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Elliot Naess
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/07/2005
20:46:07
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 Subject: Coolant leak behind big bracket
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Message:
Hi:
Could use some help here.
1998 5.2 leaks radiator coolant. It looked to be the thermostat gasket, and I managed to change that. Still leaks. Using a pressure tester, it looks like the water comes out below the thermostat but above the water pump -- water runs down on the outside of the water pump, towards the passenger side. Peeking below the A/C compressor, I see a hose clamp! What's hiding back there??? How hard is it to get that cast alternator-A/C bracket off?
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daffydak
GenIII
5/08/2005
00:16:02
| RE: Coolant leak behind big bracket
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Message:
it's probably leaking from the bypass hose.. it's pretty much exactly where you describe it being.
Try a search for "bypass hose" it turned up a lot of pages pertaining to it.
Hope I helped
Dan
MOPAR=More Power!!
00 CC Sport Plus 4.7L 4X4 Auto, 3:55 LSD
Flowmaster orig. 40 series (2 chamber) muffler, adjusted tps to .76V, ported TB, home brew intake setup w/K&N filter, Superchips 3715 Tuner more mods to come!!!
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Elliot Naess
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/08/2005
00:42:33
| RE: Coolant leak behind big bracket
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Message:
Thanks! An inaccessible bypass hose -- "brilliant"! I'm still looking for info on the big cast bracket that hides it -- not having much luck with the search feature. Any tricks, or just unscrew things until it's apart and reassemble in reverse order?
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IntenseDak39
*GenIII*
5/08/2005
10:49:23
| RE: Coolant leak behind big bracket
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Message:
if it's your bypass hose, you're gonna have to do a little work to get to it.. easy work, but time consuming.
The bypass hose is underneath the a/c-alternator support bracket. Here's a little break-down on how to get to it.. i might miss some little details but you'll get the idea when you start removing parts.
* disconnect battery
* remove alternator (two mounting bolts + wires)
* remove the little support bar at the top of the alternator that goes from the bracket to the intake manifold, there should also be a ground wire here.. make sure to keep any wires removed, marked
* remove a/c line support bracket (little bracket on the metal hoses.. takes a 1/4 socket)
* remove the four 6" bolts that hold the compressor down to the bracket.. now you should be able to swing the a/c out of the way without decompressing the system
* now you'll have the bracket exposed and will have several (7-10) bolts to remove that hold the bracket to the motor... keep them in order because there is like four different lengths
* pull the bracket out and you'll see the 5" long 1" diameter hose..
since your truck is 7 years old and you got it this far apart, you might as well replace the water pump while you are there.
good luck!!
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corjunk
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/08/2005
22:17:29
| RE: Coolant leak behind big bracket
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Message:
Also have a good look at your timing cover gasket,they leak from the right side coolant passage.
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Elliot Naess
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/09/2005
00:02:58
| RE: Coolant leak behind big bracket
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Message:
This sounds doable. Thanks a bunch!
Elliot
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pete
Dodge Dakota
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5/09/2005
04:53:56
| RE: Coolant leak behind big bracket
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Message:
you dont need to take ALL that stuff off. just unbolt the accessory bracket from the timing cover/heads.. and push it up out of the way a enough to get at the hose clamps. the a/c lines are pretty flexible if youre careful. ive had my compressor sitting next to my crank pulley, and on the passenger fender.
its not much work to take the alternator and a/c off the bracket... but im shady and dont do anything i dont have to.
pete
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Timberwolf
GenIII
5/09/2005
17:43:56
| RE: Coolant leak behind big bracket
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Message:
I've found over the years that it actually saves time to take more stuff off and give yourself more room to work. You won't lose as many tools, scrape as many knuckles, and you'll cuss alot less.
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Elliot Naess
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/11/2005
20:04:06
| RE: Coolant leak behind big bracket
IP: Logged
Message:
Follow up:
It was the bypass hose all right. And it was in FAR worse condition than the other hoses. Perhaps because it lives in a hot spot?
So now we know that the bypass hose needs to be replaced preventively long before we think it may need it.
Thanks for all the help!
Elliot
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