Coolant leaking around AC intake?

[Detlef]

Went for a spirited drive this morning and when I pulled back into the garage I noticed a little smoke and a sweet smell coming from the RHS. Opened the hood and saw coolant all around the black box that has the hole through the hood (AC intake I suppose). It isn't much coolant but has streaks all around and down next to the header shields on the engine side and down to the sidesill covers on the exterior side. What do you think? Should I drive it to the dealer, it's 15+ miles? I can't really see where it's coming from. Thoughts?

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Make sure the coolant is filled and take a few gallons with you when you take the 15 mile drive to the dealer. Keep an eye on the temp and keep the rpm under 2K.

Or you could fill it, take another spirited drive then pop the hood while the motor is running and look for the leak yourself. But if you don't plan on fixing it yourself save your time and just take it to the dealer.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Check the heater hoses in and out of the heater valve...just to the rear of the air intake you described...the two clamps holding the heater hoses are a different style band clamp (no screw, not the usual D-C constant-tension clamp)...have seen some work loose.

Anyone see the heater valve itself as a source of coolant leak ?

 

[3snakes]

I have a 2002 rt/10 had the heater hose rub thur. this was a factory hose. i replace it with a hose form the parts store. the coat on the out side did not do its job. steve

 

[Detlef]

Turned out to be the heater valve itself. They replaced the clamps with the constant tension ones as well.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Glad to hear that you have had the fix...the same thing happened to a friend's 01...new water valve and hoses just arrived for him at the dealer.