Leaking antifreeze?

Tiny
MONIELUV
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 35,452 MILES
My van is leaking antifreeze from the right side of my car; could it be the hoses or the waterpump? If it is the waterpump how do I change? What are the steps I must take?
Friday, July 3rd, 2009 AT 1:45 PM

35 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi:
Under the water pump there is a (about 1/4") weep hole. Check to see if there is evidence of a leak. If there is, the water pump needs replaced. As far as directions, this is an involved process. I can try to explain it, but I recommend getting a repair manual that has step by step instructions and pictures to identify parts.

This guide will help us

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-is-leaking-coolant

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Friday, July 3rd, 2009 AT 4:35 PM
Tiny
T THISAINTWHATYOUWANT TOLSON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 188,000 MILES
I have been noticing that after I have driven my minivan and parked it, when I come out a day or two later antifreeze has leaked out, but not from the radiator. It is leaking from someplace behind the passenger side front tire. And now it is overheating, but not all the way, only when I am at a light, after I move the vehicle the needle returns to the halfway mark. What could be the cause of this?
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
Of course it will overheat when it gets low on coolant. You need to stop driving it first, and then you have to pressure test the cooling system to pinpoint the leak and repair it.
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EMMETTO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,000 MILES
Is it common for the water pump to fail on this model town and country? It was suggested by a former Chrysler repair person that it does and leaks out the weephole. Can I do this myself?
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,755 POSTS
Hi:

I am not aware of this being a common problem. In fact most that I've replaced have had around 80K to 90K on them. If you are getting an aftermarket pump, you may want to select a different brand or purchase one from the dealer. It may be a little more, but it should last longer.

As far as doing it yourself, it is an involved process and I'm not sure what your abilities are.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Joe
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 92,000 MILES
3.8L V6. Coolant is leaking from the overflow valve at the top of the recovery tank. I've replaced the radiator cap to no avail. There don't appear to be any leaks coming from the upper radiator hose or the line running from the recovery tank to the radiator. Coolant is not overfilled in the recovery tank, and it needs to be topped off every few days. The leak is worse when the tank is more full. Could this be a thermostat problem?
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
No it may be just to full drive for a week and see what happens, if low then have pressure checked for internal leak
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DRPOWERCAT
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  • 3 POSTS
  • 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 6 CYL
  • 135,000 MILES
Frequently replacing coolant in 2003 Chrysler Town and Country when heater stops blowing hot air, but there are no visible signs of a leak on ground. Where would the leak likely be located?
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
Possible leaking head gasket. You can add a bottle of dye to the coolant, then look at the tail pipe with a black light. The dye will show up bright yellow after driving a few miles.
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DRPOWERCAT
  • MEMBER
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Thank you. I was afraid somebody was going to say that. I am going to take it in and have it looked at, but can you give me a ballpark for what that job might cost? It doesn't sound cheap.
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
A typical head gasket job could run $500.00 to $700.00. Your engine is not an "interference" engine. Those engines have valves and pistons that occupy the same space but at different times, ... As long as the timing belt is installed correctly. Any problem with the belt breaking or jumping a few teeth, or incorrect installation after replacing head gaskets results in the need for a valve job which will add a whole bunch to the repair bill. Your engine uses a chain instead of a belt and it's not an interference engine.

Caradiodoc
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ORENANNA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2003 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 101,000 MILES
Hi, I have a coolant leak from faulty freeze plug on engine block. Job will cost $600.00 I cannot pay this amount. In the summer I refilled car with water but in the winter here in New Jersey that is no longer an option. I put in a gallon every week. What are my options if I do not want to put $600.00 into this car?
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Well depending on the size and location, this could be an option.

And yes, if this helps, you are going to need to use anti-freeze again.

Look behind door # 1!

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web/PartSearchCmd?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&pageId=partTypeList&suggestion=&actionSrc=Form&langId=-1&vehicleIdSearch=-1&vehicle_1060326=2015+%3A+Cadillac+%3A+CTS+Performance+%3A+3.6L+217CI+V6+FI+VIN%3A+3-LFX-Flex&searchTerm=freeze+plug+-+rubber&searchedFrom=header

Keep us posted!

The Medic
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ORENANNA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I don't understand what option? In the winter I cannot refill with just water? And adding antifreeze every week will be expensive so what can I do? What do you mean look behind door #1
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Hi ORENANNA,

It sounds a little expensive for just a freeze plug. Do you no where it is located, maybe the shop just doesn't want to do it. You need the engine to hold coolant so I would get a second opinion, most shops wont charge you to just look at it.

Please let us know what happens.

Best, Ken
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
There is no option like ken says get a second opinion if it's that much money it must be in a fairly inaccessible place
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ORENANNA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes its near or on the engine block. They have to remove the transmission to get to it
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DREWSTER
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2001 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 18,000 MILES
I have antifreeze leaking on my rear right passenger sliding door. I just changed my heater core due to leakage inside in front passenger side. So I am confused on the back. Help?
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
That is why i'ts 600 dollars check with a trans shop see if they will do it cheaper.
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If it has a heater core in back that may be leaking as well or the lines going to it. Check those.
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 1:06 PM (Merged)

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