Caravan Coolant Leak under Passenger Side

kingofbother · #1 04-21-2009, 08:49 AM

I have this annoying coolant leak under the passenger side of the engine. I have replaced the bottom hose. I checked the water pump and don't see any coolant leaking while the engine is running. I see the coolant on the ground after the van sits for a long time. Mostly in the morning. I have looked at the hoses that I can and don't see where the leak is coming from. I can see that it runs down and drips off of the bottom hose. The van is not overheating. I do smell some coolant burning at times. Any Ideas????

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mr_mahoney · #2 04-21-2009, 04:19 PM

The metal lines that supply the coolant to the rear heater are known to rust out. Fixed mine yesterday.

Here is a great article:
http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/sho...ghlight=heater

jetdrvr · #3 05-06-2009, 01:21 PM

I am going thru this same problem right now. My story - (1999 Grand Caravan 3.8L 131K) few days ago discovered coolant on the ground, engine cold. jacked her up and coolant seemed to be coming from where the lower hose connects to the water pump, hose was old and cracked and it really looked like it was coming from there. So I replaced the lower hose and upper (it was just as old), new 50/50 coolant, and everything seemed fixed. Then a day or two later I went out to the cold car and sure enough there's a little coolant on the ground. Damn. Could not seem to pinpoint the location, since it was no longer leaking and everything seemed dry. Drove car and nothing leaked when the engine was running or warm from running. Then this morning went out to the cold car and there was a whole bunch of coolant on the ground. Jacked up the front end and fortunately I caught it while it was still leaking out. It was leaking from the water pump (either weep hole or seal), down the side of the pump, onto the lower hose, dripping off the hose to the plastic guard and onto the ground.
It now has a date with the service department and I'm also gonna have both of those steel heater hoses replaced because they are rusted to all heck and I'm sure they don't have much life left in them.