98 3.3L Grand Caravan overheated

[DrivenMom]

I do A LOT of driving, commuting my children to school and back, about 60 miles a day.

The van overheated yesterday on the way home from school. When I popped the hood to see where the steam was rising from, it appeared to be coming from the driver's side under and to the right of where the transmission dip-stick is located. I didn't see any steam or hear any hissing from any other location and there was no water under the hood. Once the engine cooled down, the pressure cap was removed to find that the radiator was empty (husband just put antifreeze in it the beginning of Oct.). I re-filled the radiator with plain water in order to get home. As I was filling it, I noticed a steady, small trickle of water mixed with antifreeze leaking just under the area where I indicated seeing the steam rising from.

Once home, my husband jacked up the front end and took a look underneath. He couldn't find a leak and the water had stopped dripping/trickling. The water held over night. We started the engine and took it for a drive to heat it up. As I pulled out of the driveway, we noticed a trickle trail of water/antifreeze but once we returned and let the van idle in the driveway, it didn't leak. We thought it might have been the water pump but we're guessing that's located on the passenger side where the belts are - not where I saw the water or steam coming from when it overheated.

We need a map or picture that will indicate to us where all the hoses are located and how they're routed and exactly where the water pump is.

Does anyone have any ideas where this water may be leaking from?

[Vats]

Check the drain plug on the radiator. It is locaed on the transmission side and can be troublesome as it is only a quarter turn to lock in place.

[daddy0_4]

I have a 93 GV 3.3. Had what I thought was a head gasket leaking but found a heater(?) hose tucked under the exhaust monifold split and leaking. This is near where the engine and trans bolt together. Hope this helps.

[DrivenMom]

Much thanks to both of you. We'll check these out and let you know what we find. So far it's held water since it was re-filled but due to the holidays, we haven't driven the van enough to give it a real test. Whatever it is, it doesn't seem like it will be easy to find until enough pressure is built up to cause it to leak again.

[daddy0_4]

another thing to check, my 93 has plastic tanks on the radiator and i've had issues where the seam of the tanks and core leak(had slipped my mind earlier)