2001 Dodge Caravan Rear Heater Core line leak, A/C problem

KONANGIRL

MEMBER
2001 DODGE CARAVAN
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
134,000 MILES

I bought a used 2001 van. Had for about three wks. And now leaking coolant from a rear heater core line(metal). Can that be spliced with pressurized hose & compression fittings? Have warm air when a/c is on, no cool air. Compressor is rUnning, doesn't seem to kick on and off. Recharged but only took a little bit. Still no cold air. Tried to recharge again, none taken. Like it is full. Still no cold air. Forceful air flow from interior vents but it is warm. Engine also seems to get hotter that most cars would, you can feel heat thru hood, but temp gauge reads okay. This was going on before coolant leak started. Have power steering line leak underneath van toward back of front seats-metal line rusted thru- steady drip. Could this cause a grinding, rubbing noise when turning the steering wheel if pump not getting enough fluid? Or is it something else?Had battery light come on briefly then off, Battery and alternator checked at Advance Auto part store and were fine, Hasn't come on again. Any suggestions?

Friday, August 21st, 2009 AT 6:30 PM

1 Reply

BILLYMAC

MECHANIC
2,204 POSTS

Hi, well where to start. Yes you can splice the heater hose or pipe. But not the a/c.

A/c well you need to know the high side pressure and low side pressure, to know if the compressor is operateing normal. But most likely this is going to be a prob inside your heater box, ie. Blend air door is not opening to adjust from hot air to cool. If this is the case the a/c lines outside should be cold.

Engine hotter then normal. If your temp guage reads from 180-200 it is normal,

STEERING. The power steering line unless resavoir is low will not make noise.
More likely a steering rack causeing this, or the raxk rubbing on something, such as a rubber dust cover or piece of plastic.

BATT LIGHT. The bat light prob will be a prob down the road, this is an indication of a batt prob or an alt. This is a intermittant prob what is most likely going on is the internal voltage regulator inside the alternator is failing sometimes when it does the light will come on. And when it is not malfuntioning the light will be off. And no diagnostic machine will find a prob.

So as far as the alt if you are not leaveing town. Wait until the light comes on and stays on then replace. However if you are going a longer distance I would replace it first half the price at home, then on toll road. Hope this helps you thanks for asking 2carpros. Billymac

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Friday, August 21st, 2009 AT 7:46 PM