locker (wouldn't everyone like to have that problem in South Florida?)

But AAAAAARRRRGGGHHH! You're kidding! I have to take the WHOLE DASH OUT!?

That's a two-day job for a shade-tree mechanic like me! Are you sure there are no shortcuts?

 

nope i have done a dozen of these and they are so far in there there isn't any other way