1998 Suburban Water Leak

jmatt · November 26, 2014

My 1998 Suburban 2500 w/454, air cond, auto Just started few weeks ago, every time I start the vehicle it will drip a small amount of water. I've owned this since new and has never done this before. It will only leak for about a minute and only the first time it's started for the day. After the first start of the day it will not leak again. Took to dealer and they blamed it on leaving the air cond. button on. Charged me $117. Went home made sure button was off and it still does it every morning when I start the vehicle. Seems to be clear water so one may assume it's air cond. related but it has never done this in the past. It looks to be originating from where the block meets the head at the front of the passenger side of the motor.

Doug_Scott · November 27, 2014

This may sound strange, but, touch the liquid and taste it. If it is sweet tasting, it is engine coolant. If it has no real taste, and can be wiped on a piece of glass, then wiped off easily with no residue, it will be condensation of some form.

If sweet tasting, take a close look behind the pulley on the water pump for a small hole on the lower side. Is it dry there? If it is wet, then the water pump is leaking. Very common for water pumps to leak out this vent, but only under very exact conditions. Rarely a constant leak.

Coolant leak from the engine will usually show up under a pressure test. You may need to try the pressure test on both a hot and cold engine.

If this is from the A/C, it will be coming from the heater box, not the engine. There should be a rubber tube on the firewall that appears to have a closed off end on it. If you squeeze the crimped end, it will open and water will come out. They sometimes plug up.

jmatt · November 29, 2014

Thanks for the information. I will try the methods you mentioned. I'm just a very part time mechanic and what you have suggested seems easy and quick. Thank you for the reply. Time to do a little taste testing. lol