Does anyone know if there is supposed to be a hose here? Or if it is a drain of some sort? We have some freezing wether currently in Louisiana and I noted some antifreeze dripping from this opening. I don't remember if there was a hose here or not but it looks like one may have been. Or if it is a drain, maybe it has something to do with the freezing temps?
Antifreeze leaking from 2002 Jeep Wrangler Sport
- Thread starter kristal913
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Does anyone know if there is supposed to be a hose here? Or if it is a drain of some sort? We have some freezing wether currently in Louisiana and I noted some antifreeze dripping from this opening. I don't remember if there was a hose here or not but it looks like one may have been. Or if it is a drain, maybe it has something to do with the freezing temps?
That drip tube drips condensation which is pure water when the a/c or defroster is running. If it starts dripping actual coolant, which feels oily to the skin, that means there's a leak in the heater core behind the firewall. But do keep in mind that tube will always be leaking water/condensation when the a/c or defroster has been running.
I second Jerry- I think your heater core may have busted during the hard freeze.
Jerry once cut a knife with hot butter.
Jerry once cut a knife with hot butter.
It is if it's leaking and if you want heat. Not to mention the engine coolant passes through the heater core so if it's leaking that means your cooling system has a leak.
Verify it's coolant dripping out and not just water/condensation before doing anything. To to mention changing the heater core is one of the bigger PITA jobs done on our TJs. The entire dash has to be removed to get to it.
Yes, but only if it is leaking antifreeze. It’s a fairly time consuming fix that requires the removal of the dash.
The above answers are spot on- just be 100% sure it the core leaking - you can crank the vehicle and run the heat and tell pretty quick because the smell of antifreeze will be very strong
You can disconnect the lines and run it without the heater by joining them together if you’re not using it for winter service
It’s pretty much a dreaded repair- Rumor has it that Jerry needed to do he is and he opted to move to Florida instead. Then again he lived in California, so you have to consider that.
He may have actually moved Florida to him.
You can disconnect the lines and run it without the heater by joining them together if you’re not using it for winter service
It’s pretty much a dreaded repair- Rumor has it that Jerry needed to do he is and he opted to move to Florida instead. Then again he lived in California, so you have to consider that.
He may have actually moved Florida to him.
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It’s definitely antifreeze (liquid is same yellow/green color), and it smells like syrup. I’ve been knowing it had a leak and put it off for a while since I didn’t really need heat, but now with the temps I’ve been running the heater and with the freeze I guess it finally busted. It’s had its fair share of major repairs (clutch, head gasket, transfer case, master cylinder, etc), just not sure if this one is worth keeping the TJ around much longer.
As Kenny Rogers said- You gotta know when to hold them and know when to fold them.
Consider bypassing the leaky heater core by disconnecting its hoses at the firewall and connecting them together. They have very slightly different hose diameters so choose the brass hose splice with that in mind.
Bypass it or you'll eventually run the risk of running out of coolant and blowing a head gasket, or worse the engine from overheating... I want to say Doorman has a kit on Amazon / Autozone that lets your easily bypass it.
This is from someone that had it happen to them within a week of ownership. The previous owner of my Jeep didn't even know or care to disclose that the heater core was leaking.
Thanks guys. We put a 3/4 barb hose splice on it. Should do the trick