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Excursion coolant leak passenger side

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Old May 8, 2015 | 07:39 PM
  #1  
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Excursion coolant leak passenger side

2003 7.3 175,000 miles

Saw a stain in my driveway where you normally see AC drip.
Opened hood and saw degas empty.
Looking around like crazy and find wet area
Where the coolant line turns down beside the passenger fender.
Looks wet near bend going toward running board.
Didn't get to inspect much but I pulled back a bit of loom to inspect shape of lines and they look great.

Any idea of what could be going on

Kyle
 
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Old May 8, 2015 | 08:16 PM
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I would fill the degas bottle. Next time you drive and get her up to normal operating temps look around the clamps where the hoses connect to the radiator. Both on top and bottom of the radiator as well as the heater hoses on the passenger side.
 
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Old May 8, 2015 | 08:20 PM
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Also, when u get close to home turn the heater (both front & rear) on high. Let it sit in the driveway running for a bit. See where the drip is.
 
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Old May 9, 2015 | 06:54 AM
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Ok will do.
Pick am fairly certain it is a heater hose..
They look very clean why would they leak ..
 
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Old May 9, 2015 | 07:05 AM
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Post deleted. Have you looked at the connections where the hoses branch off to the rear unit? It may be leaking at one of the crimps.
 

Last edited by mueckster; May 9, 2015 at 07:16 AM. Reason: New information
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Old May 9, 2015 | 10:42 AM
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So, I figure between 1-2 gallons went out in a quick hurry.,
In a matter of 25 miles or so. (Yesterday)
Stain in drive way.. Which matches near AC drip. drove it around parked it, idling and cannot find any kind of leak
Pic is from AC drip area
You can actually see where it was leaking coming up the driveway

 
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Old May 9, 2015 | 11:17 AM
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On the Excursion there are two heater hoses that go down near the passenger side valve cover. Right where the AC condensation builds up. Those two hoses change over to hard lines right near the passenger side intercooler pipe. Check those fittings with s dry paper towel. Also, there is a tendency (on mine) for one of those hoses to rub up against a mounting bracket for the AC condenser.

With dry paper towels, start where the hose leaves the passenger side front of the head and work your way down the wheel well area. You might have to Leave her running with the heat on high to catch the leak in action.
 
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Old May 9, 2015 | 11:19 AM
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On the Excursion there are two heater hoses that go down near the passenger side valve cover. Right where the AC condensation builds up. Those two hoses change over to hard lines right near the passenger side intercooler pipe. Check those fittings with a dry paper towel. Also, there is a tendency (on mine) for one of those hoses to rub up against a mounting bracket for the AC housing (that big cylinder shaped tube the a/c lines run to - I think it's called the evaporator).

With dry paper towels, start where the hose leaves the passenger side front of the head and work your way down the wheel well area. You might have to Leave her running with the heat on high (front & rear) to catch the leak in action.
 
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Old May 9, 2015 | 11:33 AM
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Ok..
Yesterday and this morning before I drove it.
One of those lines was a little wet at the fitting.
But today after driving is bone dry.
What could of happened yesterday to loose so much coolant yet today , I can't get a leak at all.
The truck only went about 30 miles yesterday.

Kyle
 
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Old May 9, 2015 | 01:02 PM
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Checked oil ..
No coolant there..
Any other ideas ?
I guess I just keep driving it till it leaks again ?
Could this possible be a head gasket issue ? What would that look like ?

Kyle
 
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Old May 10, 2015 | 08:38 AM
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A head gasket would be very, very rare, plus with your description it sure sounds like one of the heater hoses.
 
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Old May 10, 2015 | 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by white Buffalo
A head gasket would be very, very rare, plus with your description it sure sounds like one of the heater hoses.

I'll keep you posted.
Thanks the help

Kyle
 
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Old May 12, 2015 | 06:31 PM
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Ok, more to this story.
Wife just got back with truck.
I check things, it's overheating. Of course she dosent notice.
Not sure why it has to be her behind the wheel.
She was also driving when it first happened.
What is the possibility of a bad thermostat ?
Where is the overflow if that is the case ?

Kyle
 
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Old May 12, 2015 | 07:45 PM
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Ok, just added coolant (both times this happened it was down 2 gal.)
And now the water pump is leaking..
It wasn't before..
Would it be possible the pump was cooked but wasn't yet leaking ?
I will replace both water pump and thermostat.

Thoughts ?

Kyle
 
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Old May 13, 2015 | 05:18 PM
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Ok.
Found another culprit
Heater control valve over passenger valve cover..
It's leaking intermittently.
I have no idea how this functions.

Kyle
 
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