Where's the leak?

[cile01]

1996 6 cyl. Explorer, 93000 miles. I've developed a coolant leak, but 2 mechanics haven't solved the problem. Truck sits outside. I start it up in the morning to warm up with the heater on full blast for about 5 minutes. When I pull away there is a small leak on the passenger side. No leak upon arriving at work and can't duplicate it when I get home.
First mechanic replaced the heater control valve. Two days later leaking again. Took it to another shop. They pressure tested the system and could find no leaks. Then again this morning another small leak.
Where else could it be coming from. All hoses 1 year old and no evidence of leaking. Inside of truck does not smell like antifreeze.
Last resort will be to get out w/flash light at 4 in the morning and try to narrow down the area I guess before I leave for work. (It's cold outside!)
Any ideas?

 

[Rustang©]

there is a heater core drain behind the glove box in 91-94's, im not sure about 96's though.

Do you have your defroster on, if so this can cause condensation.

All in all, if its not alot, and you check your fluid fomr time to time, its no big deal. As long as you have fluid no problems will arise.

 

[cile01]

I'll check it out to see if I have a heater core drain. Also, yes I do run the defroster due to icy windows. When you say this causes condensation what exactly do you mean. Normally when I think condensation I think of water. The liquid on the driveway smells like antifreeze.
Thanks for your response!

 

[Rustang©]

o0o ok, didn't know it smelt like antifreeze.

As for the drain, the only way you can tell is to stick your head under the truck right behind the front pass tire. On the plastic inner fender-well there should be antifreeze if that is where it is leaking form.

Also, im not sure where the overflow container is on the second gens, if it is on that side, check to see if it is over filled, that will also cause leaking while it is warming up.

Good Luck man

-Dan

 

[little x]

When you got your new hoses 1 year ago the mechanic may have tightened the hose clap a little too tight, which could put a small cut in the hose and cause a bit of a leak. But I don't know why it would only do it in the morning and not at night. How big of a puddle are we talking here? 3 in diameter? 1 foot diameter?

 

[cfd911]

leak

well your gonna have to get under there and look, 2nd of all check all the clamps make sure their tight worm clamps have to be retightened after about 1 month or 2 after being installed even though you said you had new hoses put on a year ago recheck them. pressure test the system to 15 lbs with a stant radiator pressure tester or equivalent,there should be no pressure loss for about 5 mins,minimum. if you have radiator fluid it s leaking. check the over flow, don t guess know where it s leaking before you try and fix it!!!! good luck

 

[Turdle]

If the spot on ground is under passenger side--inside and behind the front tire a bit--heater core