Passenger Floor Coolant

[tracyclifton]

2011 JKU Rubicon. Hard top/auto. I didn't see a similar problem using the search engine. I found my front passenger carpet is soaked in coolant. I pulled the carpet and it was clearly coolant. I pulled the glove box and inspected all under the dash. I couldn't find any sign of coolant around the heater core or anything. No visible signs of coolant running down into the floor. I'm keeping the carpet out to see if I can tell what is going on. Has anyone seen this before? If so where should I concentrate my leak search? I have had to add a coolant lately so I assume it is indeed a leak into the cab. Thanks for the help.

 

[BLACKJKU]

It's either the heater core or the clamp is loose on the core's tube and it's spraying in around the tube, no other way for coolant to come in the cab.

 

[tracyclifton]

So after 2 days with the carpet out, there is no leak anywhere. No a drop of anything in the floor pan or anywhere under the dash that I can see. I've had the Jeep for 17 months. Is it possible the floor was full when I bought it and it has just been there? I don't think so. I'm going to continue to monitor it with the carpet out and see what happens.

 

[BLACKJKU]

Are you still having to add coolant?

 

[tracyclifton]

No. I added some coolant a while back. I check it after it sits overnight and it is up to the line I have on the overflow. It has been a little cool the last 2 days so I've been running it in defrost with the temp all the way up. It may take more driving to see something.

 

[tracyclifton]

After 3 days of driving it finally showed up. Appears to be coming from the crimp where the tube connects to the heater core.

 

[Anybodyhome]

View attachment 124324 After 3 days of driving it finally showed up. Appears to be coming from the crimp where the tube connects to the heater core.

Good you found it. Fortunately a new hose and/or connection is all that's necessary.

 

[tracyclifton]

It will require a new heater core. The leak is where the metal tube crimps into the core. No clamps or hoses.

 

[tracyclifton]

So I decided to try to fix it with JBWeld since I had some in the toolbox. I cleaned and covered that whole crimp joint really well and let it dry for 24 hours. It has been over 2 weeks and 600+ miles and I don't see a drop of coolant yet. I have a little catch pan under the joint with a sponge in it and it has remained bone dry. No coolant under the carpet on either side. If this holds up until winter I'll be happy.