Heater core?

[Unicornasaurus]

Alright, my friend tells me that my heater core in my 91 festy might be gone. Whenever I turn the heat on, I get a sort of maple syrup smell(which you think I wouldn't mind being in Canada).

Is the heater core gone? leaking? Any ideas?

[wrestler3025]

Sounds like it is leaking. If you are still getting heat, its not "gone" yet, but probably will be soon.

[GenevaDirt]

Is your water level dropping in your radiator?

[gdawgs]

If you can smell it when you turn the heat on, you more than likely have a leak. And the leak can be incredibly small and still have a pretty strong scent. So you may not notice a level drop in the radiator for quite some time. I've never changed one out on a Festiva, so I have no idea what's involved. On some newer cars it can be a nasty job. Sometimes you have to tear half the car apart to get to them.

[Unicornasaurus]

I still get heat yes. As for the rad drop..I'd have to check that when I get home.

If it's a leak, is it generally repairable?

[gdawgs]

You don't generally repair a heater core, you replace it with a new one.