Hey Everyone!

Unfortunately when I was doing a pilot hole with my drill near the rear left wheel well, my drill punctured a pipe underneath and made fluid come in the van and also start to leak underneath the van. I removed the insulation and plywood after I got the inside cleaned up and turned on van to move it. When I turned on the van the fluid leaked again under the van and also inside where the hole was. My guess is it is Hydraulic fluid of some sort. The pipes are not connected or used for the braking system. The last 6 pictures show the pipe I punctured that has 3 other pipes beside it. The last 6 pictures show the pipe I punctured then them going from the wheel to the rear of the van.

At first I thought I punctured the brake line. However in testing the brakes they still work and have pressure. Also when checking the brake fluid compartment it is still almost full. I lost total of about 2 gallons of fluid. With that I am assuming it has nothing to do with the brakes. I am assuming hydraulic fluid, but I have no clue what it actually is and what purpose it serves for the van running and operating. I did follow the galvanized lines and they run into the engine compartment from what I can see. I am attaching photos of both the inside and undercarriage of the van. Two of the pictures show the pipe where the fluid is coming out of that I screenshot from the video I took. Hopefully someone can help identify the part correctly. If anyone has any ideas what pipe it is I punctured, what it does, and best way to repair it? I would greatly appreciate any advice or information you all have to share. Thanks!

 

I’m not experimented with your Van/year, but before lose pressure on the brake line, all the fluid do go outside, I think... Check the level inside the fluid tank, push again the brake pedal few times and check again the level.

 

Ok thank you! I tested the brakes twice when engine was on and they had pressure and worked. I think it may have something to do with the air conditioner. I am not sure

 

Freeon is under pressure and you would know if you drilled into it. If it's not brake fluid it could also be coolant for a rear heat.

 

Too bad you didn't look before you leaped---exactly what color is this "fluid" you mention repeatedly?

Have you check the coolant level in the degas bottle? Does the A/C work?

 

Rear heater line.Van looks to have rear heat /AC

 

I bet with Rick1025. You can see where the rear ac lines have been disconnected and the heater lines were connected back together with a U shaped hose.

2 lines for the heat and 2 for the AC
Below is the lines for a 08-09 E350

 

Yep you got the coolant lines. Better fix it before you overheat. Rubber hose and clamps will work but will be a pain to get room to get it done. Lucky it wasn't a fuel or brake line. Mind if I ask why you went ***** deep with the bit if it was a pilot hole? That took a bit of effort to go through those metal lines.