2003 Dodge Caravan?

Question

I went about a block from my home to the local bank on returning and getting out of the van I noticed a "hissing" sound coming from beneath the van. There was steam coming from under the van not where the radatior is located. While driving the dashboard didn't light up of gave me any indication that the van was overheated. I put antifreeze and water in the radaitor but the liquid just leaked right back out from the underneath the raditor. I had my van checked a few months because I was having to constantly refill the radiator. I was told there was not a leak in the raditor but yet the thing kept losing fluid. It was not leaking into any other part of the engie I was told. My husband is deployed and I would like to know something about this issue before having to pay another mechanic . PLEASE HELP!!!! It is leaking from the undercarriage not anywhere near the raditor.

Answer 1

sounds like radiator, lower hose, heater hose, heater core or water pump leak or any combo of them. if it is a water pump consider having all hoses replaced at same time. Any good mech will be able to tell where it is leaking by doing a pressure test on the cooling system. if you live near an installation go hang out at the auto craft shop. some one there would be willing to help you out and most service members that hang out there are trained unit mechanics with experience

Answer 2

There are many places for the coolant to be leaking from.

The radiator (which you said it is not coming from)

Radiator hose (not where it connects to the radiator, but elsewhere on the hose)

The water pump or thermostat housing (it could be running down the engine and dripping further back (liquid doesn't necessarily drip exactly below the .leak)

From the heads (see dripping theory above)

Freeze plugs (located along the engine block.

Any of these needs to be fixed ASAP.

Take it to a reputable dealer, ask them to pressure test the cooling system, that will find it.

Avoid the Barrs leak if possible, you are only prolonging the inevitable, get the repairs done once, and done right.

Answer 3

You obviously have a coolant leak somewhere, if you continue to drive like this, it can cause a costly repair. If you dont know what is leaking I would take it to a shop and have it checked out. Most shops can check out a cooling system for around 20.00 and waive the fee if you get the work done there. If you dont want to spend the money then continue to drive the vehicle and you can have repairs easily exceeding two thousand dollars, blown head gaskets etc.....

Answer 4

If it was me i would not go back to that repair shop.

It could be a number of things.

Pin holes in the radiator/hoses clamp not tight on the hose
Bad water pump/thermostat blow-en head gasket
and etc.

Take it to a reliable repair shop and have then do what is called a pressure check in the system.

Answer 5

Drive around for awhile tomorrow until the engine's hot and then head toward the Dodge dealer and pull up outside their garage. Leave the engine running until you get the service writer to bring a mechanic out in the parking lot with him. Then turn the engine off and wait for the cooling system to overflow in front of the mechanic. Then say, "you see that leak?", "Fix It!"

Answer 6

There are 2 types of leaks, one could be leaking out, two could be internal and going to the combustion chamber and finally coming out as white smoke right outta the exhaust pipe

Answer 7

I had the same problem as you with my jeep. its a leak in the hose or a loose clamp on the hose. try going to a parts store and ask for "Barrs antifreeze stop leak". good luck