Expert: Ben Deutschman - 10/2/2006

Question
I have a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. For the last 3 mornings I have used the heater. When I leave work in the afternoon I notice a small puddle of water under the vehicle, located towards the rear of the engine compartment. I am sure it is water as I have checked it each time. The only thing I can think of is it's coming from the heater, but I thought only the AC leaked water. Please help. I don't want to waste a lot of money at the dealer. Thanks!

Answer
If the liquid is green in color, or has a sweet smell to it, than it is anti-freeze. Usually though, the way most modern vehicles are constructed, the Heater Core will pee all over the interior carpet, long before it'll ever leak through a drain to the outside. It is also possible that the moisture is just from condensation that has built up in the drain overnight, and has nothing to do with the Heater Core, or your vehicle's A/C system.