The biggest problem we face is the seep.  In other words I know the rear
one is seeping and these go bad all the time.  However the front ones
are getting pretty old (working on 24 years in your van) and it is
probably seeping.  This means that it is weeping somewhere around the
edge that may not jump out at you but it will seep enough to cause a
smell.  You can live with it or get a new front heater core.  Eventually
it will get worse and leak.  I have the new ones out of all aluminum for
$475 on the shelf.  While this is not cheap, they are custom cores that
are all aluminum so they should outlast the original ones with plastic
ends (those have lasted 24 years so they were good just NLA now).  My
cores are awesome works of art!  I will sign it for you if you want :-)
I can email you high rez photos since the pictures on my site do not do
them justice.  Hope this helps.

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

Andy Morse wrote:
> 86 Syncro. When I turn on the rear heater I get a strong anti freeze smell, even fogs up a bit. I don't bother with that one anymore. Now that I've replaced the front heater motor I'm getting a very slight sweet smell in the front.. What's up?
>
> I do have a a drip of anti freeze at #3 cylinder head. My heater core was in great shape in the front.
>
> Thank you,
>         Andy
>
>