Liquid Leak

[Ramets]

Noticed fluid leaking from the front of my 2000 DSDP yesterday. It's coming from around a large black box mounted to the firewall on the front of the coach.(Under the hood). I'm assuming it's refrigerant for the A/C system since on the front of the box it says, High Pressure Refrigeration System. Is my assumption correct? And since I'm nowhere near any hot weather, I'm also assuming it won't hurt anything to leave it be til we get back down to the lower 48. Am I right?

[Rotten-Red]

I would think it's more likely to be engine coolant. Check to see if the color is the same as in your radiator recovery tank. I doubt a/c refrigerant would come out as a liquid. I think it would turn to a vapor as it leaked out.

[Ramets]

That was my first thought, but the water coming out is cold. I did have the heat on in the morning coming south from Smithers,BC. So if it is a coolant leak wouldn't it be hot?

[BFlinn181]

A/C refrigerant would escape as a gas, with a little oily residue. It also would not be in a square box. I assume DSDP refers to Double Slide, Diesel Pusher. I've not seen coolant reservoir in front on a 'pusher' only in back near the radiator. What does the fluid look like? smell? It could be the hydraulic fluid reservoir for your jacks or slides. I'd sure want to know for sure before driving back from Alaska. It gets pretty remote along that route.

[Ramets]

Yes it is a diesel pusher. The coolant recovery tank is in the rear. The fluid has no color or smell. It looks just like water which is what I think it is. It's sort of like the water that leaks from your A/C on a car on a hot day after you've stopped. I checked my coolant level and it's fine, it's certainly not hydraulic fluid. I'm at a loss to explain it. When we leave here I'll try not turning on any heat to see if that has anything to do with it. Any other ideas would be most welcome.

[Rotten-Red]

If the heater was putting out heat then I would say yes the liquid should be hot coming out if it's engine coolant. Could you see what color the liquid was? If it's coming from the Evans heater box on the firewall it almost has to be coolant. Your HWH tank is down low on the left looking in for hydraulics.

[BFlinn181]

That box is probably your heater A/C system. I would agree water could be from A/C condensation. Question is why if you're not using A/C. It could have been trapped and sloshed due to travel. If so, that means the drain is plugged. You'll have to find where the drain hose from the A/C evaporator is. I had a car that would periodically plug up. Over a gallon of water would collect until it sloshed onto the floor. Then I'd have to disconnect and blow it out again. It might be under the hood, or under the dash near the A/C Heater box.

["007"]

Here is the EVANS AC/Heater unit should give you an idea where drain hose is located.
Here is the Evans wiring spec's.

[Rotten-Red]

From the way you describe the liquid it does sound like frost melting off the evaporator coil. Did you have your heater control in the heat only position? Or did you have it in the defroster position? When in defroster position it also runs your a/c compressor to dehumidify the air. Then after shut down the evaporator coil defrosted just like running your a/c. (maybe-just an idea')

[Ramets]

Yeah BFlinn181, there is a drain tube, I blew into it and it's clear. Whatever the problem is, it isn't coolant or hydraulic fluid, so it's not terminal. Maybe it's my heater A/C control that's running both heat and A/C at the same time.....although that's a stretch. Whatever it is it'll just have to wait til we get back to civilization. But if there's anymore ideas...keep 'em coming.

[Ramets]

007, I did a google search of "Evans A/C heater Unit for RV" and lo and behold it brought up a very old thread from this web site. It even had you replying. I feel better now. I believe it's the Evans valve that's going bad, and it is condensation that's dripping. I'm going to play around with it tomorrow on the road and see if the A/C works properly. Then the heat. I think it'll be a simple fix once were settled in for the winter. Thanks everyone!!!!!

[BFlinn181]

When my auto would get stopped up, slime would accumulate in the A/C box. I'd have to shove a long zip tie or blow air into it to get it unclogged. I'm suggesting the blockage could be up from the drain tube.

["007"]

Enjoy your stay in the state of Alaska was there in the 50's for a couple years, traveled through out the state and railroad.

[Ramets]

Yeah it's been a hoot up here. Spent a little over 3mos. just on the Kenai Peninsula. Beautiful scenery, but even better fishing. Outside freezer is full of Sockeye filets. Even sent about 40lbs. to my dtrs. But just like all good things they come to an end. But the memories will last forever!!!!