mystery coolant leak

[tlevan03]

I have a small coolant drip on the pinch weld, passenger side under the front door. The floor pan on passenger side is not wet nor is there coolant smell inside the cab. Under the hood everything is dry. No leaking by the heater core hoses going into the firewall. About three weeks ago, the small 3' hose connecting the two hard coolant lines (under exhaust manifold) was leaking I replaced it. Now I have this leak and I cant seem to figure it out. Thanks

 

[HHhuntitall]

Is your insulation still on the firewall? Could the coolant be going behind it and down from the heater core hoses? Also, could the core be leaking and coming out the Evaporator drain?

 

[seafish]

It is also possible that it is still the small hose that you just replaced....I still had a tiny leak in that hose even though I carefully checked and carefully tightened it THREE times. Finally got it done just right.

 

[petersonj]

About three weeks ago, the small 3' hose connecting the two hard coolant lines (under exhaust manifold) was leaking I replaced it. Now I have this leak and I cant seem to figure it out. Thanks

Did the original hose use spring tension hose clamps? If so, did you re-use them or did you switch to screw clamps?

The spring tension clamp may be more difficult to remove or install, but it is a far better clamp because it allows for thermal expansion, thermal contraction, and vibration by holding a constant tension. The screw type hose clamp will end up deforming or cutting the hose it is trying to seal.

- John

 

[seafish]

Did the original hose use spring tension hose clamps? If so, did you re-use them or did you switch to screw clamps?

The spring tension clamp may be more difficult to remove or install, but it is a far better clamp because it allows for thermal expansion, thermal contraction, and vibration by holding a constant tension. The screw type hose clamp will end up deforming or cutting the hose it is trying to seal.

- John

I used a silicone hose with constant tension clamps but it was still persnickety because of it's location and access.

 

[petersonj]

I used a silicone hose with constant tension clamps but it was still persnickety because of it's location and access.

Silicone hoses are a bit slippery, but if the fittings were reasonably clean, those connections shouldn't leak. Some coolant leaks can be intermittent, so if you can get access to a radiator pressure tester, it would be the best way to confirm the location of a leak.

- John