Hi,

First off, I know nothing about cars and appreciate your advice.

While my wife was driving home, she said the suv's A/C was not running cold and upon pulling into the driveway, she saw a leak coming from under the hood and some minor white smoke.

When I got home, I saw the liquid. It's not coolant, it is clear/somewhat brownish and slippery. Do you think this is the AC compressor? I have no panel warning displays when I turn on the vehicle.

I turned on the vehicle this morning, ran it for about a minute and saw the leaking again. I also heard a pinging sound.

I know I need to take this in, but do you think it is ok to drive it to my dealer (about 18 miles away)?

Thoughts on the problem?

Thank you.

 

I would check to see how much coolant and oil you have. When the a/c is running the evaporator will drip water after a few minutes. You might just be describing dirty water . Next time it leaks, I would smell the fluid. If it smells like nothing its just water, if its sweet smelling its coolant, if it smells like exhaust its oil. If its only leaking water, I wouldn't be too concerned about driving it. However, the white smoke makes me a bit concerned. Check your fluids first. If they are in range, fire it up and find out where the leak is coming from and what it is. The pinging could be a number of things. I won't really know until you check your fluids.

BTW, how do you have a 2003 P38? They stopped making them in 2002.

 

Thank you... It's a 2002, mistyped/brain giving out.

It looks like it's the water pump according to the shop.

Thank you for your help.

 

A water pump can cause all of the symptoms listed.