Antifreeze leak in wheel well

[rseabur]

I have a 2201 3500 with 24v. I have an antifreeze leak that is showing up in the passenger wheel well. There is a 2" spray pattern all the way across the liner like the tire is spraying it up there. The engine compartment is dry. There is 1 steel line that runs across the fender in the engine compartment but all connections or joints are dry. Although I have not removed the foil tape that is on them, but no signs of leaking or water marks. Could the heater core be leaking? If it was would it be wet in the cab or shouldn't I smell it? Any and all thoughts appreciated.

[hex0rz]

You would smell coolant in the cab if it was the heater core. Get the vehicle up to operating temp and look around. If you have to, have some rev up the engine while looking. The extra flow and pressure should make the leak show up depending on what it is.

[mopartechnician]

That line is for the a/c it wont leak coolant. Check for pinhole leaks in the heater hoses

[diesel4life]

If it is an automatic check for the heat exchanger on the passenger side of the block to make sure it isn't leaking or any hoses associated with it. JR

[rseabur]

Got truck up to temp today for about 1/2 hr and could not locate any leak. Not sure what is going on.

[dorkweed]

While you were driving somewhere, did you drive thru someone else's "leak" causing it to be on the "inside" of the wheel well liner???

[Mopar1973Man]

Another crazy thought do you have a small pin hole that is spraying coolant from a heater hose towards that fender and causing that?

[rseabur]

I have never had any sign of coolant leak in the engine compartment. When I am referring to the fender I am talking from the outside directly above the wheel. I thought I possibly ran through something the first time I noticed it but it has come back several times. I guess I may have to wait until it becomes a bigger leak. Just hope it don't leave me stranded somewhere.

[Ilikeoldfords]

And you know 100% sure it's coolant? Could be brake fluid getting tossed up from the caliper?? Maybe a burst brake line?

[rseabur]

only neon green fluid that I know of in the truck

[dripley]

I had a hvac leak that the service shop tried to find and they used green die to try and find it. I found it in my hvac box when I had it out. Just throwing that one out there.

[hex0rz]

More often than not though, you should be able to smell the coolant if the core is leaking. Sweet smell travels in the air when the blower is on.

[06redcummins]

the weep hole in the waterpump caused the same pattern for my truck. Didnt make sense how it got up in the fender but mine was running down the alt bracket and flinging off the belt into the inner fender

[JAG1]

If you wipe it off with a white paper towel it will show the true color on the towel and show if it's coolant or brake fluid.

[Dieselfuture]

Stupid thought, do you have fix a flat in that tire? I think it can be same color. Unless you lose coolant in radiator and overflow than it could be anything:2cents:

[rseabur]

No fix a flat and not losing a ton of coolant. Very minimal but noticeable. Overflow is nowhere near the area that is showing the leak. It is for sure antifreeze. Again no signs of a leak what so ever in the engine compartment. May just start changing hoses and see if I can fix it that way.

[mopartechnician]

Have you checked the drain tube for the hvac housing

[rseabur]

where might I find the drain tube?  And why would there be antifreeze in the hvac?

[hex0rz]

where might I find the drain tube?  And why would there be antifreeze in the hvac?

...the heater core. Drain for HVAC is on passenger side in the engine bay on the firewall towards the bottom.

 

But like I was saying, if your heater core is leaking, you should be able to smell the coolant when you have the blower on high and hot.

 

If I was you, I would just monitor the coolant level and let it be. Keep some extra coolant handy and when the problem finally does start to show more, then you will what to fix instead of spending gobbs of money replacing everything...

Edited December 22, 2013 by hex0rz

[rseabur]

Still trying to track down this leak. Seems to be getting a little worse with the added Hp. Would a pressure test show me anything? Thinking about doing a flush and maybe itwill help or break some gunk loose and show the leak better.