QuestionGreetings! Drove my dad's Full size Ford van (100k miles, 2000 or 2001?) to Florida & back recently. It has rear heat, which was on continuously for several hours on the way home back to Michigan(was a cold trip home!)
Anyway - when I got home & backed into the drive, I noticed what appeared to be anti-freeze leaking from the mid-to rear of the vehicle. I'm not a mechanic and haven't crawled underneath yet - but generally understand how most things work and will occasionionaly take on certain repairs myself if fairly straightforward.
Not sure how the rear heat works exactly, but assume that it sends back hot coolant to the rear heat unit? Am I looking for a leak in the lines (and is this an easy repair?) or might there be an overflow of some type because it got too hot?
I haven't drove it much since, but doesn't appear to be leaking (when cold) and coolant level seems ok. Just want to know what I should look for before deciding to tackle it myself or take it in.
Thanks! Scott
AnswerHello and thanks for the question...I'll try to help.
Yup, you're pretty much right....there are tubes that run along the underside of the van to the rear.... they get salt/sand/rocks/and other stuff hitting them 24/7.
What I would suggest to do is, clean the underside of the van first, jack the vehicle up and place it on jack stands, Start it up and check for leaks......They usually aren't THAT tough to replace. If you have access to a black light, that's the best way, because you can trace the flow/loss of coolant. You'll have to add the special dye to the coolant, run to temp. and then check, but it's a heck of a lot easier then trying to spot it that way. Also, IF you do find a leak, try clampping off the lines at a hose section, so the entire engine doesn't drain and loose it's coolant.
Hope this helps,
Erik
