Engine leak / random hose to nowhere

[4Jah]

Excuse my ignorance, but I suspect this (see pictures) hose to nowhere is dripping engine coolant.. (yellowish, slick) but I can’t find another place for the other end of the house. Radiator overflow reservoir is almost empty too... anybody recognize this hose coming out of firewall behind the glove compartment just below the AC?

Is this supposed to be this way or is it supposed to run to somewhere?

thanks

 

[btn]

That’s normal. It’s the drain from the air conditioning evaporator under the dash. Moisture in the air condenses on it and it drips out of that drain to the ground.

But it shouldn’t have coolant coming out, just water.

Any coolant pooling up in passenger side footwell?

 

[4Jah]

Nothing in the passenger footwell..

It may not be coolant then. It’s definitely dripping from that hose, but it’s not water. It’s super thin, and slick. Once I rub it between my fingers until it dries it gets sticky..

it has no smell..

 

[4Jah]

Also, my AC doesn’t work so I never run it.. this drip just started last night..

 

[TJ4Jim]

Also, my AC doesn’t work so I never run it.. this drip just started last night..

It sounds like the heater core has developed a leak. The heater core shares a drain pan with the AC evap coil and coolant can drip out the drain if the coil has failed. The two heater hoses that enter the firewall above the drain in your pic can be looped together until you have the core replaced.

 

[4Jah]

What’s a ballpark cost and effort involved to replace the heater core?

 

[TJ4Jim]

What’s a ballpark cost and effort involved to replace the heater core?

Core replacement can be expensive, the entire dash has to be remove for access the the heater box located behind the glove box. Maybe others who had it replaced can chime in with the cost.

 

[4Jah]

Ok thanks..

 

[CharlesHS]

Since your A/C doesn't work and the evaporator core is with in the same housing as the heater core; that yellowish slick substance is OIL from the air conditioning system. That means that your evaporator coil has a leak....

 

[4Jah]

Since your A/C doesn't work and the evaporator core is with in the same housing as the heater core; that yellowish slick substance is OIL from the air conditioning system. That means that your evaporator coil has a leak....

ok thanks.
Which is worse? Heater core or evaporator coil?

I’m definitely not low on oil.. dip stick reads in the safe area..

My radiator seems low on coolant, and overflow reservoir is almost empty. The radiator is literally brand new.. (replaced back in January, with all hoses and water pump)

 

[Vasq]

Not engine oil. I think he's saying your a/c compressor oil is leaking?

 

[4Jah]

Not engine oil. I think he's saying your a/c compressor oil is leaking?

Oh. Ok.. thanks for the clarification..

 

[CharlesHS]

Not engine oil. I think he's saying your a/c compressor oil is leaking?

Exactly....
Thanks...

 

[4Jah]

Next question: any Charlotte NC Jeep shops recommended? We just moved here from Tx about a month ago.. I can google, but if there’s any other local NC folks here that can vouch for a shop, that’d be great.

 

[CharlesHS]

Primal 4x4 and Tarheel 4WD....

https://www.primal4x4andfab.com/https://www.tarheel4wdcenter.com/

 

[4Jah]

Primal 4x4 and Tarheel 4WD....

Thanks!

 

[TJ4Jim]

Since your A/C doesn't work and the evaporator core is with in the same housing as the heater core; that yellowish slick substance is OIL from the air conditioning system. That means that your evaporator coil has a leak....

Why would oil just start leaking from an inoperable A/C system that is most likely not under pressure.

 

[CharlesHS]

IF the Jeep has been sitting in the sun the heat of the sun will cause the residual refrigerant to pressurize and push the oil out; plus I am sure that the oil has been leaking out for a while.

 

[4Jah]

IF the Jeep has been sitting in the sun the heat of the sun will cause the residual refrigerant to pressurize and push the oil out; plus I am sure that the oil has been leaking out for a while.

possibly..

I did turn on the defrost Friday night driving home from a softball game..

Heat and defrost still work, or it did last I used it prior to Friday night (6mo ago maybe) The AC doesn’t work because the previous owner had an audio fuse (that ran between an amp In the back and the battery) burn a hole in a refrigerant line (I’m surprised it didn’t catch on fire TBH) and it was going to be expensive to fix, so I never did.

FWIW, the burnt wire/fuse was one of the first things I replaced 3 years ago when I got the Jeep. But was unaware it had burned a hole in the line until I went to get the AC fixed and the mechanic showed me. I immediately knew it was from the fuse burning.

 

[CharlesHS]

Probably burned a hole in the one of the lines near the accumulator/drier. New line sets are available at Rock Auto for $15-45 depending upon which line you need.