Hello,

On 2 separate ocassions, one being yesterday, I noticed antifreeze leaking out of my '94 Dodge Dakota. Both times it occurred when the truck was off. Yesterday I did not drive the truck at all before the leak started.

Quite a lot of fluid leaked out. Should I add some water before running it?

How can I tell where the leak is coming from? I will not be able to take it to the shop until mid week, so what can I do to keep the truck running until then?

Thanks for any info you can provide.

 

If it is leaking when your not driving it then you have a leak in the radiator or on a hose. You just have to pop the hood and take a look to find it. If you truly need there is a UV leak detector kit you can buy that will help locating the leak.

 

OK. I popped the hood, opened the radiator cap, and the fluid is filled to the top.

To the left of the radiator is large, plastic tank that says ENGINE COOLANT ONLY, and the level of the fluid is at ADD.

Does this have anything with the antifreeze leaking out? Do I need to add coolant to that tank, and if so, what do I add?

Thanks.

 

My '93 3.9L was leaking like that a few years ago, and it seemed to be the water pump. I had it replaced. But, I would check for hoses, etc. first. Oh, if you add to the overflow tank make sure it is compatible antifreeze with what you already have. Use a 50/50 water/antifreeze ratio. These trucks are very easy to do a flush and refill of the cooling system. I just did mine in March; you can even easily remove the plastic overfill tank for cleaning it out. I also had to replace the original radiator about 10 years ago with an all metal radiator. The factory radiators were plastic and metal fused together and mine was leaking at the plastic/metal joint.

 

The manuel says... " With the engine idling, and warmed to normal operating temperature, the level of the coolant in the overflow bottle should be between the fluid level marks."

It is absolutely necessary to keep the coolant level between ADD and FULL?

I removed a bit of antifreeze from the radiator, and the drip appears to have stopped.