Antifreeze leak

[Arkma]

1999 Venture 3400 SFI. 115K had LIM done once at 30K. Leaking antifreeze on the passanger side. I can not see where it is coming from, I know it's not coming from the water pump. Seems back further. Is it the dreaded LIM gasket? From below the van I can only see fluid dripping from the frame channel. Any suggestions other than the LIM. How can I verify the LIM if I can't see it leaking? It leaves a 6 inch puddle overnight.

[rockwood84]

get it up on some ramps and look for the leak with a light .

[Nitro23]

Could be several items. Check the bypass hose above the water pump.
Check the water pump.
Check lower radiator hose.
Those are all on Pass side.

Typically, LIM is internal, in the oil, and you will notice you're losing coolant.

Head gasket symptom is typically irractic temp spikes and will leak internal and/or external. Internal typically white exhaust.

[Arkma]

I am definetly losing coolant, thus the subject <antifreeze leak> Anyway, all hoses seem intact as well as the water pump. Seems more toward the rear of the engine on the passenger side.

[merc81]

Its a real bear to find a leak in those hoses at the firewall Nitro23 is talking about. I had one that had a pin hole leak that squirted clear over the top of the engine. If you have the dual heaters for front and rear then there are T connectors back there and the the hoses are stressed to begin with. Over time, they just give it up. I'd say its worth pulling the motor mounts in the front and loosening the lower mount on the engine so you can roll the whole engine forward and out of the way to get at those hoses.

Water in the location you describe is usually a bad heater hose squirting onto the exhaust manifold in the back.

John

[Arkma]

John,
Thanks I'll be rolling the engine forward this weekend to explore more clearly where the leak is at. Last I could tell, on the pulley side of the motor where the power steering unit is there are some preformed power steering lines running down the face of the engine. antifreeze was running down one of them and then dripping down on the frame channel, I could not see how it was getting on the pwrsteering line though.

[Nitro23]

Right next to the PS pump are the water pump, heater bypass, and LIM. The heater bypass has an o-ring on it and held in by 1 bolt. Also, some models have a coolant line that runs to the oil filter. There is also the bleeder valve. On the engine side of the PS pump is the LIM valley. If it's lower, might be a head gasket.

There are many points where there might be a leak. Will be tought to track down.

What's you temp gauge doing?