For no particular reason my car fills up with the smell of anti-freeze coolant when I turn on the heater. I have read that this is caused by leaking 0-rings and that this will damage the computers which are underneath the leak. The car is a 2001 mitsubishi diamante l.s. The dealer says it is not a common issue. Google says otherwise.
2001 Mitsubishi Diamante visibility complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 56, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My windshield was fogging up creating a safety hazard. I had to replace the heater core. Cost was approximately $500.
When using the defroster the windows increasingly fog up and it does not clear. From investigating I have come to find out that this issue appears to be caused by a documented problem with the heater core of this model of of vehicle, 2001 mitsubishi diamante, in this case. I purchased the vehicle used from a local dealer approximately two weeks ago. I guess lucky for us the weather turned cold, forcing us to use the defroster, and thereby discovering this problem. I realize I most likely do not have any recourse in my case I want to file this on behalf of those who might since, as stated above, this is a known issue with the diamante.
Defroster would not defrost the windows. The transmission keeps going in and out of gear. Was told the heater core has gone bad, which the transmission was going in and out because coolant was dripping on the relay that was underneath it. It is going to cost $500 dollars for the relay, the reset of the check engine and heater core. Then a additional $600 dollars for labor since they have to remove the entire dashboard.
Anti freeze odor is overwhelming in the car, especially when the heater is run. I have had the car since it was new, and had the same problem after only a couple of months. The dealership fixed the issue by installing a new gasket, but the fix has lasted only a couple of years. My wife and I have been having a variety of respiratory illnesses recently, and I believe these fumes are a contributing factor.
2001 mitsubishi diamante with 44k miles - heater core failed and a few weeks later the transmission control device failed. This is due to leaking fluid from the heater core directly onto a computer component that has no cover. This vehicle should be recalled and mitsubishi should pay for the repairs (about $2000).
Recently purchased a 2001 mitsubishi diamante with 62k miles. Admittedly, I am not car "savvy" related to the well being of the car. When purchased, the car had a "maple syrup" type smell. Also, the windows fogged up very quickly and eventually I realized the heat took a long time to warm up. As I purchased the car in the summer, the fogging and heat problem was not noticed for two months. I have now realized that the problem has to do with the heater core. I have talked to people who are car "savy" and they say cars shouldn't have problems with a heater core until late in their lives (above 120k miles), if ever. As I discovered my problem, I realize that I have been inhaling anti freeze gas through the heat vents. I'm worried that I will have respiratory problems because of this. Has mitsubishi taken responsibility for this severe mishap? I have researched and found that this is an extremely prevalent problem in most diamantes. Not only is this extremely detrimental to ones health, it's an expensive fix. Is there any hope for a recall here?
Dt*: the contact stated while driving an odor of antifreeze entered the vehicle and the window were fogging up. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. The dealership replaced the heater core o-rings. The manufacturer was not alerted. Updated 3/28/2006 -
At approximately 40,000 miles, my 2001 mitsubishi diamante heater core started leaking. The first indication was that the windshield started fogging up immediately. This was in the winter (february, minnesota) and the defroster made it worse, driving was difficult at best. I was lucky in that I was close to home. Had I been on the freeway, it could have been more dangerous. A call to one of the local dealers informed me that the cost for the fix was over $1000. Research that I did on the internet showed that this was a very common failure and that most dealerships prefer to charge the customer outrageous bills for fixing what is obviously a manufacturing defect. Not being able to afford a bill of this size, I found a way to fix the problem myself, but it was not easy. I've found mitsubishi is not easy to deal with. My guess is that because they no longer sell this model, they will take advantage of customers that are owners of the diamante. I will never buy another car from this manufacturer.
We noticed black residue on the rear windshield of 2001 diamante. The next day when the defroster was turned on black smoke filled the inside of the car. The following day black smoke filled the car without the defroster being on. Had the car towed, and they told us it was the heater core having a hole in it. They had another 2001 diamante sitting there with the exact same problem. Since it wasn't under warranty, we bought it certified in december, it will cost approximately $875 to fix it.
Abnormal smell coming from vents, made me, and my two sons feel nauseous, created a headache for me. I had to open windows in order to drive car due to fumes. Brought car to dealer, and heater core was identified as problem and needed to be replaced. Dealer said this is a very common problem with this year and model. I asked if there was a manufacturer recall and he said no, they only had to do a recall if it was a safety problem. This cost $802.37 to repair. This is most definitely a safety issue. Not only health, but can cause an accident due to fogging of windows, etc. I am sure mitsubishi knows of this problem. Seems as though a class action suit should be filed against them for this issue. My car only has 47k miles, I purchased new and it has had all regular maintenance required. This is obviously a manufacturers defect. I will never purchase another mitsubishi, just because they do not take responsibility.
Noticed smell of antifreeze in the passenger compartment. Front windshield fogs up after car is driven and the motor is turned off. Wiping off the moisture is the only way to remove it. Read about the heater core problems on the web and took the car in to be repaired for this specific problem. Core seals were replaced oct 2003, the first repair, but smell of coolant remained. Two additional attempts at repair were made, including "cleaning" of the core, but smell remains to this day.
Vehicle is 2001 diamante ls with 72,000 VIN # [xxx]. Defroster not working properly window fog smell of antifreeze and puddle of antifreeze under passenger rug. Have estimate of $800 to fix. *nm updated 07/18/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)
I have a 2001 mitsubishi diamante ls that requires I replace the heater core, this has been a problem since I purchased this vehicle. I also owned a 1998 diamante ls with the same problem.
Car smelled of syrup when the heat was on and smoke came from the vents. After breaking down, I was told by the dealership that the o rings/heater core needed to be replaced which cost me $850.00..
Coolant from failed o-rings in heater core caused windows to fog over while driving.
In early 2005, I started noticing that my windows were fogging for no reason while driving and it was hard to defrost them. A definite safety hazard, because I could not see that well. Later, I started noticing a weird smell in the cabin. (it turned out to be coolant; it can't be good for your health) in mid 2005, I saw fog/smoke coming from the vents. A repair shop confirmed that it was a problem with the heater core, and it would be at least $800 to fix. The dealer told me that my car is out of warranty. I purchased the vehicle in december 2001, and it now has only 30600 miles.
Low mileage 2001 mitsubishi diamante has a failed heater core. Results in excess ethelyne glycol vapor in the passenger compartment and fogged windows. Search of the web shows problem to be common.
Dt: consumer owns a mitsubishi 2001 vehicle with less than 26,000 miles the heater core is not working. We noticed some type of a fog in the window. We started getting smoke in the car, and the front glass fogs up and doesn't clear up. Also, it has a strong smell of antifreeze. We have to keep putting antifreeze in the car.*ak *sb
2001 mitsubishi diamante experienced problems with the heater core.*mr the heater core had to be replaced because anti-freeze was leaking into the passenger compartment and fogging the windshield. When the heater core was being removed, the consumer noticed it failed to have sufficient insulation. The oil pan gasket was leaking and the upstream oxygen sensor was replaced.
The driver noticed that the passenger side defroster was inoperative. Antifreeze was leaking from the passenger side door. The passenger side window fogged and caused poor visibility to the driver. The driver contacted the dealer and was informed that the heater coil needed to be replaced. Please provide further details. *nm antifreeze smells the car up and leaks onto the floor carpet damp. Dangerous to drive because of fog up.
Complaint received via e-mail. The heater core had to be replaced because of leaking antifreeze into the passenger compartment and fogging of windshield. When I took my vehicle in I was advised at that time there was another diamante (2002) that required a heater core, and the vehicle at approximately 42,000 miles. When the heater core was being removed I noticed it failed to have sufficient insulation as this could cause failure by vibration over normal roads.
This is a mitsubishi diamante 2001 ls. I'm experiencing pungent smell of anti-freeze inside the car as soon as I turn on heating. The dealer I got the preowned car from won't fix the problem unless I can show them the leak in heater core. Anti-freeze contains ethylene glycon and the fumes are highly toxic. Fixing the the heater core will cost $1000. I am filing this complaint to ascertain that this is a very very common problem in mitsubishi diamante and mitsubishi motors should be aware of three main risk associated with this: (1) the defect exposes customers to unusual level of toxic ethylene glycol which should not exceed 10-25 ppm levels (consult msds for ethylene glycol) (2) the leak can affect the car's microprocessor and poses a severe hazard for drivers. (3) faulty heater core makes the visibility difficult due to fogging of wind shield thus putting the driver at greater risk. I will eventually fix the problem by spending $1000 after the summer if mitsubishi refuses to issue a recall. Right now I am trying some radiator anti-leak to delay the costly repair. But I want the federal safety agency to be aware of the hazards that has been ignored by the manufacturer.
Purchased 2001 diamante in september 2004. Had approximately 66,000 miles when purchased and approximately 73,000 miles now. At the time I purchased the car, I noticed a maple syrup smell in the interior, but I didn't know that it was an indicator of a problem so I didn't mention it, I thought it might be a cleaner that was used in the car. In december 2004, brought car to mitsubishi dealer where car was purchased for a routine oil change and tire rotation. Was informed that strong coolant smell in interior (maple syrup smell) was from a coolant leak caused by broken o-ring which I was told by the service manager "happens in almost all diamantes". I told them that the smell was in my vehicle when I purchased it from the dealer in august and I believe they were aware of it at that time because they were able to quickly identify that same odor when I brought the car in for service. I have asked the dealership to pay for the repair since it is apparent they sold me a defective car. I have not resolved this issue yet with mitsubishi so the repairs have not been made as of the date of this report. Currently the symptoms of this coolant leak are consistently and severely fogged up windows (all windows of the car) making visibility difficult. I am also quite concerned about the health consequences, including respiratory problems, I am facing from inhaling antifreeze fumes for the last 7 month which are only getting worse.
After turning on the defroster the window was still not clearing up, and there was an odor of antifreeze.
Heater coil replacement. Causes car to overheat, also causes bad smell and heat and fumes to come out of the dash. It has come to my attention that a large amount of mitsubishi diamantes up to year 2001 have this problem and it has not be considered a recall. I wanted to know why and how this issue can be fixed. It's not fair that customers have to pay over 1000. To get something fixed that is obviously a manufacturer problem. This is not an optional fix since it can ultimately cause an engine fire.
Heater core failed. This caused my windshield to fog up. My car smells like antifreeze so bad that I got a migraine. The repair is approximately $600.00.
Coolant leaking into rug on front passenger side, coolant fumes leaking from air vents, constantly adding more coolant to car, foggy windows that would not clear up even after an hour of driving, scent in car that kind of smells like syrup. Constant headaches, nausea when driving inside vehicle, hard to drive due to foggy windows. Took car to dealer and had heater core replaced. Faint scent of syrup still remains in car.
I have had my 2001 mitsubishi diamante for one year now and have always found that my front window fogged over with a film the defroster would not remove. Last weekend the 5th of february 2005 I noticed the film getting worse and the car filled with a very pungent smell of antifreeze this caused my eyes to burn and made it hard to continue driving. I took it to my dealer who said the heater core had a leak and I needed new gaskets that were $16 dollars a package and that labor would be $492 dollars for 5 hours. I was quite shocked it would cost so much considering I have well maintained my car and that I only had 41,000 miles on it. I am concerned of the health effects if I have been breathing in antifreeze for over a year now. I am also concerned that the leakage may have caused damage to my ecu because of where the leak is (right above the ecu). I have read that this may be a common problem with the diamante and my dealer said he has seen a few himself (he knew exactly what it was when I told him what was happening and how much it cost). I fear mitsubishi is aware of this problem and the long term affects it may have on health and safety and hasn't come forward to fix the problem.
The heater core developed a leak which resulted in the window fogging up, followed by smoke/steam from the anti freeze coming through the air vents. This reduced the driver's visibility while driving, and could cause an accident.
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