Is this a failing crossover pipe?

Are you sure it's coolant odor??

My 2016 has a strange vinegar odor in the HVAC system at times - not coolant, but have never really properly diagnosed it.

joeharby said:

Ok, weather is a little warmer now and been driving it a little more than just across our small town. I smell it in the cabin slightly when I turn the heater fans on. Heater core replacement involves removing the dashboard? Any where I can feel around in the cabin for wet coolant? Thanks in advance!

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Yes, unfortunately, replacing the heater core means the dash is going to have to come out. In a good note though, when the days is out, you can add new duct insulation to everything, sealing the HVAC system up like it was brand new!

Of not, when you get to the metal dash frame, there are 2 screws holding it to the body that aren’t intuitive. First, there’s a screw under the center dash speaker grill, and it’s smaller than the others so, heads up. Finally, there is 1 bolt, I believe it’s a T50 or T60 that holds the frame in place from the outside of the cabin!!! (In pic below) You have to pull the windshield cowlings off, specifically the lower cowling, then you can get a torx socket with some extensions in there to get it off. After that you’ll be home free.

Tapps33 said:

Yes, unfortunately, replacing the heater core means the dash is going to have to come out.

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The heater core can be replaced without removing the dash. The coolant pipes just have to be tweaked a little bit while removing.
Basically, remove the center console and HVAC control panel.

powershift said:

My rear crossover leaked onto the top of the transmission. I'd look there and look underneath where you park to see if the coolant is leaking onto the ground when you are about to leave. If it is, then you can determine front or back and help narrow down where the leak is coming from. It could be the water pump too. Try to wiggle the fan. If it moves then that problem is a bad bearing on the water pump and a plausible source of the leak.

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Just reporting back since it's been a while. I removed the intake manifold to take a look at the rear crossover and it was in fact leaking very slowly (orange residue and white crusty evaporated coolant). Replaced that and have driven from Moscow, ID to Portland, OR 600 mile round trip and no coolant leak.