My 1997 ford expedtion is leaking water on the passerger side.. I can't find the leak.. when i turn my a/c on i smell the radiator and fogs up my windows when the heater is on. is my heater core bad? or a hose that is leaking my the core?

Check for water in the oil (gooey foam after running) - blown head gasket. Check for exhaust smelling bubbles in the radiator - blown head gasket. Otherwise heat activated fan switch (on the radiator) is not coming on soon enough or at all. No fan will overheat an engine especially if a lot of stop and go or idling on warm days.Most common is a stuck thermostat, blocking circulation. Other causes are a blocked radiator - shut a warmed engine off and feel the radiator all over - if too cool in some areas, it is possibly getting clogged up inside. If you are getting radiator antifreeze smell inside the car (fogging the windshield when the car starts in cool weather) your heater core is leaking.

Well, if the coolant is leakimg from the HVAC drain, then you need a heater core, no matter what. You really have to jack it up and look, but I can give you a couple of pointers......

1. The water pump is leaking. That happens a lot. The coolant is leaking near the front of the car, near the center, but ever so slightly towards the drivers side. You need a special tool to replace it and I think gm has an updated cover and gasket.

2. The water pump housing is leaking. The gaskets that seal it to the block are made of plastic and deteriorate often. The coolant will be leaking at the center of the car, maybe up by the water pump, or back between the engine and transmission.

3. The heater hoses. I have only seen this 2 time, but the metal pipes corrode along the fire wall.

4. You could need a radiator. I have seen the side tanks leak a few times.....


Just A couple of places to look, but you have to get under and look....

A number of things. Check the hoses for cracks or leaks especially around thermostat housing. Look for green coloring. Also check radiator by looking underneath engine. Best way to check is by running the SUV. Make sure you put water in radiator and secure cap to pressurize the system. One other place to look for leaks is the overflow tank.

yes it sounds like it might be the heater core when your heater core goes bad it leaks and seeing that it is in the cab it will have that smell usually when it leaks your floors will be wet from the leak. bypass the heater core unitl you can get it fixed to prevent any electrical problems

I could be either one,but if you smell antifreeze, than you should be able to see a leak while the engine is at running temp. Fell the floor for wetness for heater core, Check under the hood for wetness for hose or radiator. Also, if your windshield fogs up, it is most likely the heater core. You can also pressure test the cooling system to verify where the leak is.

Do you have any coolant on the passenger side floor board? Coolant causing the radiator to fog up is a symptom of a leaking heater core.

I suspect you have a leak in the heater core. When you turn the heater on do you get a sweet smell and or any fog up by the windshield for a short moment? Is this water possibly green or orange, If it is the heater core the liquid would be the same as the coolant in the radiator.

is the passenger floor wet if so you need a heater core is there a sickly sweet smell do your windows fog all signs of heater core leak

It is either condensation water from the A/C unit that should go out a drain tube to the outside (only if A/C or Defrost is on) or a leaky heater core. If it is a heater core you can usually smell a coolant smell and the water will be warm and your windows will fog up inside. Heater core is more common. Joe ASE Master Tech

the heater core is leaking.