Chrysler Repair: Coolant Leak: 99 Concorde 3.2L, 1999 chrysler concorde, coolant hoses

Question
I have a 1999 Chrysler Concorde 3.2L V6. I am noticing a coolant leak on the back side (bottom) of the motor by the transmission. I replaced the water pump and timing belt 15,000 miles ago. It seems like it takes a while for heater to heat up the car. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Danni,
I would suspect that a leak at that location has to do with the connections between the engine cooling system and the heater core in the cabin. There is a coolant supply line from the engine to and through the firewall and a return line back to the engine. There are a combination of hoses and metal tubes that constitute each line and a clamp at each juncture between a hose and a metal tube. One of the clamps may be loose and therefore leaking coolant or one of the coolant hoses could be cracked at the clamp fitting or anywhere along the length of the hose. There is not likely to be a leak at the rear of the engine unless one of the engine block freeze plugs is leaking which is not very likely. Also, if you had a leak in either the ingoing or outgoing lines to the heater there might develop an air bubble which may impeded the pumping of the coolant subsequently which would explain the lack of rapid heating experienced in the cabin.
I would start at the firewall where you will find a pair of hoses about midline and about at the height of the middle of the dash. Check the clamps right at the firewall, and then note and trace each of the two hoses back all the way to the outlets at the engine to which they are attached. Look for leakage at any interconnections and tighten any hose clamps that are seen along the paths, particularly those that would be near the rear of the engine where you noticed the leak on back of the motor/by the transmission. If that search is not noteworthy, a radiator shop might be the most knowledgeable place to go other than a dealer, if you want to save on labor costs, possibly to find the source of the leak and repair it.
Roland