Defogger Heater problems of the 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante - part 1

Foggy window, antifreeze smell through vent, passenger side floor damp/wet. Was told by dealer that heatercore o-rings and heatercore possibly needs to be replaced. Looking for alternative solution to resolve the problem.

The heater core. I start smelling an antifreeze smell inside the car then the check engine soon light came on. Also the tcl is on. The dealer said that it is a wheel sensor that will run me $625. The heater core is $1,200. Every one that I talk to on the email sight is having the same problem. Please help! thanks.

Started smelling "maple syrup" in passenger compartment. Windows were fogging up easily. This was confirmed by dealer to be the heater core leaking antifreeze, and service cost $1,100.

The windshield fogs up for no reason and I am not able to defog it. It is very hard to see any time the heat is on. I am told it may be the heater core.

The contact owns a 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante. The check engine light began illuminating, the heater coil was leaking, and the windows were steaming. The contact smelled a foul odor coming from the vehicle. A mechanic diagnosed that the heater core needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 67,800 and current mileage was 67,990.

Windshield fog, sweet syrup smell.

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante 65k miles. Failure of heater core/ heater core gaskets/ o-rings. Windshield will not defog, strong coolant odor and residue on windshield and side windows. Resulted in dangerously low visibility while driving. Windshield too foggy for safe driving. Strong smell of antifreeze in passenger compt. Had to open windows in sub freezing temp to get fresh air to passenger compt while driving. Cost to repair estimated $800-$1100. Problem appears to be widespread based on complaints filed at this NHTSA site as some complaints are categorized under different component names but have same problem descriptions. Greater than 60 complaints by my count for 2002 model year alone on relatively low number of vehicles sold in us.

Heater core - the air that comes out the vent when I turn my heater on, smells like antifreeze. My windows fog up and I work at night. Its kind of hard to keep wiping down the windshield consistently with my hand while driving.

Fall of 2007, noticed increased fogging of windows that did not go away with defroster, fresh air. Began to smell sweet, syrupy smell. November 07, heat refused to work, checked antifreeze level, very low. Windows continuing to not be cleared. Oily film covering windows. Currently, I have not had complete failure of heater or computer module. I have researched this problem on the Diamante owners web site. My problems mirror exactly as fellow posters. November 29, 2007, I pulled back the carpet to inspect computer module and heater core area, there is gunky green ooze on the floor and on the computer module. I am currently in the position of researching the best way to have problem fixed, whether at the dealer, another auto shop, or self repair.

02 Diamante with approx 42, 000 ml - upon starting the car the front window begins fogging up and the entire car then fills with steam that is sweet but overwhelming. It gets so bad it is nearly impossible to see out the front windshield and then the smell overwhelms you within about 5-10 minutes forcing the driver to pull over or drive with the windows down (not easy at 18 deg outside and 2 kids under 5 in the back). Symptoms indicate that this is a heater core problem that dealers are aware of and is a very common problem that they see approx 2-3 times a month with a charge of $1000. 00 - $1400. 00 to fix and that if not fixed then the main computer for the car would short out. So just looking at 1 dealer low end numbers: 2 heater cores per month * $1200= $2400*12months = $28,800 a year per dealer for a known problem. Also medically speaking breathing anti-freeze may cause irritation of the nose and throat with headache, particularly from mists. High vapor concentrations caused, for example, by heating the material in an enclosed and poorly ventilated workplace, may produce nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness and irregular eye movements. For healthy people this is problem what about those with compromised immune systems.

I have a heater core failure in my 2002 Diamante. I now have antifreeze leaking into my passenger side floor. I have an antifreeze smell and smoke coming from the vents in the car. I got low on antifreeze and almost overheated on the belt parkway. It is very hard to see at night because windows will fog up and defroster makes problem worse. I have been told the cars computer is positioned under the heater core so I have to hope I do not have a computer issue as my service light has gobne on as well> I have had to replace 3 engine sensors in the last few months ( the heater core issue could be the root cause). This is a very serious situation and needs to be addressed. I see alot of the complaints for this model are for this issue. There are many people with this issue.

I have a 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante. I have kept regular maintenance. I am submitting this form because of a heater core issue I am having. However I have had the following problems with this car. All these problems seem to be recurring problems that happen to many people with this model. At least that is what I find when I search the issues on the internet 1- vibration in steering wheel --this happened multiple times after taking car back to dealer-it appears there is a known issue with the rotors in this car. After having the rotors cut twice by the dealer with no long lasting success. I had to have the brakes and rotors replaced by a mechanic ( car had less the 10,000 miles when issue started happening) 2- rusted muffler--not sure if this issue happens often but after 23,000 miles I had to have my muffler replaced because there was a hole rusted through the top of it-I was told this could happen for not using the car very much in the winter time( road salt can cause the rust) 3- heater core- I know have a heater core problem in this car. I have antifreeze leaking in passenger compartment. I have an antifreeze smell in the cabin of the car. My windows fog and the defroster will not clear the windshield ( makes it worse). I am low in antifreeze because of this. My service engine light has now come on and I am told this can be caused by leaking antifreeze onto the computer which is positioned under the heater core. This issue is widely reported on the internet in many forums and seems everybody with a Diamante will eventually have this problem. I am being told this repair can cost over 1,000 dollars 4-I have had to replace 3 sensors in the engine 2 egr and 1 idle sender (cost around 1,500 dollars). This may or may not be because of the heater core issues causing the cars computer to fail.

My heater core requires replacement. A few weeks ago my windshield became hazy and difficult to defrost. I did not realize it was from toxic anti-freeze leaking into the car.

Symptoms: constant nauseating smell like "burnt syrup" inside cabin, fogging of windshield on dry, warm weather day. From the many other complaints filed with NHTSA, this is a classic heater core failure. Why has there not been a recall issued? this is potential serious health and vehicle operation safety issue!.

Heating core going bad, window shield fogs up and cannot wipe ways easily, vapors coming from under dash, syrup smell is strong and only when heat is on.

Bad heater core, leaking o-rings.

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante heater core leakage.

Heater core failure.

Foggy spots on front windshield, syrup like smell, and vapors blown through front vents. Heater core gasket leaked coolant fluid into car dripping on passenger side, found fluid underneath carpet. Mitsubishi dealership replaced heater core.

Heater core problem. Window fog. Anti freeze smell in side of cabin. Extended warranty is not cover. Only 28800 miles 2002 Diamante.

Windows will not defrost and odor coming from vents. Also puddle of anti-freeze on passenger floor. Did not think problems where related but they are. Heater core gasket leaking and causing the problems. $1 gasket and $700+ labor. This is a scam from the dealership, exploit a unsafe defect and then charge an arm and a leg to get it fixed. Next they will charge for the air we breathe.

Leakage of antifreeze ( engine coolant) into the passenger compartment of vehicle. The coolant smell was apparent within the car.

Car cabin has strong odor of antifreeze when using the heater. Windows have difficulty DE-fogging and after contacting service department, was told that it would be over $1000 to fix. As I dug deeper into my problem, I found that I am not the only owner of my vehicle that has had this problem, and my repair forum had this link to file a report.

Noticed anti-freeze smell within the vehicle. Windshield fogging up and heater was not working properly. Took to dealership and was told o-rings needed replaced. Advised work was completed, charged $652. 97, and the next day still experiencing the same problems. Contacted the dealership. They are going to investigate further.

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante - heater core, bought used from mitsu dealer, found heater core hoses disconnected & bypassed. Evidence of past leak on/near ecu. $1000. 00 to repair at independent garage.

Windows were not clearing properly and smell of anti-freeze was very strong. Upon calling the Mitsubishi dealer, I was told, it's probably the heater core. I ask if this is normal for a car three years olds with approximately 45,000 miles. Dealer said they had seen a few. They haven't been much help yet.

Heater core in '02 Mitsubishi Diamante leaked causing windows to fog and anti-freeze to leak into passenger compartment.

Complaint description: noticed faint smell of anti freeze approximately 9 months ago. Had problems with defroster clearing windows. Also, seemed to get better (or maybe I got used to the smell). Now noticed passenger side floor carpet is soaked with anti freeze. Obviously a problem with the heater core or the hose(s) which connect to it are leaking. Car has 55000 miles, and is well maintained. I called local Mitsubishi dealer to schedule a repair. Hoping they can repair this at little or no cost to me as this is an obvious defect in parts or installation. All local Mitsubishi dealer said that this will cost we about $1200. I see alot of complaint of this type should this be a recall?.

Notice thick residue on front window and was not able to remove it with defogger. Notice lose of antifreeze which caused over heating and potential engine ceasing. Then noticed passenger side carpet was full of anti-freeze. After intense cleaning and attempts to fix the problem, it still emits a maple syrup anti freeze toxic fume.

I have a 2002 Mitsubishi Diamante with a failed heater core. Smelled antifreeze for awhile, then one evening, it was coming out of my air vents and fogging up my windshield - except it wasn't "fog" but antifreeze mist that would not go away, so I have to drive with my head out the window till I got it home and wiped it down. Apparently this is a very common problem, and I believe Mitsubishi is responsible for refunding my 800+ dollar shop bill for repairing this defect.

Heater core leaking.

Leaking antifreeze into the passenger compartment. Fogged windows, with a near miss on highway before I could get off.

2002 Mitsubishi Diamante purchased from wallace Mitsubishi in kingsport TN. In July 2006. Mileage 45000 miles. Foul odor from vents, windows fogged with greasy film, impossible to see through windows. Garage mechanic determined the cause to be heater core malfunction. Repairs to cost between $700. 00 to $800. 00 . I'm not the only one with this problem. The should be a recall.

I noticed a maple-syrup type smell and fog coming out of the vents even when off. Upon investigation, coolant was found leaking onto drivers' side floor. Was told by garage that it was the heater core and it will cost $800 to repair. Was also told that if it's not repaired it could damage the computer. I will have to get it fixed soon as my son has asthma and breathing in antifreeze vapors is probably not a good thing.

The heater core has been leaking for about 2 years on my 2002 Diamante. This causes fumes to take over my car and I can not see out of my windshield. There is also some sort of electrical problem that causes my car to die when idle at stops or when I let off the gas. This is very dangerous for me.