I have a 97 f-150 Triton. Over the past two weeks the weirdest thing has happened. I am starting to leak a substantial amount of fluids underneath the truck next to the passanger side. It starts after I have driven 5-10 miles and stop the engine. It will leak for about 10 min. at a slow pace but it loses alot of fluid. While Im driving and I have the A/C on for about 5 minutes a lite smoke/steam starts to come out of the A/C vents. I soon start to smell a strong, anti-freeze smell. I have been watching the gauge and it has not moved at all. (not running hot) I have'nt had any overheating issues. And the truck seems to be running fine otherwise. When I check the coolant level it dosent seem to be losing alot of fluids. SOMEONE HELP! I have never experienced anything like this. Where should I look. What could this be? How much to fix? I AM LOST! Is it serious? Give me some help guys. You have always come through for me. Make it another.

Thanks
Derrick

 

Possible heater core gone bad. I would take it to a radiator shop and get it pressure tested and have them look close at the core. I had an 81 Buick Regal do the same thing and the core was bad. The liquid under the passenger side most likely is water from the cab. This is normal as the AC is taking water (humidity) from the air in your cab and pissing it out the bottom! Even though you're running the AC, antifreeze still runs through the core.

Just a thought, good luck.

 

Get this done - don't wait. Once you've had the pleasure of having the heater core fail when cooling system is above 212º you would act if you even though you smelled a little anti-freeze. The entire cab can fill with slimey glycol steam in an instant, just like movie special effects steam - driving hanging out the window to see and breath aint no fun!

 

Yup, I drove like that for 2 weeks because I didnt have the money or the time to fix it and the interior gets a bad smell.

 

I just had the same symptoms in my 97 4.6 tritton. Heater coil bad..just loop the in line to the out line by the firewall..you're bypassing the system.. here in Fl it really doesn't get cold long enough to make me want to change it now..