Rear Passenger Coolant Leak

[mystereons]

Hi all, we just got our first Explorer and I was hoping you could help with a problem. It's leaking what I think is coolant near the rear passenger tire. The fluid is orange and smells like coolant (I'm pretty sure). I attached some pics. The bucket is located where the leak is happening, and I took some pics of what's above it. I assume it's probably leaking from one of those clamps, but we can't replicate the leak. It happened once when we picked it up and drove it up the u-haul trailer. The second time it happened when we took it for the first test drive. We've taken it for two more test drives, and the leak isn't happening. It was low on coolant so we added about a gallon but still no leak.

Anyone have a suggestion for how to make it leak again to confirm where it's coming from? Do we need to run heat or AC?

Secondly, any ideas on how to best access those clamps? Are there any parts we should remove to get in there better, or just stick a hand in there and work in the tight space?

I tried to find a diagram of the coolant lines online, but I couldn't find one. If anyone has one, let me know!

Thank you!!!

 

[mystereons]

Ok so it looks like my question has changed. I found that the previous owner had already put in a bypass hose by the rear heater core, so there's no point in trying to fix the leak by the rear passenger wheel. At this point I would like to just bypass the rear heater core as close to the front as possible. The other day I thought I had found a post where someone had put a u-shaped bypass tube near the battery, but I can't find the post, maybe it was another forum. Does anyone have a picture showing where the rear heater can be bypassed under the hood? Thanks!

 

[mountaineer2004]

^^^ That forum thread is "wits end..." in stock 2006-2010 forum. It has the pics you're looking for.