What is this and why is it leaking coolant?

David Tranter

David Tranter

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Joined
Jul 19, 2021
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4
Location
Thunder Bay
Hi there. My 2002 Jeep TJ (2.5L) just recently started to very slowly drip coolant from the opening in the attached pic--located in the firewall on the passenger side. This does not seem to be a hose connection point. Any ideas what it is and why it might now be leaking?

Jeap Leak.png
 
Hi, welcome to the Forum! I have no idea, but I look forward to learning from whoever answers your question.
 
SkylinesSuck said:
That is your condenser drain for the a/c. It normally drips water when the a/c is running. If it is in fact leaking coolant, your heater core is toast.
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Thank you for your reply. I don't have A/C. Never have needed it up here in northern Canada. At least not until the last few years! Thanks for the heater core heads up!
 
David Tranter said:
Thank you for your reply. I don't have A/C. Never have needed it up here in northern Canada. At least not until the last few years! Thanks for the heater core heads up!
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I would bypass your heater ASAP. You don't want to lose too much coolant, plus it can leak inside the cabin.

This is what I did since I'm not in a rush to replace the heater core.

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Him being in northern Canada vs you being in Australia will change that equation somewhat, but yes, until it's fixed, I'd do that. That will likely be a very short term bandaid for him though. Here in the northern hemisphere.......

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This is one of the more thorough videos I have seen for the job. I used this while I was doing my own (twice). However you can leave the steering column in the Jeep for the job. With a ratchet strap and some careful positioning, you can get the heater box out of the Jeep with it in place.


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-T. said:
This is one of the more thorough videos I have seen for the job. I used this while I was doing my own (twice). However you can leave the steering column in the Jeep for the job. With a ratchet strap and some careful positioning, you can get the heater box out of the Jeep with it in place.


View attachment 269847View attachment 269848
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That is stupid. Pulling the column is 5 minutes, 10 if you are taking your time. There are ways to do things, there aren't many that make your life that difficult.
 
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mrblaine said:
That is stupid. Pulling the column is 5 minutes, 10 if you are taking your time. There are ways to do things, there aren't many that make Well, I guess I'm just stupid then. It worked for me. There's no strain on the dash or anything, the strap just holds the dash up out of the way and avoids disconnecting a bunch of other stuff. But you're the super polite and kind old pro around here, so I guess your way is the right way. I'll STFU and let you offer up all the help around these parts from now on. Good luck everyone!
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David Tranter said:
Thank you for the bypass suggestion. I have searched this forum and now see that it comes up quite a bit! I have ordered a new heater core and will replace it ASAP. My jeep is not my DD, so I can pull the dash off in my spare time. I have already found a great heater core replacement thread here: https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-replace-the-heater-core-on-a-jeep-wrangler-tj.471/
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i hope you ordered your new heater core from Performance Radiator so you get some heat out of it being up there in Canada...
 
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