2002 Ram 1500, 200K

The heater core has failed as I smelled the radiator fluid in the AC system. I bypassed the core by connecting the In and Out hoses going into the firewall. This worked and the AC smells like fresh air once again and the truck is not over heating.

Two months later, I noticed more fluid coming from under the driver side firewall area. No leaks inside the cabin. The AC still works fine.

I need to add radiator fluid every week.
Did I do something wrong on the bypass?
Where else could this fluid come from?


Thanks

 

on the drivers side? my first thought would be head gasket

 

drivers side or passenger side ?
there's nothing wrong with bypassing the heater core, and a short piece of pipe should provide a leak free connector.

if you losing coolant somewhere else on the engine - if its around the front i'd suspect water pump. if its around the rear i'd suspect freeze plugs.

maybe head gasket or intake, but that's usually associated with other problems, including water in oil, oil in coolant, white smoke in exhaust, over-heating, etc.

 

another thing it could be is a pinhole in the heater hose spraying the firewall.

 

thanks for all the quick (i mean quick) responses.

i will check for leaks in hoses.

It is the driver side for sure

No loss of power, no white smoke, lemme check all and i will re post.

Thanks so much

 

if your sure its the drivers side rear it can only be one of 5 possible things.
1. freeze plugs
2. head gaskets
3. intake gaskets
4. cracked block
5. cracked head

 

6. heater hose swings around from wp on drivers side.

 

and goes between the firewall and the engine. its worth a look. i never get off that easy but maybe you will.