Check engine light came on. When durango (1999) is turned on a light dust like steam comes out of the vents and it smells like anti freeze. Diaognostics test ran and code P0505 came up.

In most cases fumes coming into the cabin thru the vents is from a leak near the engine. If the exhaust is leaking around the engine it should be fairly loud.

the smoke is probably coolant steam and the sweet smell is the unique aroma of engine coolant (anti-freeze). check the carpets, they may be wet with coolant. most likely a heater core failure.

Go to an auto parts store to get the code(s) read for free from the OBD. That will likely explain the Check Engine light (emissions related).

Also sounds like the screws weren't torqued enough (or Loc-tite not applied) by your repair mechanic.

Recall that radiator water (and anti-freeze) is what circulates in the heater core. Hopefully it is just a leaky core and turning off the heat (or shutting of that water circuit) will eliminate the smell.

Are you losing radiator water? That would be a tip-off.

Have you checked for water in the engine oil? Bad news if that's the problem.

Check the exhaust system (even if you cant hear an exhaust leak)

heater core

Holy cow you can see smells?????


haha just messing. If you have the smell of anti freeze coming through the vents it means that the heater core needs to be replaced. The heater core cycles the hot engine coolant and uses that to warm the air to give you hot air. If you can smell it it is leaking into the vent system and needs to be replaced.

Hi, steam from the vents is caused by a ruptured heater core. Please let me know if you would like instructions for replacing the core, and thanks for using FixYa.

This is most likely leaking anti-freeze from the heater coil. Radiator Stop-Leak may help but replacement will likely be expensive. When replacing the heater coil, don't fail to rinse the plenum thoroughly. If you don't do this you will forever smell the anti-freeze....It does not evaporate ! That's why it is used. In the thirties and forties, alcohol was the anti-freeze of the day and it boiled off rapidly....results sere seized engine blocks or frozen systems. Thanks to DuPont for Prestone. Take care, Paul

suspect leaking heater core.anti-freeze has a slightly 'sweet' smell,carpet on passengers side may be wet. check coolant level in radiator over-flow tank.

is it oil or anti freeze?
eirter way you have a leak!!!!!!!