trouble shootign anti-freeze/coolant leak

[User Name missing]

My ’96 Ranger 2.3 is leaking anti-freeze near the firewall on the passenger side. From what little I could tell by laying on the cold asphalt and looking underneath, wherever its coming from, it looks to be dripping on the plastic wheel well , somewhat under the overflow tank, then following the wheel well slope and dripping on the ground. Without taking the wheel well out, I could not determine the exact location. I just replaced all the hoses this year and all the connections around that area seems to be dry. I did not run my hand under the overflow to see if I felt any wetness, the only line I know of runs toward the front and seemed to be dry. I started the truck and cranked the heat, but I could not tell if it was dripping worse or not. I do know the heat output has been sucking for awhile now and I had planned to replace the heater core, water pump, timing belt come spring. Also there is no anti-freeze leaking inside the cad, which is a dead giveaway for a bad heater core. Any clues?

 

[v8318cid]

I don't recall what years started with these, but does your truck have a vacuum-operated heater control valve? It looks like an H with a vacuum valve attached to it. Those have a habit of leaking as they age. Other than the overflow tank leaking, that's the best I can suggest considering you have checked the hoses already.

 

[exbass94]

+1 for heater control valve. I disconnected the heater hoses on my valve to flush out my heater core a few months ago. When I reattached the hoses, I tightened the hose clamps too tight (yeah, I'm dumb) and broke the valve. It started dripping almost immediately.

 

[User Name missing]

well heres the thing that bites my arse........the ****n thing doesn't leak all the time! Its ****ing with my head! Been a small puddle on the ground since sunday when I noticed it, drove it to work this morning and went out at lunch to see if it leaked......dry as a bone! Since replacing all the hoses, therostat & water pipes, its been leaking off and on. Most of them has just been loose clamps (are worm gear clamps known for loosening on their own?). Some others I have no idea where its coming from. As long as it gets me through the winter, I plan to tear into when its warm enough to grab a tool and not freeze to my hand.

 

[xzaviergomez]

I know this an old thread, but will add this in case anyone else lands on this page with the same problem.

The leak location that you are describing is the heater core. You can replace it, or bypass it.