Water leaking under front end

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Water leaking under front end

November 27, 2012, 11:48:40 pm

After driving 1 1/2 hours, we noticed what appears to be water dripping under the front end. After opening the generator access door I can almost see where it's coming from. Further looking reveals a tube that is cut off and just ends there. The attached photo shows it just to the passenger side of the generator.
What is this for? It dripped quite a bit, but stopped after about 10 minutes. We had been using the in-dash heater for our entire trip.

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #1 – November 27, 2012, 11:58:02 pm

Dick it definitely looks like a drain due to the angle cut, but from what ? Hope not a heater core leak. Is it clear or coloured?
John H

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #2 – November 28, 2012, 12:06:54 am

Appears clear and unscented. Does not look like coolant.

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #3 – November 28, 2012, 12:22:00 am

On the curb side of our generator door opening, we have a drain tube that connects to the drain pan under our dash A/C evaporator and heater core.

We attached a plastic container under the drain tube to collect the fluids. It turned out that the fluids had a hydrometer reading indicating it was engine coolant, which turned out to be a heater core leak. Our container now just collects water when we run our engine air conditioning compressor.

Because we were losing coolant, we put ball valves on the engine where the coolant heater hoses come and go so we could stop the leaking until we were able to get the heater core replaced. Ball valves are still in place for a future emergency. I did turn the valves off during one summer very hot spell to keep the hot water out of the long heater hoses and dash area.

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #4 – November 28, 2012, 08:27:45 am

Most likely the condensate drain for the dash A/C. Were you running the dash air at the time?

Look up the hose and see if it goes to the dash HVAC "housing".

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #5 – November 28, 2012, 08:34:18 am

Dick, I agree with Brett, probably condensate from HVAC, even if you are not running AC when you run Defrost the compressor runs to act as an air dryer to remove moisture from inside the front WS. On a hotter day when you are running the AC as soon as you park take a look to see if it is really dripping, this will indicate AC condensate. On mine I reach and sometimes exceed freeze temp at evaporator and as soon as I shut down ice melts and condensate pours from drain. My drain is on Right side behind grill which is different for the bus types.
Gary B

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #6 – November 28, 2012, 08:59:47 am

Be glad its dripping! I've seen them back up and run water all over the floor and carpet.

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #7 – November 28, 2012, 05:28:32 pm

Was not running dash A/C or defrost. Did have the dash heater on for the entire trip.
Barry, I put a container in place to collect a decent sample.
How do we replace a heater core in an '03?

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #8 – November 28, 2012, 06:41:00 pm

I know how I would replace it. I would drive to Nacogdoches and then invite you to join me there for the repair. LOL

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #9 – November 28, 2012, 06:59:44 pm

Dick,

If it is coolant, it will have a very distinctive "coolant" smell. Does it?

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #10 – November 28, 2012, 11:03:11 pm

Brett, I caught a little in my hand when I first saw it. It appeared clear and without any odor I could detect. It did not have any red coloration.
I will have to wait a few weeks to get a better sample in the plastic bottle I hung.
Thanks, Dick

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #11 – November 29, 2012, 06:48:13 am

Dick, First off, I love the new picture. Second, during my last visit to Nac, I learned the dash selector for heat/defrost/a/c has positions that run the a/c compressor that I was not aware of. Started off with my concern the defrost did not have the compressor running, learned it does IF you have selector in next to last notch before the defrost, in defrost, no compressor.
Only reason for mentioning this, if you are not leaking antifreeze and have clear non smelly water, where else could it come from than condinsation from the compressor running ?
While engine is running and you have the selector in your normal heat position, walk to rear, open engine hatch and see if the compressor is turning (clutch engaged).
Just a thought.
Trust the A-H is still making hot shower water

Enjy
Dave M

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #12 – January 18, 2013, 07:04:06 pm

The liquid coming out of that drain was in fact water. I am not seeing that now that we are in SoCal.

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #13 – January 19, 2013, 08:57:35 am

Quote from: Dick S – January 18, 2013, 07:04:06 pm

The liquid coming out of that drain was in fact water. I am not seeing that now that we are in SoCal.

Whoo Hoo!!! Bullet dodged!!!

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #14 – January 19, 2013, 10:19:22 am

Too bad you ruined the bottle, as you might have a little cottage industry going. Making water while traveling, some great name, high price, could cover part of the diesel fuel costs of travel.

Know one time we had the main AC drain line in the house back up in the wall. I did a quick and easy garden hose connection and threw the hose end into the pool, couple of months of "free" water.

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Water leaking under front end

November 27, 2012, 11:48:40 pm

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #1 – November 27, 2012, 11:58:02 pm

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #2 – November 28, 2012, 12:06:54 am

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #3 – November 28, 2012, 12:22:00 am

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #4 – November 28, 2012, 08:27:45 am

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #5 – November 28, 2012, 08:34:18 am

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #6 – November 28, 2012, 08:59:47 am

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #7 – November 28, 2012, 05:28:32 pm

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #8 – November 28, 2012, 06:41:00 pm

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #9 – November 28, 2012, 06:59:44 pm

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #10 – November 28, 2012, 11:03:11 pm

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #11 – November 29, 2012, 06:48:13 am

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #12 – January 18, 2013, 07:04:06 pm

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #13 – January 19, 2013, 08:57:35 am

Re: Water leaking under front end

Reply #14 – January 19, 2013, 10:19:22 am

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