I have a slight leak of water/coolant coming out of the Ac condensation drain even when the AC is not on. I have to top off the coolant a couple times a month. Is this a leaking heater core? How hard is it to replace? Winter is coming and I don't want to be without heat.

 

there are two aluminum pipes that pass through the fire-wall into cabin, and connect to heater core. The heater core is like the first component put in behind the dash. If it's a leaky line at core connection, you might be able to squeeze in there what you need to fix it...if it's the core...that's a major job. You can bypass the core in the engine bay (two black rubber hoses going to firewall ..top of engine)

 

No.

Water coming out of the A/C condensate drain has nothing to do with the loss of coolant from your truck's cooling system.

You can rent/borrow a cooling system pressure testing kit from your local auto parts store at $0 cost. I recommend you get one and use it to diagnose where the leak is that causes you to need to top off the coolant a couple times a month.

Please post again to let us know what you find.

p.s. The throttle body heater is a VERY common source of a leak.

 

"The throttle body heater is a VERY common source of a leak"

I disconnected the throttle body heater years ago. Water does not even run through it.

If water leaking out the condensate drain has nothing to do with the HVAC system, where is that water coming from. The cooling system is the only source of water in the entire truck?

 

ummmm......


this is how your engine heats the cabin......via this core...behind dash...and if it leaks...you loose engine coolant....

 

Right?

That is what I was thinking. If the heater core is leaking, wouldn't that drain out of the tube that runs out near the transmission?

 

yes...that's why the drain pan is there (and for AC condensate, too).....that core is always running at engine coolant temp/pressure...there is no OFF valve

you can do a taste test to be sure it's coolant...drop on your finger and on to tongue..then you will know for sure...

another thing to be aware of....sometimes the pipe junction or core leaks due to increased coolant pressure...from head gasket leak.....