Odd smell from heater

First, you should know that I have an odd birth defect that causes me to be unable to smell most things. Because of that, I'm going to have a hard time describing the smell. Along those lines, if I can smell it at all it means that it must be pretty strong.

I have 61k miles on the truck and have noticed this since new. When the heater is on and the truck gets up to normal operating temperature there is a smell that permeates the cab. It doesn't smell like anything is burning. It smells more like hot oil or maybe coolant. I know a normal person could tell the difference but not me.

There is no noticable loss of either coolant or oil. Also, it only happens when the heater is on, not the AC. Nothing died in the blower either. That's a smell I'm actually familiar with.

Has anyone else experienced this? I still have warranty on the truck and can take it in but that's always such a pain in the ass that I've been putting it off.

 

Have you considered having a friend ride with you, for their opinion?

 

Not since COVID. My wife would be happy to do it but having someone try to describe a smell is difficult. I guess I was hoping that someone has been down this road and could chime in and tell me that the heater core had a leak or oil was dripping on something or something along those lines.

 

The first few times I used my heater on my 2020 it smelled like someone had buritto farts inside the cab.

That seems to have stopped for now, I just assumed it was some oil or plastic somewhere in there.

 

a dead rat infiltrated the cabin air filter?

 

Maybe the electrical heating element? It operates under the following conditions:

-Engine running
-Blower switch on
-Temperature settings: MAX HOT
-Engine coolant temperature 65°C or lower
-Ambient temperature 10°C or lower

 

I had the same thought and tested it by not setting the heater at max and there was no change.

It's definitely not a dead something as it's happening consistently for 5 years. Also, that's one of the few things I can smell and identify so I can rule that theory out.

Thanks for the ideas guys.

 

Priceless... The most creative and best animated GIF’s!

 

I’m kind of in the same boat. When I run the a/c with cabin cycled air there’s no smell. However, when I turn off the cabin cycle and use heat/defrost I smell a weird hot oil smell like OP mentioned. Already ruled out cabin filter. Hmmmmm

 

Cool. At least I know it's not just me.

Do you use Fluid Film by chance? It's been a year since I applied it so I don't think that's it but I guess it's a possibility.

 

Has anyone checked the cabin air filter to see if it’s super dirty?

 

Yes. Unfortunately it's not that.

 

Nope haven’t applied fluid film as of yet

 

This isn’t as easy as some suggestions but check all of the duct work. Something may have gotten in a less accessible area.