Radiator leak/ Stumped

[pin8246]

Alright guys just had to run up town and when I got back I noticed antifreeze under the truck. So I popped the hood to see what I could see it this is where it stumped me. Top hose is in the middle top, bottom hose is on the driver side bottom, over flow bottle is on the drivers side. The antifreeze was on the passanger side right on top of the frame, and dripped down the tow hook. Made a little puddle under my truck so thats it. The radiator is dry like it didnt crack or anything, all hoses are dry, Its almost like it just sprayed a little when I shut the truck off. Usually if something major happens its noticable, but this is not. Once it cools off im going to check the fluid to see if I even lost a lot.

Any other ideas of where to look, or ideas of what it could be?

If it helps its a 98 limited v6

 

[pin8246]

Found it. The little silver metal tube. Where it goes through the front and inbetween the grill and radiator to what I believe is part of the a/c unit. Well where it goes through it was rubbing on the hole it squeezes between and rubbed a hole in it. So I will have to get that metal tubing replaced all the way from the front to the back. The only thing is, what does antifreeze have to do with the a/c system. Ive never messed with a/c so I have no clue about them.

 

[tbst]

Glad you found it.

Maybe that will be the location of my leak.

Keep us posted on how difficult the repair/pain in ass it is.

 

[pin8246]

This is something im going to have to take to the shop to do. I dont have the tools for those fittings, and im not messing with the a/c componets that I have very little knowledge about. Looks to be like a 60 dollar piece, now how much labor will cost I have no clue.

 

[tbst]

Your a/c system shouldn't have radiator fluid in it, no? I know you mentioned that above... I cant place the picture w/o going outside, and its like 15 here...

 

[pin8246]

Thats what I was thinking, but thats the only tube I can find with a crack, and its soaked to touch. From the pictures I looked up its part of the a/c system, and theres antifreeze there. Damn thinking to much im getting confused again.

 

[tbst]

If you don't get it figured out I can look tomorrow and pull the schematic and then maybe figure out my leak at the same time.

 

[pin8246]

I talked to the dealership and they said there is antifreeze running through the a/c system. So most likely that will be the part I need.

 

[cfranck1]

I talked to the dealership and they said there is antifreeze running through the a/c system. So most likely that will be the part I need.

What are they talking about??:redbrick:

Both systems are totally separate from each other.
Each system is a closed system.

Just looked at mine, there is no coolant lines close.
The two metal lines are are your A/C system.

The small line "Liquid line" goes from fitting by firewall to receiver dryer, and the larger line "Suction line" goes from your compressor to your condenser.

 

[pin8246]

What are they talking about??:redbrick:

Both systems are totally separate from each other.
Each system is a closed system.

Just looked at mine, there is no coolant lines close.
The two metal lines are are your A/C system.

The small line "Liquid line" goes from fitting by firewall to receiver dryer, and the larger line "Suction line" goes from your compressor to your condenser.

She miss understood me on the phone. Anyways just got a call from them, and it is the smaller line in the picture which is the condenser to dehydrator, and the reason the liquid was the exact same color as the antifreeze is because of the dye inside. Thats where it stumped me cause I didnt think they would have dye in this old of a truck. Oh well its getting fixed now.

 

[cfranck1]

That's good to know that it's getting fixed.

When you get it back check to see if those 2 lines are touching again, and if they are bend them slightly apart or put a piece of rubber hose between the two so they won't rub against each other again.

The manufacturer has been adding dye to a/c systems for years. Usually the factory dye is a lot harder to spot without a u/v light. The system must have been worked on before.

 

[pin8246]

Thats what im thinking. And its not the 2 hoses rubbing. The smaller hose on the bottom was coming into contact with the core support and thats what caused it. The only thing I have running through my head right now is if the shady mechanic I had do my timing belt and water pump hit it to bend it down. Cause I dont think this just magically bent itself in the past month. That I will never know, but if work is ever needed it will be going to this dealership out here cause they just blew my mind with customer service today.

 

[tbst]

And what exactly did they do?

 

[pin8246]

And what exactly did they do?

What did who do? The dealer?

If your talking about the dealership its Jerry Durant in Granbury Tx. This in my first and only dealings with them, and hence why I said good customer service. Last night talked to a service rep named Mellissa. Told her the problems I was having and what I was seeing. Well when we talked some words must have got crossed because there ended up to be a miscommucation. Anyways fast foward to this morning. Figured it to be better safe than sorry with this issue so I took the shop into them to get checked out. Pulled up and Mellissa came out and shook my hand and asked me if she could help me. Not knowing who she was I stated I was looking for her. She said thats me and you must be Shawn. Theres the first plus on there part cause I never stated I was going to come in, just wanted there input on what I was seeing. Talked for a bit and she stated they were kind of backed up but she insured me she would get back to me by 3 for the outcome in case she needed to order parts. Went on to state that if they find a problem there will be a 95 dollar diagnosis fee that will be put toward the repair if they fix it, or out of my pocket if I do the repair. Then stated if they can not find a problem I will not be billed for any of it and will get my truck back costing nothing. That there I have never seen any dealer look at a car for free. Next is what suprised me, my first dealings with them, did not get the truck from them, owe nothing on my truck, basically no connection to them, she offered me a loaner car at no fees to me. Fast foward a little bit, she calls at 2:15 p.m. and states what they have found, tells me it was the part I was looking at and states the dye is what made it that color. Ask me if I want her to order the part for me to install, or to get them to fix it. Its already there and I have a full day tomm so I said to go ahead with the repairs. While I was on the phone she ordered the part and said it will be there tomm and as soon as it show they will get it put on for me and ready tomm afternoon for pick up.

Some of you may think thats normal, my last involvement with anyone working on my truck besides me was a mechanic in Glen Rose that did the fuel pump, timing belt, and O2 sensor. Not only did he charge 125 just to look at it, that didnt go to the bill, a job that the dealer said they do in a day took him a week and a half. If I didnt have two trucks I would have been screwed with my buisness. So thats why I think this was some killer customer service.

 

[tbst]

Sorry, I was not clear enough.

That is some good CS.

However did they end up replacing the hose or what?

 

[pin8246]

It will be ready tommorrow. They ordered the part today.

 

[clys]

Ok, NO, there is not "Antifreeze" running through your A/C system. Not in the engine sense anyways. There is oil, which is dyed green throughout the A/C system, and this is what you're confusing with your engine coolant. Can't believe the dealer would tell you otherwise.