Chrysler Repair: Van w/rear heater-A/C:hoses, dodge grand caravan, radiator hoses

Question
QUESTION: Dodge Grand Caravan 1999 3.3L w/ Auxilliary/Rear Heater-A/C

One of the heater hoses going into front heater core is leaking. I am planning to change all the heater hoses and radiator hoses. I checked Advanced Autoparts and Napa website, and it seems that there are 8 different heater hoses in this model with rear heating. However, I am able to locate only 4. All of these are on driver's side. I am not sure where are the other 4 hoses? I have Haynes manual but it lacks anything about heater hoses. Can you please confirm how many heater hoses are there?

What other components do I need to remove in order to gain access to these?

Thanks for your help.

ANSWER: Hi Shafique,
There are 8 hoses associated with the heating/engine cooling system. There are two large diameter hoses that go from the engine to the radiator (upper and lower) and their are two that go from the engine to front heater core. Those are all in the engine compartment. Presumably one of those two heater hoses is in need of replacement or at least having its clamps tightened.
The other heater 4 heater hoses are associated with the "run" from a  water manifold associated with the engine that is located on the outboard edge of passenger side of the van, near the floor and just behind the front of the crossmember. There are 2 short hoses at that point (out and back) and similarly two short hoses at the rear just below the rear heater-AC unit. In between these two sets of hoses are solid metal lines that run along the underside of the right side of the body. These four short hoses have a conventional clamp at one end and a compress-to-release clamp for quick-disconnect at the other. The latter are released by squeezing on the "ears" that appear on either side, inside a rectangular shaped cut out in the clamp flange. I am not certain that you will need to change all the hoses, so why not visually check their condition. I believe in leaving well enough alone rather than to run the risk of doing damage when dismantling connections. Of course there are also refrigerant lines in the same "run" area so don't confuse which is which.
Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am confused now. From what you said, I understand that there are 2 radiator hoses and 6 heater hoses. Out of 6 heater hoses, only 2 are in the engine compartment towards driver's side. However, I can see 4 heater hoses in the engine compartment on driver's side (excluding the upper and lower radiator hoses). 2 of these coming out of front heater core and other two connecting further piping. I am not able to see where exactly they go as it is really obscured.

I decided to change all the heater hoses becasue generall it is said that if is going bad, others will follow soon.

Thanks for your help!

Answer
Hi Shafique,
I suspect the other two are routed down to the underfloor level, on the passenger side near the front crossmember which is where I described the connections of the front pair of short hoses (I suspected some sort of metal manifold, but I could be wrong about the coupler). Because I have not personally studied such a vehicle, may I suggest that you go to a Chrysler dealer parts deparment and ask to look at their computer screen of the page which shows the hoses for the rear heater set-up? In my experience there are always drawings of each of the systems of the car in these parts "catalogs", so you should be able to get a good idea visually from that page, and also get an accurate listing of the various hoses and their Chrysler part numbers.
I would suggest that you not replace all the hoses as I suspect that you may cause injury to some connections that are otherwise not problematic at this time. I would just inspect the hoses and clamps as an alternative to buying/doing all that changeover. I respect your judgement in the matter, however.
Roland