Water leak, interior front floor boards are wet

ADELE CORVETTE

MEMBER
2005 JEEP LIBERTY
3.7L
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
143,000 MILES

I have to put 1 to 2 gallons in my vehicle's overflow after each time I drive it. If I don't it overheats. There is no obvious leak, no water under it, no visible cracks in cooling system, no water under hood etc. It has a small amount of white smoke out the tailpipe so I was worried about a head gasket but nothing in oil or coolant and it runs fine. It only runs hot when it's out of water. The driver and passenger floorboards both stay soaked with water and have standing water in them everyday. I thought maybe it was a leak from sunroof and started covering with a tarp when rains but water still gets inside even when it doesn't rain. Is it possible the water from cooling system is leaking inside on both floorboards? I've just been putting water not coolant in it. Also the heater would not work last time I tried it until I started driving the vehicle even after running for 20 minutes.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Hi,

If the coolant is on the floor in the vehicle, the heater core is likely bad. Here is what I would try. With the engine cold, fill the cooling system and then pressure test it. Pay attention under the dash for coolant leaking.

You will need a pressure tester. Most parts stores will lend one to you. Here is a link that explains how it's done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

If you find that coolant is coming from under the dash, here is a link that shows in general how a heater core is replaced:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-heater-core

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Here are the directions specific to your vehicle. Pic 1 correlates with these directions.

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2005 Jeep Truck Liberty 4WD V6-3.7L VIN K
Removal and Replacement
Vehicle Heating and Air Conditioning Heater Core Service and Repair Removal and Replacement
REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT
REMOVAL

Warning:
- on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the airbag system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the airbag system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the air-bag system. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment and possible personal injury or death.
- refer to the applicable warnings and cautions for this system before performing the following operation. Failure to follow the warnings and cautions could result in possible personal injury or death.

1. Remove the HVAC housing. See: Housing Assembly HVAC > Removal and Replacement

Heater Core

pic 1

2. If equipped, remove the two screws that secure the heater core in the HVAC housing.
3. Gently push back on the two heater core retaining tabs and remove the heater core from the HVAC housing.

INSTALLATION
1. Position the heater core into the HVAC housing.
2. Push the top of the heater core down until the retaining tabs lock the heater core into place.
3. If equipped, install the two screws that secure the heater core to the HVAC housing. Tighten the screws to 2 N.m (17 in.lbs.).

NOTE: If the heater core is being replaced, flush the cooling system.

4. Install the HVAC housing.

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Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

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