Creosote smell from heater in 1991 Jetta Diesel

[cory]

So I started smelling coolant coming through the heater and new it was time for a new heater core. Quite a long tedious job but I got it done with only one screw left over  
When I took the car for a test drive I noticed a new smell coming from my heater...a really nasty creosote type smell. I thought maybe it would go away after a few trips but no. The smell is still coming on strong after 5 or 6 heater sessions.

Any thoughts? I am baffled.

 

[Baron VonZeppelin]

I'd need a sample of creosote to know what it smells like.

But anyhow, its probably a coating used on the new core that is smelling. May take weeks or months to go away.

Was either 2009 or 2010 Jetta TDI that had customer complaints of toxic smell/fumes from heater box - some even got burning itchy eyes from it. Was coating used in production of their heater cores. Eventually it subsides.

I guess we need to sterilize these things before installing them now. Hope it goes away soon for you.

[mystery3]

Mine smelled like funky hot plastic for a week or three, it just slowly went away.

[rabbitman]

Mine did that with a new heater core then went mostly away but after not using the heater for the summer it'll do it again for a little while.

[cory]

Well it sounds like I just need to be patient...not always my strong point.

Thanks for the replies y'all.

[fck]

perhaps you can add a fragrant oil to your coolant?