doolyd

2013 Ford F150 FX4 - 60,000 miles. Noticed an orange-ish color from the puddle of water from the ac drain line when I parked last night. Girlfriend text me and said the spot was still there so it looks like coolant is indeed part of this.


Is this heater core - if so average cost to replace
Evaporator Leak - if so average cost to replace

Best way to diagnose?

Or something else. I haven't noticed a smell from the vents but I will pay more attention on my way home tonight.

I really feel like neither of these things should be happening at such low mileage but story of my life I guess. 800 miles just outside my extended warranty.

Eric M

Coolant=heater core. Evap core would leak the PAG oil in the A/C system.

You can do a cooling system pressure test to confirm it's leaking.

Not sure what it costs to pay someone to replace, probably $1000 to $1500 I'm guessing. The dash has to come out.

diegoo.jayjay

When my water pump went out, the coolant dripped out behind the wheel. Took me a while to find the leak but check that too. Also check any hoses that go to the heater core

Spiky

Mine appears to be leaking from everywhere, but I think I've traced it all back to the T-connector up front of the water pump.

If yours is the heater core, it is buried in the dash. Nightmare. But water pump area is more common.

doolyd

Well did another inspection and it seems to be leaking on the passenger floor board as well. Guessing it is the evaporator core. Spoke to a tech who said heater cores on newer trucks not likely to go out but on older ones yes. More likely evaporator core which is the more expensive fix.

I won't know until I get it looked at.

Edit, didn't see the response above. Not sure why the tech told me that. I guess heater core. Still a pain the butt.

doolyd

So next question, do you go ahead and replace both the heater core and evap core since you are essentially doing what it takes to get to both? Quotes from $1100 - $1300 just heater core.

It was mentioned that doing all that work again if evap core went out would suck.

Missmy06

Honestly, if you are planning on keeping this truck for a long time I would do both just because of the labor involved. If you are going to get rid of it in a couple years just do the heater core.

RLXXI

This^^
.

PerryB

Evap. isn't going to produce an orange drip. It has to be the heater.

soaringfalcon

iTrader: (1)

Agree, since 90% of the cost is labor, have them replace both while they have everything together, and if you have dual climate controls, have them replace the bottom (driver side) Blend Door Actuator as well, as preventative maintenance while they're at it.